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Civil Aviation Authority CAA prepares ground for mandatory CO detectors
UK –
“What’s stopping pilots from fitting a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector in their aircraft? The CAA wants to know.”
Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story: Hidden Hazard
“Flying his Mooney, Dan Bass was overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning and lost consciousness while airborne. He recounts the dreadful accident and his miraculous survival waking up in a snow-covered field in the bitter February cold.”
Fliers say this equipment could prevent deadly small plane crashes, but there’s a snag
“We have accident experience that shows that carbon monoxide leaks happen and that they bring down airplanes…the FAA has refused to require (CO) detectors, only recommending them…(their)position is that regular maintenance and inspections would catch any carbon monoxide leaks…”
FAA says carbon monoxide to blame for fatal plane crash in Ringgold
Chatham, VA –
“Federal investigators say carbon monoxide was likely to blame for a fatal airplane crash last year in Pittsylvania County.
The Federal Aviation Administration this weekend released their final report on the February 1, 2022 crash east of Danville. It concludes the pilot was impaired due to carbon monoxide that came into the cockpit from undetected engine exhaust.
Investigator in Charge Lynn Spencer says the pilot, who was not identified in the report, shut down an engine after takeoff. There was no evidence that the engine had failed, which would have necessitated a shutdown.”
FAA says carbon monoxide to blame for fatal plane crash in Ringgold | News | chathamstartribune.com
UK regulator seeks opinions on active carbon monoxide detectors for general aviation
“We know that pilots have to consider the significant safety benefits offered by flying with an active [carbon monoxide] detector… It could not only save their life, but also their passengers’ as well.”
General Aviation: Delay in vital test led to distress for family of crash victims
“A final ATSB report on the crash of the Beaver floatplane revealed how several pre-existing cracks in the aircraft engine’s exhaust collector ring released exhaust gas into the engine/accessory bay. This then likely entered the cabin through holes in the main firewall where three bolts were missing.”
Delay in vital test led to distress for family of crash victims – Australian Aviation
Toxic fumes on board airplanes? Airlines may finally have to do something about it
“Lawmakers cited a Los Angeles Times investigation that found that dangerous vapors contaminate the air supply on planes with alarming frequency, sometimes sickening passengers and crew and incapacitating pilots during flights. Over a two-year period, nearly 400 pilots, flight attendants and passengers reported receiving medical attention after these “fume events,” and four dozen pilots were described as impaired to the point of being unable to perform their duties, The Times found.”
Congress tackles toxic fumes on airplanes with new bill – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
Role of carbon monoxide in seaplane crash was not considered until years later, inquest told
“…it appears that police and the ATSB wrongly assumed a chemical byproduct of carbon monoxide was routinely checked for in toxicology screening. Blood samples retained from the autopsies were examined, revealing all passengers had the chemical, carboxyhaemoglobin, in their systems.”
Pilot settles carbon monoxide exposure claims with California airline, OneJet
“…(pilot) became incoherent, incapacitated and subsequently passed out while attempting to control the temperature in the N102NS aircraft as a result of carbon monoxide and/or organophosphates being present in the cockpit…”
Emiliano Sala and pilot were overcome by toxic carbon monoxide fumes from light aircraft’s faulty exhaust before fatal plunge into the English Channel, concludes jury at plane crash inquest
Conclusion of inquest…
“Jurors at Bournemouth Town Hall today returned a lengthy conclusion after deliberating for nearly two days.”
Small plane makes emergency return to Bellingham International Airport after alarm sounds
“A small plane that had just taken off from Bellingham International Airport made an emergency return after an onboard alarm sounded Tuesday evening.
Airport and Bellingham Fire Department crews called shortly before 7 p.m. March 8 for an aircraft emergency standby, according to the PulsePoint app.
The call came after a pilot of a Cessna 172 airplane that had recently departed Runway 34 at the airport requested an emergency return at approximately 6:48 p.m., Port of Bellingham Director of Aviation Sunil Harman told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
The request was made after an onboard carbon monoxide alarm sounded, Harman reported, and the pilot was the only person on board at the time. The aircraft was cleared to land, according to Harman, which it did safely and parked.
No other flight operations at the airport were impacted.
