Wrong Runway | Final Accident Report On Lear 60 Runway Overrun in Chicago

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• In October 2020, a Learjet 60 overran runway 30 at Chicago Executive Airport after misidentifying it as runway 34. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has just published its final report.

• On approach to the airport, the crew reported the airport in sight and self-positioned themselves for a visual approach to runway 34. On a right base, they erroneously identified the lights for runway 30, aligned themselves with runway 30, and landed.

• After a normal touchdown, the crew quickly realizes the runway is too short. “The first officer called 100 knots and 1,000 feet of runway remaining. The captain recognized that the airplane would not stop by the end of the runway surface and steered the airplane left to avoid a road.”

• Before departure, the captain had determined that there was enough runway available to land on their intended runway. They had calculated a factored landing distance of 4,790 feet and the landing distance available on runway 34 was 5,001 feet. However, the landing distance on runway 30 was 3,983 feet – significantly less than what they needed.

• There was substantial damage to the right wing but no injuries or fatalities. In the final report draft, the NTSB did not detail any contributing factors to the runway misidentification.

Aviation Safety Network

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New Medical Research | Pilots And Cabin Crew Have Increased Chance Of Fatal Skin Cancer

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• Studies show that the incidence of melanoma — the most severe form of skin cancer — is significantly higher in pilots and cabin crew members, as is their risk of dying from it.

• According to the report, UV exposure increases with altitude – “...at 30,000ft the UV level is about twice as high as it is on the ground…and even higher when flying over thick cloud layers and snowfields, which could reflect up to 85 percent of UV radiation.”

• Another factor is irregular schedules. Some reports state that disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm may increase the likelihood of melanoma.

• Malignant melanomas are a fatal type of skin cancer that has increased significantly over the past 50 years. The United States has had around a 4% yearly rise since the 1970s. This rise is partly due to the deterioration of the ozone layer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

• To prevent melanomas, the WHO recommends avoiding the midday sun, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, avoiding tanning, and regularly examining the skin for any changes.

Flight Safety Foundation

A Door Is Not Enough | FAA Proposes Secondary Barrier Be Installed In All Part 121 Aircraft

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• Measures to better prevent unlawful access to flight decks were put in place following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. After over two decades, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has deemed further barriers are necessary.

• The FAA proposes that Part 121 aircraft be fitted with an “installed physical secondary barrier” (IPSB) that would be deployed (closed and locked) whenever the flight deck door is opened while the airplane is in flight.

• The FAA explains the following rationale: “Even a strong and secure flight deck door must occasionally be opened to provide for necessary events such as lavatory breaks and meal service. Between the time of opening and closing the flight deck door (door transition), the open flight deck has some degree of vulnerability to attack. Such an attack could happen quickly and arguably leave insufficient time for the cabin crew to react.”

• Each aircraft type will have different barrier specifications but the FAA proposes that the barrier “withstand a 600-pound static load in the direction of the flight deck…be able to resist an intrusion attempt for five seconds…be sufficiently transparent, whether through open space or transparent material, to provide situational awareness between the vestibule area (outside the flight deck) and the passenger cabin”.

• This rule doesn’t impact Part 135 and Part 91 operations, which generally do not have aircraft with flight deck doors or security barriers installed.

• The public has 60 days from July 27th to comment on the proposed rule.

Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 4910-13
Federal Aviation Administration

Oshkosh EAA Airventure | A Stormy Start Did Not Dampen Spirits

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• From July 24th - July 31st, the air traffic controllers in Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport will help more than 17,000 planes fly in and out for the annual Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) annual AirVenture.

• On the eve of the airshow, storms battered parked aircraft, stalls, and vehicles.

• Fortunately, preparation and safety are essential to AirVenture’s yearly success. “Severe weather is something AirVenture organizers prepare for each year. They work directly with the National Weather Service, who is onsite throughout the week.”

• While no one was hurt, one plane was flipped onto its nose, and trees reportedly fell on cars and RVs. Overall, attendees weathered the storm well, with aircraft being securely tied down or delaying arrivals to avoid the worst weather.

• Fortunately, that did not dampen any spirits as sunny weather prevailed all week, and the airshow was reported as another great success.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association