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TSA Suspends Pilot Insecurity Rule

The pilot insecurity rule has lost its bite — at least for now. The Transportation Security Administration has suspended enforcement of the rule that allowed it to revoke a pilot's certificate for alleged security risks.

Locked and Loaded Strike Eagle Down in Virginia

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter on a military training mission crashed Thursday near Roanoke, Virginia. The aircraft narrowly missed crashing at the Franklin County Speedway. The second aircraft in the flight of two F-15E's returned to base safely.

Sudan Accident Kills 12 Children, Pilot, Chaperone

The South African Broadcasting Corporation has reported that an LET-410 Czech-built aircraft has crashed in southern Sudan, killing sixteen of twelve children who were passengers on the domestic charter flight, as well as the captain, a native of New Zealand, and the chaperone who was escorting the children.

Urgent (CASA) AD: Cessna

The FAA received a report of a Model 208 aircraft having loose or improperly locked nuts on the wing struts upper attachment bolts. Loss of attachment nut(s) could lead to failure of the wing structure with consequent loss of control of the aircraft.

Urgent (CASA) AD: Pacific Aerospace Corp.

AD/CRESCO/6 Fin Forward Attachment Fitting 7/2004 DM Background: The manufacturer received a report of failure of an aluminium fin forward attachment fitting.

Urgent (CASA) AD: Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters Background: Transport Canada received reports of three occurrences of skin cracks originating near the tail rotor blade trailing edge balance weight. Two of the occurrences resulted in loss of the weight and a strip of material along the trailing edge, leading to an imbalance, which caused fracture of three of the four tail rotor gearbox attachments. One of these occurrences resulted in the gearbox shifting that caused failure of the drive shaft, which resulted in loss of yaw control.

Florida TFR: 5/7/2004-5/9/2004

NOTAM: 4/3967 Issued: 05/06/2004 18:55 Effective: 05/07/2004 17:00 - 05/09/2004 21:00 State: FL Facility: ZJX - JACKSONVILLE (ARTCC),FL. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: LAKE CITY, FL.

Maryland TFR: 5/8/2004

NOTAM: 4/3962 Issued: 05/06/2004 16:48 Effective: 05/08/2004 01:05 - 05/08/2004 02:10 State: MD Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC. Type: VIP Description: HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND, MAY 7, 2004.

Maryland TFR: 5/8/2004-5/9/2004

NOTAM: 4/3965 Issued: 05/06/2004 17:20 Effective: 05/08/2004 01:25 - 05/09/2004 17:00 State: MD Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC. Type: VIP Description: HAGERSTOWN/THURMONT, MARYLAND MAY 7-9, 2004.

Virginia TFR: 5/7/2004-UFN

NOTAM: 4/4006 Issued: 05/07/2004 17:27 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: VA Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC. Type: HAZARDS Description: ROANOKE, VA.

Aero-News Quote of the Day (05.08.04)

"This little bit of common sense has been a long time coming. TSA has to have the tools to protect our national security, but at the same time, pilots' constitutional right to due process must be guaranteed." Source: AOPA President Phil Boyer, commenting on the TSA's decision to suspend what has been widely described as the Pilot Insecurity Rule.