Small plane makes emergency return landing at Bellingham | Bellingham Herald
Emiliano Sala suffered carbon monoxide poisoning before dying in plane crash
“… toxicological tests on samples of Sala’s blood showed a carbon monoxide blood saturation level of 58%…”
Emiliano Sala suffered carbon monoxide poisoning before dying in plane crash – Mirror Online
Pilots: Prevent CO Poisoning
NTSB to FAA: Make Interactive Carbon Monoxide Detectors Mandatory
NTSB to FAA: Make Interactive Carbon Monoxide Detectors Mandatory – FLYING Magazine
NTSB: Require small planes to have carbon monoxide detectors
“The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it identified 31 accidents since 1982 involving carbon monoxide poisoning, including 23 fatal crashes that killed 42 people and seriously injured four others.”
NTSB: Require small planes to have carbon monoxide detectors (techxplore.com)
Carbon Monoxide Leak Inside Plane Prompts Emergency Landing
“A Frontier Airlines flight from Las Vegas to San Antonio was forced to make an emergency landing at El Paso International Airport on Thursday due to a carbon monoxide leak.”
Carbon Monoxide Leak Inside Plane Prompts Emergency Landing (newsweek.com)
Millionaire British catering tycoon, 58, and his family died in seaplane crash after pilot became ‘disorientated’ from carbon monoxide leak and aircraft plunged into Sydney river, inquest hears
“The pilot’s ability to safely operate the aircraft was significantly reduced by reasons of high levels of carbon monoxide in the cabin.”
NTSB: Carbon monoxide poisoning behind fatal plane crash in Guthrie Center
“The Federal Aviation Administration had recommended, but did not require, single-engine airplanes to install carbon monoxide detectors.”
Australian report finds carbon monoxide caused shark spotting pilots to suffer ‘amnesia and confusion’
Pilot crashed his glider into a parked bus after he was knocked out by carbon monoxide poisoning
- Pilot, 72, passed out after carbon monoxide leaked into his cockpit, report said
- Scheibe Super Falke SF25E glider lost control and had a wing torn off in crash
CO poisoning in aviation
“Valid evidence exists from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that CO poisoning is a risk to flight crew and passengers of piston powered aircraft. First there are numerous accident reports, both fatal and non-fatal…”
https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Carbon_Monoxide_Poisoning#Sources_of_Carbon_Monoxide_in_Aviation
CO blamed for Sydney seaplane crash
Australia – “The crash investigator recommended that the Australian safety regulator mandate carbon monoxide detectors in all piston-engine planes that alert pilots through an alarm or flashing lights. The investigator noted that no other country has mandated such devices.”
How Toxic Fumes Seep Into the Air You Breathe on Planes
“Airlines have been asking Boeing to install air sensors for years. But the company decided against developing the technology. Senior Boeing engineers worried that data from sensors would prove damaging in lawsuits by sick passengers and crew members, according to internal emails and sworn depositions obtained by The Times.
An internal Boeing memo described it as a “risk” to give air sensors to even one airline, according to a deposition of a Boeing executive.”
GENERAL AVIATION’S SILENT KILLER IN THE SKY
“For general aviation pilots, carbon monoxide exposure poses a particularly concerning threat because impairing levels can build quickly in an enclosed cabin, and even nonfatal levels can lead to tragic consequences in flight.”
General Aviation’s Silent Killer in the Sky | NTSB Safety Compass (wordpress.com)
Inspection of exhaust systems and engine firewalls: are they carbon monoxide safe? Safety Advisory Notice
“The primary mechanism for the prevention of carbon monoxide exposure to aircraft occupants is to carry out regular inspections of piston-engine exhaust systems to identify and repair holes and cracks, and to detect breaches in the firewall between the engine compartment and the cabin.”
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/safety-advisory-notice/ao-2017-118-san-001/
Are you protected from CO poisoning in an airplane? Safety Advisory Notice
Carbon monoxide detectors provide warning to aircraft occupants of the presence of CO levels in the cabin that are above safe concentrations.
Sydney Seaplanes crash: Carbon monoxide poisoning blamed for 2017 fatalities
Sydney, Australia – “The ATSB considers the levels of carbon monoxide were likely to have adversely affected the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft…”
How A Cracked Muffler Caused A Fatal Accident
“As cold winter temperatures arrive, you’ll probably use your airplane’s heater extensively. Here’s how cracks in your muffler could cause in-flight carbon monoxide poisoning, and what you can do to avoid it…”
Carbon monoxide found in 4 killed in plane crash
CO POISONING CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE – People who died in Iowa plane suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning…https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/11/17/carbon-monoxide-guthrie-center-plane-crash-edward-anderson-patrick-kellen-samantha-clark-lemars-iowa/2042715002/
Hefty Polar Cub, N62905: Fatal accident occurred September 10, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2016/09/fatal-accident-occurred-september-10.html
