Page 9 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2013 Online Magazine

NEWS

uPS crash still a
mystery
The UPS Airbus A300 cargo aircraft
that crashed, killing two pilots as
it was approaching the runway at
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth airport in
Alabama, adds to the recent worrying
tally of landing accidents in the US.
The aircraft reportedly hit trees in
an adjacent residential area before
smashing into an embankment short
of the runway and breaking up. The US
National Transportation Safety Bureau
(NTSB) has retrieved and is inspecting
the flight recorders but has not yet
given any idea of the causes of the
fatal crash, although according to the
NTSB’s Robert Sumwalt, a preliminary
review of the voice and data recorders
has shown a full data set is available
for analysis. Initial reports indicate a
cockpit warning of too-steep a descent
rate seconds before impact. However, China Legacy 650 maiden flight
other reports say the airport control The first Legacy 650 assembled in China has successfully completed its maiden
tower received no unusual or off flight- flight. Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry (HEAI), Embraer’s joint venture with Aviation
path warnings. Initial investigations Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), plans to deliver its first Legacy 650 by end of
have ruled out an engine fire, and no 2013. Yuri Capi, President of HEAI, said that the successful flight was the fruit of the
Mayday was sent by pilots. No other unique Brazil-Sino collaboration and the hard work of all parties concerned. “The
fire or pre-crash damage was observed maiden flight is of special significance to HEAI, as it demonstrates to the market
– but the accident appears to follow a that [we are] fully capable and ready to offer customers high-quality executive jets
remarkably similar profile to the Asiana assembled here in China,” he said. Embraer’s test pilots flew the aircraft for over two
crash at San Francisco Airport in July hours. “The successful maiden flight of HEAI’s first Legacy 650 marks an important
this year when the pilots’ approach milestone not only in the Embraer-AVIC partnership, but also in the history of the
allowed the aircraft to hit a sea wall Chinese executive aviation industry,” said Guan Dongyuan, SVP of Embraer and
before careening down the runway. President of Embraer China.

Locator beacon issues continue
Following a fire on board an Ethiopian gets too hot or drains too much current
Airlines 787 at Heathrow recently, – the most likely cause of a fire. Indeed,
checks have revealed wiring faults on the same kind of Honeywell ELTs have
Honeywell-sourced 787 emergency recorded millions of hours to date with
locator transmitters (ELTs) on other no recorded failures, and even fewer
airlines. Both ANA and United Airlines self-combustion incidents. However,
and have found problems with pinched reports indicate that the other suspect
wires and potential moisture build-up ELTs have been removed and returned
through condensation on several of to the manufacturer for inspection. The
their Dreamliners. Industry chatter is US-based Accident Inspection Bureau
pointing to the different characteristics noted that around 6,000 ELTs are
and behaviour of the composite aircraft currently installed on a range of aircraft
skin as a potential cause; the devices as a backup for the black box locators
contain a current limiter (like a fuse) carried as standard in all aircraft. The
that should cut off battery current if it investigation continues.

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