Flight Safety Foundation Flight Safety Digest 1992

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December 1992

Small Airline Continues to Win Big Battle Against Aircraft Ground Icing 36 pages. [PDF 440K]

A series of recent fatal air transport accidents attributed to icing has brought regulatory changes and increased awareness of the danger of aircraft ground icing. One operator, Finnair, has had a highly successful deicing program in operation for several years.

November 1992

The Role of Feedback in the Airline Industry 20 pages. [PDF 215K]

Icarus, the mythological aviator, fell to his death as a consequence of poor judgment, inadequate structural design and ignorance of the flight environment — weaknesses that continue to challenge modern-day aviators. However, sophisticated flight data recording systems now make it possible to gather vital information that can be analyzed and used to manage risk and enhance safety. To this end, the Flight Safety Foundation is leading an industry-wide effort in the United States on the benefits of flight data analysis, which has been accepted and proven by many non-U.S. airlines.

October 1992

Passenger Perceptions of Airline Safety: Marketing Safety Records 16 pages. [PDF 147K]

A survey of four airline passenger groups suggests that the public wants more information about airline safety and would accept airline marketing based on safety performance. Although the air carrier industry has become crippled in today’s economy, the 1991 survey identifies several significant perceptions of air travelers.

September 1992

Survey Reveals Age and Pathology Trends For Medically Disqualified Airline Pilots 20 pages. [PDF 185K]

Studies of U.S. Federal Aviation Administration data show cardiovascular disease to be the leading cause of medical certification denials for airline pilots above the age of 45.

August 1992

Cooperation in the Analysis of Data and the Improvement of Aircraft Engine Safety 20 pages. [PDF 171K]

Although engine failure rates are low, uncontained failures remain a serious concern.

July 1992

Special Supplement: Maintaining High Safety Standards in the Turbulent ’90s. Proceedings of the 4th annual European Corporate and Regional Aircraft Operators Safety Seminar (ECARAOSS) 130 pages. [PDF 764K]

The 4th annual ECARAOSS featured 19 presentations on safety issues of interest to the worldwide aviation safety community. They are presented here as a special supplement to the FSF Flight Safety Digest.

June 1992

Preliminary Study Confirms That Pilots Die at Younger Age Than General Population 17 pages. [PDF 172K]

Evidence indicates that mortality is higher immediately after retirement and loss-of-license disability claims are linked to specific age-related causes.

May 1992

Hostage-taking and Terrorism 20 pages. [PDF 154K]

Terrorism is a guerrilla war we cannot win — but dare not lose.

April 1992

Workload in the Glass Cockpit 20 pages. [PDF 162K]

Increasing sophistication in electronic flight instrumentation and systems has redefined the role of the pilot.

March 1992

Six Hours and 26 Minutes into a Four Hour, 40 Minute Flight 25 pages. [PDF 173K]

The stage is set for disaster when a weary international crew assumes that air traffic control is aware that a fuel emergency exists.

February 1992

News Media Becomes Friend and Foe in Accident Reporting 16 page. [PDF 145K]

Sensationalism and inaccuracies in media coverage of aviation accidents often result from tight deadlines and inexperienced reporters. Aviation spokespersons who establish a relationship with the media can help reporters to better understand aviation technical facts before a crisis occurs.

January 1992

Accident and Incident Investigation in Soviet Practice 28 pages. [PDF 183K]

A two-pronged safety effort combines the investigation of both accidents and incidents to spread the data base and increase the potential for preventing future accidents.