Some Say There Are Limits To How Much More Air Safety Can Be Improved

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Posted on 2nd September 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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 It’s been a bad year so far for airline crashes, and it may be hard to keep that number down in the future, according to The Wall Street Journal Thursday.

In a story headlined “The Difficulty in Improving Air Safety Now,” The Journal reports that there have been 13 fatal crashes of passenger airlines through August this year, compared with 10 crashes for all of last year.  

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704791004575465503445748046.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_editorsPicks_3

And the 13 figure for this year doesn’t include military and private-plane fatal crashes.

But the gist of the story is that there may not be many more air safety improvements that can be made, that in fact these measures may ”be bottoming out,” as The Journal put it.

I don’t know if I agree with that thesis, but the story contains a wealth of information and statistics about plane crashes. 

Perhaps not surprisingly, most crashes occur when a plane is taking off or attempting to land.

And regional airlines score have much worse safety records than larger aircraft, “involved in five of the seven fatal accidents on scheduled airline flights in the past 10 years,” The Journal wrote, citing data from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Plane crashes have multiple causes, and about 80 percent of the time they involve human error; about 50 percent have causes like bad weather; and 20 percent of the time there is something wrong with the plane, according to The Journal.         

Federal Safety Officials Take Another Look At Plane Braking Rules

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Posted on 31st August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Federal aviation officials are reexamining how some jet braking systems perform in wet weather, according to The Wall Street Journal.  

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240527487043kungn 23704575462000284345266.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5

The National Transportation Safety Board is doing the reassessment in the wake of of several recent incidents where jets overran runways in foul weather, The Journal reported Tuesday.

For example, on Dec. 22 last year American Airlines Flight 331 coming from Miami to Kingston, Jamaica, hit the runway midway down during a storm. The pilots used all the breaking power available, but the Boeing 737 ran off the end of the runway. The jet ruined its landing gear and its fuselage broke in two, according to The Journal.

By the NTSB’s standards, the jet in Jamaica should have been able to land safely. But an investigation found that even when the maximum braking power was exerted, the jet failed to decelerate to the degree that flight tests and technical calculations had predicted, The Journal said. 

So federal safety officials are considering making recommendations to reexamine and possibly make safety margins for landings stricter.

The Journal said that runway overruns are the largest category of accidents for commercial airlines around the world.  

      

FAA Tries To Gather Data From Pilots, Controllers On Averted Mid-Air Collisions

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Posted on 25th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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The Federal Aviation Administration is trying to convince pilots and air traffic controllers to share information about mid-air collisions that were averted, according to The Wall Street Journal.  

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704340504575447883834823838.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1

United Airlines is likely to be the first airline to participate in the program, which seeks to collect data on what lead up to the near-crashes and ways to avert such dangerous situations, the newspaper reported.

The Journal cited FAA documents that said the initiaitive’s goal is to ”more accurately identify potential hazards and develop more robust mitigation strategies.” The intent is not to take action against any pilots or controllers.

 Why the fuss now? There have been a number of near-collisions mid-air during the past few months.

The Journal reported that according to the National Transportation Safety Board, in recent months there have been about 400 reports of cockpit-warning systems going off when plans flew too close to each other.  

The ultimate goal of the new program is to couple flight data from instruments and interviews with pilots and controllers, rather than studying them separately.  

 

 

Motorcyclist Who Suffered Brain Injury In Tractor-Trailer Accident Gets $6.5 Million Settlement

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Posted on 25th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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A motorcyclist who sustained brain injury when a tractor-trailer crashed into him in Missouri has settled his case for $6.5 million, according to a press release

 http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100823006327/en/St.-Louis-MO-based-Page-Law-announces-6.5″ target=”_blank”

The motorcyclist had filed suit in St. Louis against Allied Systems Ltd. and its truck driver. The driver, who was both the owner-operator of a tractor-trailer and an employee of Allied, on May 1, 2005 drove to a repair shop to have the brakes on his tractor replaced.

When he arrived, the shop was closed. The driver then proceeded to pick up a load that Allied had dispatched him to  earlier that morning.

En route, the tractor-trailer crashed into the back of a motorcycle that was allegedly slowing or stopped on the highway in Benton County, Mo. The 48-year-old motorcyclist suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the crash.

In his lawsuit, the motorcyclist alleged that the brakes on the tractor-trailer were defective and that both the driver and the trucking company, as the driver’s employer, were liable.

The motorcyclist was represented by lead counsel John Page, who said, “Ultimately we were able to resolve this case for an amount that will help our client make up for the harms and losses he and his family suffered as a result of this crash.”

The trucking company filed for bankruptcy in Georgia, forcing the motorcyclist’s attorneys to obtain permission from the bankruptcy court in Georgia to proceed in the Missouri personal injury case. Once the bankruptcy judge granted permission, a St. Louis City Circuit Court judge transferred the case to Benton County, Mo.

