USAF Operational Safety Review by May 21, 2018

[Airbubba]

Is this one of those periodic 'safety stand downs' after a couple of crashes where you don't fly for a day and have kumbaya sessions at the squadron? I've been a little cynical about these things in the past but maybe in these enlightened times the cathartic and therapeutic effects of discussion will help avoid future mishaps.

Air Force directs one-day operational safety reviewSecretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 08, 2018WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein directed all Air Force wings with flying and maintenance functions to execute a one-day operational safety review by May 21, 2018.

“I am directing this operational safety review to allow our commanders to assess and discuss the safety of our operations and to gather feedback from our Airmen who are doing the mission every day,” said Goldfein.

After a series of recent aviation mishaps and fatalities, including a WC-130 Hercules crash May 2, the Air Force is taking swift action to ensure the safety of its force. Although safety statistics over the past decade show Air Force Class A and B aviation mishaps trended downward, the Air Force's manned aviation mishap rate increased since the beginning of fiscal year 2018.

During the safety review, commander-led forums will gather feedback from Airmen who execute the Air Force's flying operations and challenge Airmen to identify issues that may cause a future mishap.

“We cannot afford to lose a single Airman or weapons system due to a mishap that could have been prevented,” said Goldfein. “Our men and women have volunteered to give their last full measure for America's security. My intent is to have commanders lead focused forums with their Airmen to help identify gaps and seams that exist or are developing, which could lead to future mishaps or unsafe conditions.”

[MPN11]

I have no grief about the concept. Sometimes actually STOPPING and doing some THINKING can be beneficial, although it takes some High-Level impetus to actually call “STOP”.

[OK465]

I think the best thing would be to have a new safety slogan for the safety pubs, something on the order of,

"Yo, don't have no glitch.....make safety yo bitch."

.....slogans always work.....:}

[gums]

Salute!

Good grief, Okie, that was crude. Anyway,

The stop and think and examine what everyone's job and procedures are is good thing. I have the feeling that this disaster is already being seen as some type of maintenance factor, but not necessarily for the local crew and wrenchbenders, rather some systemic problem, much like the Challenger loss.

I was at two groundings that were not due to crew problems or the local maintenance. Both were design problems.

The modified Rolls Spey motor in the Sluf was "re-inforced" to endure gees that the commercial applications would never see. Well, the mod wasn't lubricated enuf and the "sleeve" around the main compressor/turnbine shaft would come unglued. Not a good thing in a single engine plane.

The power supply design for the Viper FLCS did not allw for uncommanded EPU operation, and the doggone thing would crank out more volts than the computers could handle. The damned things ( computers) shut down!! No computers, so end over end and eject once below 3 or 4 gees.

During our groundings, all of us used the time to think and suggest and anticipate.

At least one Herc driver here has pointed out a possible factor leading to uncommanded prop reversal, so without a new design, then maybe a better pre-flight check or routine scheduled maintenance procedure might help.

Gums sends...

[OK465]

I always thought I was reasonably refined for an okie...... anyway,

crude? may apply to using the old standby.....a stand down.....to keep one's job in the upper echelons.....maybe not.

The old phrase '$hit happens', if modified might also be a pertinent safety slogan,

"Safety Happens"

It is reasonably random, with some good intentions here & there, but there ain't no such thing as a 'zero' accident rate....."ain't" btw being at my okie core. :)

"think & suggest & anticipate" may best be done ahead of time.