* Six times and hopefully not counting.

* Six times and hopefully not counting. With the fatal Aug. 31 crash of a Lineas Aereas Privadas Argentinas (LAPA) 737-200 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it has dispatched abroad its sixth "go" team of investigators this year. from comparison, from Jan. 1 to tribe 1 last year the Board had dispatched brace "go" teams to help investigate overseas accidents.

* Warnings of regulatory non-compliance:

April 24 1998: At completion of the exigency lighting modification FAA inspectors noted the discrepancies and advised the carrier.

April 29 1998: FAA ramp inspection finds same discrepancies and advises carrier.

May 4 1998: Ramp inspection cites continued deficiencies. American issues company-wide electronic mail message advising flight attendants to make additional announcement, after the passenger safety video, concerning the difficulty escape path lighting.

May 6 1998: FAA inspection of the airplane at O'Hare plant 53 seats with incorrect briefing cards and the cockpit and cabin band were unaware of the changes to the juncture lighting system.

Source: FAA Southwest Region ltr to American Airlines of July 20 1999

* Heavy hit. The FAA has issued a propos fine of nearly $400000 in succession American Airlines [AMR] for operating a 757 with seat back turn of events cards and a safety video that did not correctly match the floor lighting in the airplane. The pinch lighting had been modified from its original installation in the floor to a position higher forward the seats. The FAA alleges that any 36 flights were made in which the pre-flight safety briefings, the seat-back extremity information cards, the passenger safety briefing video and the cabin attendant safety manuals did not cast reproach the change. At $11,000 by flight violation, times 36 return flights, the FAA says it will "accept an exhibit of $396,000 to settle this matter."

A carrier official said, "We think the amount of the fine is inconsistent with the nature of the violation." Of interest, he said, this was the first of American's 757 to bear the floor lighting modification, and correct seat-back cards were in the airplane when it left the modification facility. The heavy fine may peduncle from prior warnings from FAA inspectors that went uncorrected.

* Special certification review. As part of its comprehensive investigation into the fatal 1994 crash of USAir Flight 427 at Pittsburgh, the NTSB make acceptableed a complete review of in what way the rudder power control unit (RPCU) came to be certified (see ASW, March 29) To succeed up on this recommendation, the FAA formed a "737 Flight restrain Engineering Test and Evaluation Board" to career a review of the 737 RPCU and potential failure degrees that could produce an uncommanded deflection.

The team has been meeting full-time since May 4 and is slated to occasion a report by March, 2000 Of the 19 team members, 6 are from Boeing [BA], 3 are from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), 3 are from the FAA, and united is from Southwest Airlines [LUV] the nation's largest 737 operator. As a requirement for appointment to this review, members must not have been heavily involved in the 737 rudder issue before. element system tests and, if necessary, flight ordeals are on the agenda of activity.

* Clean record recognized. Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines, has been awarded a lifetime membership in the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) for the record achieved by way of his airline. ASSE President Frank Perry declared, "Accident released since its inception 28 years ago, this award recognizes Herb Kelleher's leadership of Southwest Airlines in the promotion of public safety in the United States." Last year's winner was General Motors [GM] CEO Jack Smith, in recognition of his company's commitment to workplace safety. >> ASSE, tel 847/699-2929 <<

* Probing the pilot shortage. The Senate trade Aviation Subcommittee plans a field hearing in Montana race 10 at 9:00 a.m. forward the pilot shortage. Witness list and location of the Friday hearing to be announced this week. Check the committee website: www.senate.gov/~commerce, or contact Pia Pialorsi, tel 202/224-2670

* excitable maintenance issues. Phillips' Aviation clump hosts a oneday forum Oct 7 forward critical issues in maintenance. Panel topics include: protection from retribution when reporting safety puzzles in the shop, turn time and safety, and putting an period to pencil whipping (falsifying maintenance records to point out to that work was accomplished which in fact was not). Location: Washington Marriott Metro Center house of entertainment 775 12th St., NW, Washington, DC Special extent reservations rates available, tel. 800/228-9290 Registration fee: $395/person by means of Sept. 20 (early bird special), $445/person after that date. To register, tel 888/707-5811 via the Internet, www.phillips.com, or in [i]role[/i] at the conference.

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