This update is intended to cover all investigative work or activities that has been completed by the investigation group – this update doesn’t speculate on the cause of the accident:
- December 1-3, 2010: GCAA/NTSB Face-to-Face Coordinators Meeting.
- Meeting included presentations from all Working Groups
- Opportunity to have a productive exchange of information between all parties.
- November 29, 2010: Tour of FAA Fire Labs facilities in Atlantic City, NJ.
- Witnessed Lithium Ion explosive test
- Round table discussion regarding new threats of carrying lithium batteries
- Toured the FAA Fire Lab focusing on facilities test capabilities.
- Viewed retrofitted ULD container to test various types of suppression.
- November 16 and 19, 2010: UPS Boeing 747-400F Flight Test completed in SDF.
- Nov 16th flight test was conducted to sample audio spectrum analysis of the oxygen system and accessibility of emergency equipment from a seated position.
- Nov 19th flight test observed functionality and performance of the Main Deck Cargo Fire System. (Provide DFDR data set for comparison)
- November 3, 2010: Timeline Group formed.
- Master Timeline Group to collect all pertinent data/information related to the accident flight including DFDR, CVR, AHM, ATC, Fire and Cargo. This provides a composite view of information to assist all other working groups.
- Deliverables to other Working Groups include:
- “Master Timeline” using advanced NTSB tools to correlated data into one cohesive set.
- Master timeline of events displayed graphically in using several different analysis tools. To include animation similar to the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia accident – this is the first civil accident to employ this technique--
- October-November 2010: Operations Group Activities
- Completed a series of interview relevant to the investigation.
- Conducted Simulator observations in ANC.
- October-November 2010:
- FDR Group completed FDR Plots and Report.
- CVR Group completed CVR Transcript
- October-November 2010: Accident site cleared – wreckage stored in DXB – secured by the GCAA.
- On-going Progress Meetings
- IPA Party Coordinator participates in frequent teleconferences with GCAA/NTSB.
- As needed, IPA Party Coordinator and Working Group members attend additional meetings with industry reps.
- Working Group members
- IPA members participate in scheduled conference calls (often weekly) and group meetings as required.
The next face-to-face progress meeting is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2011 in SDF.
Crewmember questions:
How long will the investigation take place? As previously discussed, this is an Annex 13 Investigation being conducted by the GCAA. Presently, there isn’t an anticipated final report date – the IPA will continue to be involved in this on-going process throughout all phase of the investigation.
Will the CVR transcripts be released? The GCAA has indicated the CVR transcript will not be released. The transcript – or paraphrased versions – will only be used by the various investigative groups.
Will a final report be written by the GCAA? The IPA anticipates a final report written by the GCAA with a comment period provided for the accredited representatives (including the IPA) at the end of the investigation.