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Fume incidents on airplanes raise health concerns for passengers, crew members
"Where is the FAA?" Exactly where it always is- hiding.
I do have a lot of respect for the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), who have typically been very pro-active on safety matters, in contrast to the FAA who prefer to duck and hide until forced by press reports of some outrageous safety issue.
According to the Wall Street Journal report, the NTSB did discuss this matter internally, but was advised by their legal staff that this would be classified as a "health" concern, and thus outside of the NTSB area of responsibility.
This strikes me as a bit strange- the NTSB can be involved if your health deteriorates to zero, but not for any health matter less than that?
I believe that this story broke in the Wall Street Journal, and the extensive Journal report is incredibly alarming. That report focused on leaking oil seals on some of the most important engine compressor bearings. Oddly (I thought) the otherwise detailed report made no mention of any particular engine manufacturer.
In thinking about that, I have to wonder if those particular bearing types might have been used in engines from multiple engine manufacturers. They are likely very specialized bearings, and perhaps there is a common bearing supplier to multiple engine manufacturers.
Reading between the lines of the report, one gets the distinct impression that no one- plane makers, airlines, or regulators is showing any interest in the problem.
Why might that be? Well, if the bearing seals are leaking, then every engine out there with those seals would have to be disassembled to replace the bearings, assuming that a non-leaking replacement bearing is even available. Can you imagine the overall cost to the air transport industry?
The WSJ report is a major one, and much too detailed for me to abridge here.
If, as the WSJ reports, serious mental damage can occur from this, how would anyone know if it actually happened in the executive quarters on Air Force One?
Comments
Maybe that is why Boeing designed the door plugs to come off in flight? To get some fresh air? It's a feature.
I do have a lot of respect for the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), who have typically been very pro-active on safety matters, in contrast to the FAA who prefer to duck and hide until forced by press reports of some outrageous safety issue.
According to the Wall Street Journal report, the NTSB did discuss this matter internally, but was advised by their legal staff that this would be classified as a "health" concern, and thus outside of the NTSB area of responsibility.
This strikes me as a bit strange- the NTSB can be involved if your health deteriorates to zero, but not for any health matter less than that?
I believe that this story broke in the Wall Street Journal, and the extensive Journal report is incredibly alarming. That report focused on leaking oil seals on some of the most important engine compressor bearings. Oddly (I thought) the otherwise detailed report made no mention of any particular engine manufacturer.
In thinking about that, I have to wonder if those particular bearing types might have been used in engines from multiple engine manufacturers. They are likely very specialized bearings, and perhaps there is a common bearing supplier to multiple engine manufacturers.
Reading between the lines of the report, one gets the distinct impression that no one- plane makers, airlines, or regulators is showing any interest in the problem.
Why might that be? Well, if the bearing seals are leaking, then every engine out there with those seals would have to be disassembled to replace the bearings, assuming that a non-leaking replacement bearing is even available. Can you imagine the overall cost to the air transport industry?
The WSJ report is a major one, and much too detailed for me to abridge here.
This should be a free link to that Wall Street Journal report.