The driver’s insurance carrier agreed to settle for $1 million. Allied denied the driver was acting in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the crash. The case was mediated by Judge Corrigan in St. Louis.

The highest offer at mediation was $1.8 million. During the trial, Allied offered $2.5 million, which the motorcyclist  refused. As the trial progressed, Allied offered $3.5 million, which was also rejected. During the second week of trial, Allied offered to settle for $5.5 million in new money. The motorcyclist accepted this offer to settle in addition to the driver’s $1 million policy for a total of $6.5 million.

“We put a significant amount of time and effort into obtaining this result for our client. Five years was a long time to be working on the case,” Page said. “Ultimately we were able to resolve this case for an amount that will help our client make up for the harms and losses he and his family suffered as a result of this crash.”

Fido Can Be As Bad A Distraction As Texting While You’re Driving

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Posted on 24th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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You can add pets to the list of driver distractions that can lead to accidents, according to the AAA.

http://www.aaanewsroom.net/Main/Default.asp?CategoryID=7&ArticleID=789

A recent survey by AAA and Kurgo found that one in five respondents admitted to driving with a dog in their lap. Since Kurgo makes pet-restraint products, some skeptics might question the objectivity of this survey. Is Kurgo just looking to sell more pet harnesses?

But despite that, the survey results seem kosher to us.

In a press release, the AAA said that while people often like to take their “canine companions” on errands with them, “in a vehicle this can mean added distractions for the driver.”

AAA and Kurgo asked dog owners how often they drive with their dog and about their habits behind the wheel. “The survey found that drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man’s best friend is along for the ride,” according to the press release.

Thirty-one percent of the survey respondents admitted to being distracted by their dog while driving. And 59 percent have participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog, according to the survey.

More than half (55 percent) have pet their dog while driving, and one in five allowed their dog to sit in their lap (21 percent).

Other distracting behaviors drivers admitted to include giving food and water to their dog (7 percent) and playing with their dog (5 percent). These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash.

An overwhelming 80 percent of respondents stated that they have driven with their pets on a variety of car trips including day trips, local errands and leisure trips, the pet store, dog parks and to work. However only 17 percent use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog.

“Use of a pet restraint system, such as those available from Kurgo, can aid in limiting distractions and help protect your pet,” the press release says.

“Restraining your pet when driving can not only help protect your pet, but you and other passengers in your vehicle as well,”  said Jennifer Huebner-Davidson, AAA National, Traffic Safety Programs manager “An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure. Imagine the devastation that can cause to your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path.”

Here’s where the press release gives us the full hard sell from Kurgo.

“There are a variety of reasonably priced products available to help dog owners reduce distractions their pets might cause while driving while keeping them safe,” it says. ” There have been many recent innovations in this market from Kurgo and others to make these products more comfortable for the dog and convenient to use for the owner. AAA recommends owners utilize a restraint system anytime they are driving with their pet—even close to home. Pet restraint products, such as those from Kurgo, are available at local pet stores nationwide. To find a dealer near you, visit Kurgo.com.”

I wasn’t aware of it, but AAA offers a variety of services for pet owenrs. For example, it has a book for those who plan to take their pets on a trip, entited ”Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook,” which includes pet-friendly AAA Approved property listings and advice on transporting pets.

 The book also features information on how to enter the annual AAA PetBook Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western. Entry deadline is Nov. 30 and the winning pets will appear on a cover of the next edition. To enter, visit AAA.com/petbook.

AAA members can also save on services for their pet through the Show Your Card & Save program. Members save 10 percent on pet supplies at Target.com and 10 percent on pet-sitting and dog-walking services at home or on the road with Fetch! Pet Care.

Prescriptions for family pets that can be filled at a traditional pharmacy may also be eligible for a AAA discount. 

 

Four Americans Among 14 Dead In Plane Crash In Nepal

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Posted on 24th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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A plane taking passengers to a popular hiking area in Nepal crashed in bad weather Tuesday, killing 14 people, according to The Los Angeles Times.  

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-nepal-plane-crash-20100825,0,372610.story

There were four Americans, a British citizen and a Japanese person among the dead when the 15-seat Dornier 228 twin turboprop had the accident. It was on its way from Katmandu to Lukla, a town that’s popular with hikers.

Shortly after the plane, operated by Agni Air, took off air traffic control advised it to turn around because of thick cloud cover, according to The Times. The pilot did try to come back to Katmandu, but it was also enshrouded by clouds. So the plane then headed to Simra airport.

Before it made it there, the plane crashed in Shikharpur. There were 11 passengers and three crew members on the flight.

A five-member committee of Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the accident and file a report within 65 days, The Times reported.         

