Cablegate: China Response to Violations of Faa Regulations

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DE RUEHBJ #2464 2400510
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280510Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5809
INFO RHMFIUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS BEIJING 002464

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/TRA/OTP MEAGAN WALKLET-TIGHE
FAA FOR CHINA DESK ROBYN CICERO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR CH
SUBJECT: CHINA RESPONSE TO VIOLATIONS OF FAA REGULATIONS

REF: (A) STATE 14878; (B) STATE 14879; (C) STATE 28069

1. (SBU) As requested in reftels on violations of Federal aviation
regulations by Chinese pilots, Econoff presented the case dossiers
to the Flight Safety Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of China
(CAAC) on March 23, 2009 (refs A and B) and on April 13, 2009 (ref
C). CAAC conducted an investigation, and in written responses dated
May 12, 2009, reported to Embassy that the following measures in the
three cases had been taken.

2. (SBU) In the cases of pilots YANG, Benjiang of CA1055 (ref A) and
DONG, Jianguo of CA1053 (ref B), CAAC's North China Division
reported they had fined the pilots USD 500 each. In addition, CAAC
required YANG and DONG (1) to strictly follow standard procedures,
including standard calls and cross checks; (2) to improve flight
preparation both to enhance performance and raise their exam levels;
(3) to establish a captain responsibility system to improve
supervision and management of the crew; (4) to conduct real case
studies on a monthly basis in safety meetings, discussing how to
deal with special situations; and (5) to enhance CRM (crew resource
management) training. CAAC also provided an April 13 letter from
the pilots' employer, Air China Cargo, confirming the airline's
action in the case.

3. (SBU) In the case of pilot ZHANG, Wenshun of CA 986 (ref C),
CAAC reported the incident to CAAC's North China Regional
Administration shortly after the incident occurred. In addition,
CAAC (1) required ZHANG to take RT (radio telephony) training again;
(2) informed ZHANG's airline of the incident; (3) conducted a safety
study and emphasized to readback before acting on an ATC (air
traffic control) order, except during emergencies; (4) conducted
English training and testing of all flight members according to
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements; and
(5) provided special training to cope with the specific incident
type. CAAC also reported that they will continue their supervision
and inspection of the airline's daily operations.

4. (SBU) Post will email scanned copies of the original responses
from CAAC to EEB/TRA/OTP and FAA/China Desk contacts.

HUNTSMAN

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