New FAA rule prohibits takeoffs with 'polished frost'

by B.N. Sullivan

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that prohibits takeoffs with “polished frost” — frost buffed to make it smooth — on the wings, stabilizers and control surfaces of several classes of aircraft. The new rule applies to aircraft operated under 14 CFR Part 91 subpart F, and Parts 125 and 135, and makes those operations consistent with Part 121 with respect to its prohibition on operations with polished frost.

The FAA summarizes the new Final Rule this way:

This final rule removes language from part 91 subpart F, and parts 125 and 135, which permits aircraft to takeoff with frost that has been polished to make it smooth (“polished frost”) on critical surfaces. Under the final rule, operators will be required to remove any frost adhering to critical surfaces prior to takeoff.

Additionally, the rule restructures language in parts 91, 125, and 135 to clarify that aircraft must have functioning deicing or anti-icing equipment to fly under IFR into known or forecast light or moderate icing conditions, or under VFR into known light or moderate icing conditions.

The new rules become effective on January 30, 2010. According to the FAA, there are 57 operators flying 188 aircraft affected by the rule changes.

Today the FAA issued a press release in conjunction with announcement of the new rule, which said, in part:

Frost can affect the aerodynamics of wings and control surfaces, and the safest action is to completely remove it. Previous FAA guidance recommended removing all wing frost prior to takeoff, but allowed it to be polished smooth if the aircraft manufacturer’s recommended procedures were followed. But manufacturers never published standards of acceptable smoothness for polished frost, and the FAA has no data to determine exactly how to polish frost to satisfactory smoothness.

“The FAA has advised pilots not to take off with frost or ice contaminating their wings for years because it made good sense,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Now, it’s the law.”

Here is the link to the full text of the new rule: Removal of Regulations Allowing for Polished Frost - 27-page 'PDF' file

UPDATE Dec. 3, 2009: A reader alerted me to the fact that the link to the new rule, displayed above, no longer works. Here is the link the FAA Press release about the new rule banning takeoffs with polished frost; the press release contains a brief summary of the rule. The link at the bottom of that press release is the same as the one I have posted above, and it does appear to be broken at this time. I'm hoping that is a temporary situation.

Meanwhile, here is a link to an alternate source for the new FAA rule. The text of the rule begins about halfway down the left hand column of this 7-page 'pdf' document.

Taxiway collision at Salt Lake City: Southwest Airlines B737 and FedEx DC-10

by B. N. Sullivan

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 (registration N925WN) and a FedEx DC-10 (registration N318FE) were involved in a taxiway collision at Salt Lake City International Airport yesterday afternoon, November 29, 2009. The Southwest plane was pushing back from a gate in preparation for departure to Albuquerque when its wingtip was struck by that of the FedEx aircraft, which was taxiing. Passengers were evacuated from the Southwest aircraft. There were no injuries.

According to preliminary reports posted to the FAA Web site this morning, both aircraft sustained what the agency described as "minor" damage. Photos taken at the scene show the Southwest aircraft's right wing missing its winglet. (See this article and video clip from KOB.com in Albuquerque, and the one below, from KSL.com in Salt Lake City.)

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on KSL.com.

Hat tip to the reader who alerted me to this accident.

Avient Aviation MD-11 freighter accident at Shanghai

by B.N. Sullivan

An MD-11 freighter operated by Avient Aviation crashed and burned at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG) this morning, November 28, 2009. At the time of the accident, the aircraft (registration Z-BAV) was departing Shanghai for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as Flight Z3-324. A statement on the Avient Aviation Web site confirms that there were seven crew members on board the flight. News reports say that three crew members perished as a result of the accident, and the remaining four are hospitalized with various injuries.

According to news media, the aircraft overran Pudong's runway 35R during its takeoff roll. It is unclear at this time whether the aircraft had rotated before crashing, or if the accident resulted from a rejected takeoff.

The accident MD-11F was said to have been recently acquired by Avient.

Condolences to the families and friends of the crew members who lost their lives in this accident. Best wishes to the injured crew members for complete and speedy recovery.

UPDATE Nov. 29, 2009: The Aviation Herald reports:  "A Shanghai based pilot witnessing the crash said, that the main gear left the ground just before the end of the runway, the airplane however did not climb more than 10 feet, impacted approach lights and antennas and fell back onto the ground."

The 'black boxes' have been recovered from the wreckage.

