Flight Safety Foundation Aviation Mechanics Bulletin 2000

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November–December 2000

Survey Assesses Safety Attitudes of Aviation Maintenance Personnel In Australia 24 pages. [PDF 762]

An analysis of responses reveals that the most frequent unsafe acts are procedural shortcuts, misunderstandings and memory lapses.

September–October 2000

Improperly Installed Trim Actuators Blamed for Takeoff Accident 20 pages. [PDF 1,199K]

The improper reinstallation of the horizontal stabilizer-trim actuators by an inexperienced maintenance technician and the crew chief’s subsequent failure to detect the mistake led to the pilots’ loss of pitch control and an accident that destroyed a Beech King Air.

July–August 2000

Fatal Accident Shows Risk of Using Blind Rivets 16 pages. [PDF 502K]

In-flight separation of the vertical fin from a Eurocopter BK 117 was accelerated by the use of blind rivets in place of solid rivets during installation of a replacement part.

May–June 2000

Technicians Receive Minimal Guidance From Operators, Regulators for Managing Some Maintenance 20 pages. [PDF 1,095K]

Worldwide, aviation regulations generally do not provide rules for deferring unscheduled maintenance of some abnormal conditions on aircraft. Many maintenance organizations have no formal policies, procedures, standards or training for deferring unscheduled maintenance, and some maintenance personnel lack a complete understanding of the subject.

March–April 2000

Analysis of Airworthiness Describes Conformity, Safety as Key Elements 20 pages. [PDF 1,972K]

Meeting standards depends on regulatory authorities and manufacturers, as well as the maintenance community.

January–February 2000

Atmospheric Monitors Show Safety of Environment for Workers in Airplane Fuel Tanks 16 pages. [PDF 279K]

Sensors detect hazardous concentration of jet-fuel vapor and other toxic substances that present the risk of an explosion and endanger the health of maintenance technicians.