Airfreight - Maintenance failure was 'probable cause' of Emery aircraft disaster 

Copyright 2003 Lloyd's List International 
Lloyd's List 
August 6, 2003

By Roger Hailey 

US aviation investigators have cited maintenance failure as the "probable 
cause" of a crash that killed the three crew of an Emery Worldwide Airlines 
DC-8 freighter aircraft. 

Alpa, the US pilots' union, welcomed the National Transportation Safety Board 
report but called for tougher action in "addressing deficiencies in corporate 
safety culture and Federal Aviation Authority oversight". 

The scheduled Emery Worldwide flight to Dayton, Ohio, crashed into a 
Sacramento auto salvage yard in February 2000, while attempting to return to 
Mather Airport shortly after takeoff. The NTSB said that the probable cause 
of the crash was "a loss of pitch control resulting from the disconnection of 
the right elevator control tab". 

The disconnection was caused by "a failure to properly secure and inspect" 
the bolt attaching the elevator control to the pushrod. 

NTSB chairman Ellen Engleman, said: "This event illustrates the 
interdependence and critical roles and responsibilities of each member of the 
aviation safety chain. 

"Safety requires 100% performance by everyone." 

Parent company CNF suspended Emery Worldwide Airlines operations in August 
2001, as part of an interim agreement with the FAA. The airline never resumed 
operations and was closed down. 

The NTSB inspectors judged that the DC-8 maintenance errors occurred during 
either a major maintenance D check, in November 1999, or during subsequent 
maintenance of the aircraft. 

As a result of this investigation, the board issued 15 recommendations to the 
FAA, including revised maintenance procedures and improved training for 
flight crews. 

In its response to the final report, Alpa said yesterday: "This investigation 
revealed significant safety issues in cargo airline operations, loading and 
maintenance practices, and FAA oversight. 

"We are disappointed that these recommendations did not go far enough in 
addressing deficiencies in corporate safety culture and FAA oversight." 

Alpa said that NTSB has conducted at least 38 accident investigations 
involving cargo operators since 1984. 

The union continued: "Recommendations to the FAA and to cargo operators, 
success in rectifying the safety deficiencies of the cargo airline industry 
has been limited." 

In order to increase the focus on cargo airline safety, Alpa has formed the 
President's Committee for Cargo, "to more clearly define the issues, and to 
highlight our concerns to the industry". 

The NTSB is considering a cargo airline safety forum to identify additional 
issues. 

CNF had not issued a statement at the time of going to press.