AeroSafety World November 2011

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Entire Issue
 

AeroSafety World November 2011
68 pages. [PDF 6.4M]

Aircraft manufacturers provide different performance values and models to determine braking performance for landing on contaminated runways, but they acknowledge that there is no correlation between runway friction measurements and aircraft braking performance. A new report on events on contaminated and slippery runways has been published by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN).

The report discusses factors that likely influence the mismatch between aircraft braking coefficients and runway friction coefficients, including regulatory climate, limitations of friction measurements, meteorology, runway treatment and operational aspects. The November AeroSafety World cover story discusses in detail the contaminated runway braking considerations raised by the AIBN report.

Other articles in the latest ASW include cabin safety CRM, the illusions that caused a Super Puma helicopter to strike the water short of its offshore platform destination, radio communication interruption and electronic disruptions caused by “space weather” in the polar regions, a report on the Winter Operations conference, and more.

Features
 

Can You Stop? (Text only)

There was no correlation between aircraft braking coefficient and the measured or estimated runway friction coefficient in 30 Norwegian runway accidents and incidents over the past 10 years, a study has shown. The report on events on contaminated and slippery runways was published by the Accident Investigation Board Norway. [Download PDF 4 pages. 497K]

Valuable Intelligence (Text only)

The 3-Kelvin-spread rule, an aviation rule of thumb for winter operations, can enhance pilots’ sense of the actual landing risk level by calling attention to the likelihood that aircraft braking performance will not meet pre-landing calculations. The rule takes advantage of information readily available from aviation routine weather reports, and its potential value has been recognized in the recent report of an investigation of winter operations by the Accident Investigation Board Norway. [Download PDF 4 pages. 332K]

The Big Chill (Text only)

Winter conditions annually promise — and unfailingly deliver — snow, ice, freezing rain, contaminated runways, frost and other predictable hazards to aviation. As with other threats, modern technology offers mitigation. But the ultimate defense rests on individuals performing their work with “lessons learned” firmly in mind, as several speakers at the two-day International Winter Operations Conference pointed out. [Download PDF 4 pages. 342K]

Watery Illusions (Text only)

Pilots of a Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma were afflicted with visual and sensory illusions and may have been confused by the reflection of an energy production platform on the water when their helicopter descended to the surface of the North Sea during an approach to the platform, accident investigators say. [Download PDF 5 pages. 512K]

Flash of Light (Text only)

Authorities blame the increased availability of relatively cheap high‑powered laser pointers for a surge in laser strikes on aircraft. Although lasting eye damage caused by laser cockpit illumination is rare — perhaps eight such injuries in 30 years — there are numerous reports of distraction and temporary visual disruptions such as the flash blindness experienced. [Download PDF 3 pages. 247K]

No Turning Back (Text only)

The Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration credits strong airline support and a joint industry-government approach for today’s wide acceptance of its strategy, methods and products. [Download PDF 4 pages. 300K]

Verge of Consciousness (Text Only)

An improperly adjusted safety switch that rendered the aircraft’s pressurization system inoperative, an incorrectly wired cabin altitude warning switch that disabled a warning light and the pilot’s ineffective systems monitoring while distracted by an autopilot problem early in the flight were among the factors that led to a dangerous encounter with hypoxia, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. [Download PDF 4 pages. 288K]

Everyone’s Business (Text Only)

Maximum activity in the sun’s current 11-year cycle likely will occur in May 2013. By then, aircraft operators conducting flights on polar routes might not be the only aviation industry segment affected by scenarios that only recently seemed like science fiction. [Download PDF 4 pages. 183K]

More Than A Door (Text only)

Over the past 20 years, numerous dramatic accidents and incidents have highlighted the dangers of inadequate cockpit-cabin coordination and communication. Despite years of CRM training, barriers still inhibit cockpit-cabin information flows. [Download PDF 4 pages. 166K]

Departments
 

Editorial Page | Fear of Damage (Text only)

For the sake of this discussion, it is fairly accurate to say there are two types of journalists who might write a story about aviation safety, or the lack thereof. [Download PDF 1 page. 86K]

Executive’s Message | Protect the Data (Text only)

First, I have to agree in principle on the protections of CVR data. The Foundation has been vocal on occasions when these data were released for shock value during questionable legal proceedings. [Download PDF 2 pages. 118K]

Safety Calendar | Industry Events (Text only)

A listing of aviation safety-related conferences, seminars and meetings. [Download PDF 1 page. 62K]

In Brief | Safety News (Text only)

Officials from the European Union and Russia say their first aviation summit, held in October in St. Petersburg, Russia, provided a “solid platform” for discussions aimed at building international cooperation in civil aviation. [Download PDF 3 pages. 231K]

Data Link | Zero Gained (Text only)

Taiwan’s civil aviation accident record for transport category airplanes over the 2000–2009 period shows a single fatal accident each in the commercial jet and turboprop categories. Of 34 occurrences — accidents and incidents — during the 10 years, the largest number happened in the landing phase of flight. [Download PDF 4 pages. 445K]

Info Scan | The Restless Flight Attendant (Text only)

Fatigue has emerged as an important safety issue among airplane crews, including cabin crewmembers, who are the “last line of defense” in some accident scenarios. [Download PDF 5 pages. 548K]

On Record | High Speed + Tail Wind + Wet Runway = Overrun (Text only)

The following information provides an awareness of problems in the hope that they can be avoided in the future. The information is based on final reports by official investigative authorities on aircraft accidents and incidents. [Download PDF 8 pages. 408K]

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