National 747 crash

I know this isnt a Haz Mat related topic, but it is close to my heart. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikehayes/terrifying-video-of-a-plane-crash-in-afghanistan

Load Mastering a 747 is something that I used to do and let me tell you, yo have GOT to be good to get it right in those remote locations.  I know, Ive done it.

What a lot of people dont know is that the system is really complicated.  The civil carriers are forced to comply with the military's system and the two programs don't match up very well.   Particularly if those freighters and their load planning programs are not configured to handle the military's 463L pallets. 

Getting the data from the military and transcribing it to a commercial system is the first complication.  It can make the load planning very difficult and often the Loadmaster is planning the load just prior to loading on a laptop in the aircraft.  I was lucky, I had a system where a central load planning worked it out for me in advance, but making changes was really a pain.  All too often the actual load that showed up and  the plan didnt always match.  It always presented a challenge.  The risk if you did an SMS risk matrix would be pretty high. 

Loading is another issue, you usually have a crew of young and inexperienced air men or USAF contractors who lack supervision by an NCO or supervisor.  As the loadmaster, you had to stay on top of them all the time and could never trust them to get things they way you needed it to happen.  Laziness could be the difference between a good load and the result in the video.  I watched those guys like a hawk and triple checked everything they did.  

Lets not talk about floor configurations!  if you were not configured to handle 463Ls, there was, shall we say ... difficulties. You need to have top notch load masters to ensure the floors were properly configured, weight limits were within parameters based on available floor locks and the pallets were secure.  skimping on safety here could have bad results. 


DGs .... the military and civilian systems could not be more disparate. 

Finally getting the numbers to the crew, again a challenge.  You need to double and triple check everything.  You are generally rushing to get out on time so as not to miss a curfew or because the AF needs the ramp space for other incoming acft.

I feel horrible for these guys and their families.  I am close to this issue and it really hurts my heart to see this video.  It could have been me in 2008-09.  My prayers go out to them.

I just hope that a lesson is learned here and the disparity between the military and civilian systems for these kinds of ops could close. 

Boeing says new battery system ensures 787’s safety, but root cause of problem still unclear - The Washington Post

TOKYO — Boeing Co.’s chief engineer for the 787 Dreamliner said Saturday that changes to the lithium-ion battery system are fully sufficient to ensure the aircraft’s safety, although the company has been unable to find the cause of the original battery failures earlier this year that led to groundings of the plane worldwide since mid-January.

Boeing says new battery system ensures 787’s safety, but root cause of problem still unclear - The Washington Post

Civilian cargo aircraft crashes at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan - The Washington Post

KABUL, Afghanistan — A civilian cargo aircraft crashed at Bagram Air Field, north of the Afghan capital, soon after takeoff on Monday, the U.S.-led military coalition said.

View the Washington Post article here:  
 
Civilian cargo aircraft crashes at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan - The Washington Post


Prayers go out to fellow Freighter Dogs.   - Bill

PRESS RELEASE - FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery System Design Changes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            April 19, 2013 Contact: Laura Brown Phone: 202-267-3883 FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery System Design Changes WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today took the next step in returning the Boeing 787 to flight by approving Boeing's design for modifications to the 787 battery system. The changes are designed to address risks at the battery cell level, the battery level and the aircraft level. Next week, the FAA will issue instructions to operators for making changes to the aircraft and will publish in the Federal Register the final directive that will allow the 787 to return to service with the battery system modifications. The directive will take effect upon publication. The FAA will require airlines that operate the 787 to install containment and venting systems for the main and auxiliary system batteries, and to replace the batteries and their chargers with modified components. “Safety of the traveling public is our number one priority. These changes to the 787 battery will ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “A team of FAA certification specialists observed rigorous tests we required Boeing to perform and devoted weeks to reviewing detailed analysis of the design changes to reach this decision,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. To assure proper installation of the new design, the FAA will closely monitor modifications of the aircraft in the U.S. fleet. The FAA will stage teams of inspectors at the modification locations. Any return to service of the modified 787 will only take place after the FAA accepts the work. As the certifying authority, the FAA will continue to support other authorities around the world as they finalize their own acceptance procedures.