Northwest Flight 188 incident: ATC audio and transcripts released by FAA

by B. N. Sullivan

You may have read some news reports today about the FAA's release of air traffic control audio and transcripts related to the incident in October in which Northwest Airlines Flight 188 was NORDO for over an hour and overflew Minneapolis, its destination -- also known as the 'laptop pilots' incident. I'm on vacation this week, but thought I'd pop in to post the link to the FAA page where readers of Aircrew Buzz can find those audio files and the transcripts: FAA: Northwest Airlines Flight 188.

For a quick summary of the information contained in the recordings and transcripts, check out this article on FlightGlobal.com.

Gulfstream's new G650 business jet completes maiden flight

by B.N. Sullivan

It was an exciting day in Savannah: The new Gulfstream G650 completed its first flight. The the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650, the newest and fastest business jet produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 1:41 p.m. local time today, and landed 12 minutes later.

At the controls of the aircraft (N650GA) were Gulfstream experimental test pilot Jake Howard and senior experimental test pilot Tom Horne. Also on board was flight engineer Bill Osborne.

“We are pleased to announce that the G650 successfully completed its first flight today,” Pres Henne said in a statement to the press. Mr. Henne is senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, at Gulfstream.

“Systems were fully operational. The aircraft achieved an altitude of 6,600 feet and a speed of 170 knots. Flight controls and characteristics performed as expected. We consider this flight a success and look forward to pursuing our full flight-test plan,” Henne said.

The crew reported "a slight vibration in a landing-gear door," so they cut the flight short from the original plan as a precautionary measure.

The Gulfstream G650 was formally rolled out of the hangar under its own power for the first time on September 29, 2009. (Here is a link to the video of the G650 rollout.)

According to information provided by Gulfstream:

The G650 offers the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. Powered by best-in-class Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the business jet is capable of traveling 7,000 nautical miles at 0.85 Mach and has a maximum operating speed of 0.925 Mach.

Its 7,000-nautical-mile range means the G650 can fly nonstop from Dubai to Chicago.

With an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet at 0.85 Mach, the G650 can climb to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet and avoid traffic and inclement weather.

With its all-new aerodynamically optimized wing, the G650 can meet the latest takeoff certification requirements. At maximum takeoff weight, the aircraft can depart from a 6,000-foot runway.

Additionally, notes Gulfstream, the G650 features the PlaneView™ II cockpit, the most advanced flight deck in business aviation, and an Advanced Health and Trend Monitoring System (AHTMS) to support aircraft maintenance planning and enhance availability.

Sounds like quite a cool airplane!

Here is a link to Gulfstream's G650 Web page where you can find several photos of the aircraft, and a video of its first flight.

[Photo Source]

Australian Transport Safety Bureau issues interim reports on two Qantas accidents

by B. N. Sullivan

During the past week, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released interim updates on the investigations of two separate accidents involving aircraft operated by Qantas.

QF 30 depressurization, January 25, 2008

The ATSB issued an interim factual report on the investigation into the depressurization of a Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft, registration VH-OJK, on July 25, 2008. That aircraft, operating as Qantas Flight QF30, was en-route from Hong Kong to Melbourne; it diverted to Manila where it made a safe emergency landing. Once on the ground, a large hole in the fuselage was discovered. The ATSB concluded that the failure of an oxygen cylinder damaged the pressure hull and led the depressurization.

The newest report focused on a series of tests carried out on several oxygen cylinders from the same manufacturing lot as the failed cylinder, intended to replicate the failure. The ATSB reports that the "various tests have not been able to replicate the cylinder failure that initiated the accident." The ATSB says:

To date, all pressure tests of the cylinders met or exceeded the relevant safety specifications, with recorded rupture pressures being over twice the maximum working pressure of the cylinders.

The investigation continues, and a final report is expected in early 2010.

Link: Depressurisation – 475 km north-west of Manila, Philippines – 25 July 2008 - Interim Factual No. 2 - 8-page 'PDF' file 

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Qantas Flt 30 on Aircrew Buzz.

QF 72 in-flight upset, October 7, 2008

The ATSB also issued a second interim factual report on its investigation into an in-flight upset involving a Qantas Airbus A330-303, registration VH-QPA, on October 7, 2008. The aircraft, operating as Qantas Flight QF 72, was en route from Singapore to Perth when it experienced two uncommanded pitch-down events. The flight diverted to Learmonth, Western Australia, where it landed safely.

