Flydubai flight FZ981 crash update

The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) reported that the investigation team together with UAE and USA experts continues to work on the collection and analysis of information.

Germanwings crash probe questions pilots’ medical privacy rights

By Ania Nussbaum, Angeline Benoit and Andrea Rothman (Bloomberg). Pilots with mental health issues shouldn’t enjoy the same privacy rights as other people because of the threat posed to passenger safety, according to the final report into last year’s Germanwings crash that killed 150 people when a jet was deliberately flown into a French mountainside. Authorities should … Read more

MH370: possible Boeing 777 part found off Mozambique

Investigators probing the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 are examining an object found off the coast of Mozambique they suspect came from the missing Boeing 777, a person familiar with the investigation said. The piece turned up on a sandbank in Mozambique Channel where debris from the Indian Ocean washes up, according to the … Read more

ICAO Council prohibits lithium-ion cargo shipments on passenger aircraft

The 36-State ICAO Governing Council adopted a new aviation safety measure which prohibits, on an interim basis, all shipments of Lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft. “Safety is always our most fundamental priority in international civil aviation,” stressed Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO Council President. “This interim prohibition will continue to be in force … Read more

FAA proposes seven civil penalties against DHL for alleged hazardous materials violations

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes seven civil penalties totaling $455,000 against DHL Express (USA) for allegedly violating Hazardous Materials Regulations. In each case, the FAA alleges the company accepted shipments that were not properly prepared for air transportation, and failed to ensure its employees or agents received required hazardous materials training. … Read more

NTSB Issues Safety Recommendations about lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft

The National Transportation Safety Board issued two safety recommendations Tuesday to physically separate lithium batteries from other flammable hazardous materials stowed on cargo aircraft and to establish maximum loading density requirements that restrict the quantities of lithium batteries and flammable hazardous materials. These safety recommendations, addressed to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, are … Read more

UPDATE: Bristow helicopter involved in water landing at Lagos

On February 3, 2016, shortly after 10 a.m. local time, the crew of Bristow S76C++ helicopter 5N-BQJ elected to make a precautionary landing of the aircraft on water while en-route from an offshore location to Lagos. After landing, the crew assisted nine passengers to board the life rafts directly from the cabin. The aircraft was … Read more