Celebrity Plastic Surgeon May Have Tweeted, Texted Before Fatal Crash In Malibu

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Posted on 23rd August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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It appears that Oprah Winfrey’s message against no cellphone or texting while driving fell on deaf ears in the case of celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan. And he is apparently dead now because of it.

Ryan, a Beverly Hills doctor with patients like model Janice Dickinson, Heidi Montag and Gene Simmons of Kiss, was killed last Monday. He drove his Jeep Wrangler off a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu shortly after posting Twitter updates on his dog, and he was possibly also texting right before the crash. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-ryan18-m,0,1480290.story

Those are exactly the activities that distract drivers and cause accidents, and it appears that this may have been the case with Ryan.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Ryan posted a photo of his border collie on Twitter Monday at 4:10 p.m. and 20 minutes later, his Jeep veered off the highway and down an embankment, landing on its roof. The accident was reported 4:33 p.m., The Times said.

Ironically, his dog Jill wasn’t killed in the crash.

Ryan’s former girlfriend, Charmaine Blake, initially told People magazine that the plastic surgeon was texting and then accidently drove off the cliff. She later revised her statement, claiming she had been told by someone that Ryan had been texting while driving. 

Oprah doesn’t call vehicles “No Phone Zones” for nothing. 

I hope we discover that Ryan didn’t cause his own death by being distracted by tweeting or texting while driving. But if he was, that should be a pretty major teaching moment for America.

Appellate Court Affirms $65 Million For Woman In Florida Truck Crash

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Posted on 20th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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A federal court has upheld a $65 million verdict for a young woman who received massive injuries when her car was truck by a tractor-trailer in Zolfo Springs, Fla. 

 http://www.theledger.com/article/20100818/NEWS/8185003/1002/SPORTS?Title=Appeals-Court-Upholds-65-Million-Verdict-for-Woman-in-2007-Crash

Kendra Lymon, only 19 when the accident took place, was a star student with a great life ahead of her. Now as a result of the accident, she is unable to take care of herself and requires constant supervision.

A resident of Wauchula, Fla., Lymon had been a student at South Florida Community College majoring in psychology; worked as an aide for the Florida Institute of Neurologic Rehabilitation; and spoke six languages.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals affirmed a March 18, 2009, jury verdict in favor of Lymon and her family, for her suit after her Dodge Neon was struck by the truck Aug. 21, 2007.

 The defendants Bynum Transport and truck driver Robert Bohn tried to get the $65 million verdict reduced, claiming it was excessive. They argued that $41.4 million that the jury granted for pain and suffering, mental anguish and “loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life.”

 

 

Girl Survivor Of Colombian Plane Crash Sustained Traumatic Brain Injury

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Posted on 18th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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A young girl who was one of 130 passengers to survive a jet crash in Colombia suffered a brain hemorrhage and is in critical condition, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. 

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/girl-in-coma-worst-injured-from-colombia/f9dce7df41c2421ebfd4e8180e95f8f6

The jet that the 11-year-old was on crashed on the resort island of San Andres while attempting to land during a thunderstorm. The plane’s fuselage cracked in half. The aircraft was carrying 131 people, and there was one fatality and 20 people hospitalized.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575433281664709358.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

Authorities believe it was miraculous that only person was killed in the crash.

The 11-year-old, Maria Camila Angarita, broke her pelvis as well as sustaining brain injury, according to AP. She was put into an induced coma at a Bogota hospital.

Plane passengers said there were no problems as the jet came in to land, although they did see lightning outside the window. But then the plane hit the ground hard, with its body breaking into two pieces.

  

U.S. Department Of Interior May Limit Permits For Off-Road Races

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Posted on 17th August 2010 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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After a tragic accident that killed eight spectators in the Mohave desert, the Interior Department is re-examining its standards for issung permits for off-road racing in the wild, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870486860457543378356

A spokesman for the department’s Bureau of Land Management told The Journal that it would its review would include the federally owned land that it manages in the western United States.

Any change that would help keep spectators safe at an off-road racing event is being considered, officials said.

The review was triggered by the horrific fatal crash Saturday in Southern California’s Lucerne Valley, the Mohave desert, during the annual California 200. A driver lost control of his racing truck and it flew into a crowd of spectators, landing on top of the group. The truck  killed eight and injured two others.

This appears to have been a terrible accident, pure and simple, with no alcohol involved. The 28-year-old driver of the truck hasn’t been charged with any offense.

But the California Highway Patrol is probing the accident, according to The Journal.

In a statement the Bureau of Land Management said that in order to get a permit off-road race organizers have to buy insurance, submit a safety plan for spectators and supply proof that their staff has had safety training. And while federal law mandates that racers only travel under 15 mph when they come close to crowds, it’s not a rule that’s easily enforced.

The crowd that showed up for the California 200 was much larger than the 300 people anticipated, and some spectators purposely stood close to an area where trucks often went airborne, according to The Journal. That’s where the accident happened.  

   
 


 

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