The new report describes tests carried out in an attempt to discover what caused anomalous behavior of the aircraft's No. 1 Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (ADIRU), which led to the upset. The tests were inconclusive. The ATSB says:

Despite extensive testing and analysis, the reason why the ADIRU started providing erroneous data (spikes) during the 7 October 2008 flight (or the 27 December 2008 flight) has not been identified to date. Nevertheless, the crew operational procedures that were provided by Airbus in October 2008 (and modified in December 2008 and January 2009) significantly reduced the chance of another in-flight upset by limiting the time that a faulty ADIRU could output angle of attack spikes. Airbus is also modifying the FCPC software used in the A330/A340 fleets to prevent angle of attack spikes leading to an in-flight upset.

The ATSB expects to release a final report into this accident in the second quarter of 2010.

Link: In-flight upset 154 km west of Learmonth, WA, 7 October 2008 - 10-page 'PDF' file

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Qantas Flt 72 on Aircrew Buzz. 

ALPA to Congress: Tighter restrictions on lithium batteries, please

by B. N. Sullivan

Earlier this week, a representative of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials regarding the union's position on the shipment of lithium batteries aboard commercial aircraft. Mark Rogers, who is the director of ALPA’s Dangerous Goods Program, gave testimony in support of the Hazardous Material Transportation Act of 2009 (H.R. 4016), proposed legislation that would place tighter restrictions on the shipment of lithium batteries.

Rogers, who is a First Officer with United Airlines, told subcommittee members, “If lithium batteries shipped aboard airliners are damaged, defective, or improperly packaged, a fire may occur, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences. To mitigate this risk, it is necessary to remove the exceptions in place today and (fully) regulate lithium batteries as a hazardous material, including provisions for enhanced marking, labeling, testing, and packaging requirements.”

Rogers stressed that notification to the pilot in command also is essential. Responding to a question from a subcommittee member, Rogers described a scenario in which a shipment of lithium batteries could be placed next to flammable paint, which is fully regulated and classified as a dangerous good. The crew in this example would be notified about the location and quantity of the paint, but not the potential incendiary device sitting next to it.

“At least six additional fires involving lithium batteries aboard aircraft or in packages prepared for air transport have been documented since I testified before this subcommittee in May,” said Rogers. He also noted that nearly two years have passed since the NTSB issued recommendations to subcommittee to remove regulatory exceptions for lithium batteries.

Here are the links to the text of the oral testimony and written submission presented to Congress by Mark Rogers, on behalf of ALPA.

[Photo Source]

Court orders Cathay Pacific Airways to pay millions to wrongfully dismissed pilots

by B. N. Sullivan

A Hong Kong High Court judge has ruled that Cathay Pacific Airways, Ltd. unfairly fired and defamed 18 pilots in 2001, and has ordered the carrier to pay the pilots HK$58.7 million -- an amount equivalent to nearly US$8 million. The pilots were among 49 who were fired by Cathay during a labor dispute. The fired pilots became known as the 49ers.

According to an article about the court ruling on BBC News, the pilots were fired when they started a work-to-rule campaign. The pilots told the court they were often made to fly longer than agreed hours, with not enough breaks between flights.

Although the airline claimed that the pilots were dismissed due to frequent sick days and a negative attitude toward management, the judge ruled that "the predominant reason for the plaintiffs' termination by Cathay was their perceived participation in union activities."

Hong Kong news Web site The Standard reported that Court of First Instance Judge Anselmo Reyes said:

"What I derive is that the 49ers were principally dismissed because management was unable to make headway in last-minute negotiations with the union.

"Cathay's intention was to show union members that management was prepared to take tough action against pilots who participated in MSS [Maximum Safety Strategy, a form of limited industrial action].

"The 49ers were singled out by the review panel as persons who by reason of their sickness records and ostensibly argumentative character were probably the most active supporters of the union cause.

"By dismissing them, Cathay hoped to send a strong signal to other union members to comply with management's line or else face a similar fate as the 49ers."

Bloomberg.com reports that, of the 18 plaintiff pilots, 16 were awarded HK$3.3 million in damages for defamation and HK$150,000 for wrongful dismissal each. One pilot didn’t get awarded damages for defamation and one didn’t get damages for wrongful dismissal. The pilots also were awarded their legal costs.

One of the 18 plaintiff pilots died in 2002. The Standard says that the deceased pilot's family "will not be compensated for defamation, but like the others will receive HK$150,000 for wrongful dismissal in addition to a month's pay."

The other 31 pilots who were fired at the same time also sued, but according to BBC News, they settled with the carrier at an earlier date.