The Fallout From A 2004 Pinnacle Airlines Crash Continues...

On October 14, 2004, a Pinnacle Airlines flight crew, repositioning a Bombardier CRJ-200 (file photo of type below) from Little Rock to Minneapolis, crashed after attempting to take the aircraft to its service ceiling, stalled it and flamed out both engines.

The NTSB published a laundry list of causes for the crash, but in the narrowest possible terms, the crew's unprofessional behavior, deviation from standard operating procedures and poor airmanship led directly to the flame-out and subsequent crash.

Now, a new list of safety recommendations from the NTSB for the FAA indicates the crash and death of the two pilots may not have been entirely in vain. The NTSB found deficiencies in the crew's training as regards the high-altitude stall, the double-engine flame out, the engine restart attempts and planning for the emergency landing.

Below is the unedited list of NTSB recommendations for the FAA:

• Work with members of the aviation industry to enhance the training syllabuses for pilots conducting high altitude operations in regional jet airplanes. The syllabuses should include methods to ensure that these pilots possess a thorough understanding of the airplanes' performance capabilities, limitations, and high altitude aerodynamics.
  (A-07-1) 
• Determine whether the changes to be made to the high altitude training syllabuses for regional jet airplanes, as requested in Safety Recommendation A-07-1, would also enhance the high altitude training syllabuses for all other transport-category jet airplanes and, if so, require that these changes be incorporated into the syllabuses for those airplanes. (A-07-2)
• Require that air carriers provide their pilots with opportunities to practice high altitude stall recovery techniques in the simulator during which time the pilots demonstrate their ability to identify and execute the appropriate recovery technique. (A-07-3)
• Convene a multidisciplinary panel of operational, training, and human factors specialists to study and submit a report on methods to improve flight crew familiarity with and response to stick pusher systems and, if warranted, establish training requirements for stick pusher-equipped airplanes based on the findings of this panel. (A-07-4) 
• Verify that all Canadair regional jet operators incorporate guidance in their double engine failure checklist that clearly states the airspeeds required during the procedure and require the operators to provide pilots with simulator training on executing this checklist. (A-07-5)
• Require regional air carriers operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 to provide specific guidance on expectations for professional conduct to pilots who operate nonrevenue flights. (A-07-6) 
• For those regional air carriers operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 that have the capability to review flight data recorder (FDR) data, require that the air carriers review FDR data from nonrevenue flights to verify that the flights are being conducted according to standard operating procedures. (A-07-7)

• Work with pilot associations to develop a specific program of education for air carrier pilots that addresses professional standards and their role in ensuring safety of flight. The program should include associated guidance information and references to recent accidents involving pilots acting unprofessionally or not following standard operating procedures. (A-07-8)
• Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 operators incorporate into their oversight programs periodic Line Operations Safety Audit observations and methods to address and correct findings resulting from these observations. (A-07-9)
• Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 operators establish Safety Management System programs. (A-07-10)
• Strongly encourage and assist all regional air carriers operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 to implement an approved Aviation Safety Action Program and an approved Flight Operational Quality Assurance program. (A-07-11)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.faa.gov