NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-00-053
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FAA: ISSUE GUIDANCE TO AIR CARRIERS ABOUT THE NEED TO NOTIFY PILOTS IN FLIGHT WHEN BAGGAGE AND CARGO THAT ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THEIR AIRCRAFT; NOTIFYING THE PILOTS INCLUDES CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE HAZARDS POSED BY THE MATERIAL INVOLVED IN THE SPILL AND THE PROCEDURES THAT THE PILOTS SHOULD TAKE. THEN REQUIRE PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS INSPECTORS TO REVIEW AND AMEND, AS NECESSARY, AIR CARRIER MANUALS TO ENSURE THAT AIR CARRIER PROCEDURES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THIS GUIDANCE.
Safety Issue and Context
ON THE MORNING OF 10/28/98, 2 GALLONS OF A 35-PERCENT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION IN WATER, AN OXIDIZER WITH CORROSIVE PROPERTIES, SPILLED IN A CARGO COMPARTMENT OF NORTHWEST AIRLINES (NORTHWEST) FLIGHT 957, A PASSENGER-CARRYING AIRPLANE EN ROUTE FROM ORLANDO, FLORIDA, TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THE SOLUTION LEAKED FROM TWO UNDECLARED 1-GALLON PLASTIC BOTTLES THAT HAD SPLIT. THE BOTTLES WERE IN AN ICE CHEST THAT BELONGED TO A PASSENGER ON THE FLIGHT. THE LEAKING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE CONTAMINATED THREE MAIL SACKS AND AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF BAGS.
Response History
August 29, 2002 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The FAA issued Flight Standards Information Bulletin for Air Transportation (FSAT) 02?01, "In-flight Notification to Flightcrew of Possible Baggage/Cargo Contamination from Hazardous Materials Spills," which provides guidance to air carriers on the need to notify pilots in flight when baggage and cargo believed to have been involved in a hazardous materials spill have been placed on their aircraft. The bulletin directs POIs to recommend that standard operating procedures described in the guidance be incorporated into the air carrier's Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Program.
As specified in Safety Recommendation A-00-53, the FSAT provides guidance about the need to notify pilots in-flight when baggage or cargo involved in a hazardous material spill has been loaded on their aircraft. The Safety Board notes that FSAT 02-01 recommends rather than requires that carriers amend their procedures to be consistent with this guidance. The FSAT also indicates that if the air carrier fails to take the action recommended, the FAA may take action to analyze the risks. The Board believes that this is an acceptable alternative method of meeting the intent of the recommendation. Consequently, Safety Recommendation A-00-53 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Alternate Action."
April 3, 2002 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The FAA reports that it is issuing guidance to air carriers on the need to notify pilots in flight when baggage and cargo believed to have been involved in a hazardous materials spill have been placed on their aircraft. The FAA also reports that it will also ensure that air carrier manuals are amended to reflect this guidance. Pending issuance of guidance to air carriers by the FAA, and its subsequent review by the Safety Board, Safety Recommendation A-00-53 remains classified "Open--Acceptable Response."
April 1, 2002 · Recipient Response · FAA
Letter Mail Controlled 04/16/2002 5:46:27 PM MC# 2020396 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Flight Standards Information Bulletin for Air Transportation FSAT 02-01, In-flight Notification to Flightcrew of Possible Baggage/Cargo Contamination from Hazardous Materials Spills. The bulletin provides guidance to air carriers on the need to notify pilots in flight when baggage and cargo believed to have been involved in a hazardous materials spill have been placed on their aircraft.
The bulletin directs principal operations inspectors to recommend that standard operating procedures described in guidance be incorporated into the air carrier's Hazardous Materials/ Dangerous Goods Program. I have enclosed a copy of the bulletin for the Board's information. I consider the FAA's action to be completed on this safety recommendation.
January 3, 2002 · Recipient Response · FAA
Letter Mail Controlled 01/07/2002 11:49:52 AM MC# 2020024 The FAA is issuing guidance to air carriers on the need to notify pilots in flight when baggage and cargo believed to have been involved in a hazardous materials spill have been placed on their aircraft. The FAA will also ensure that air carrier manuals are amended to reflect this guidance. I will provide the Board with a copy of the guidance material as soon as it is issued.
December 5, 2000 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
PENDING THE ISSUANCE OF THE GUIDANCE, A-00-53 IS CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE."
August 18, 2000 · Recipient Response · FAA
Letter Mail Controlled 08/23/2000 3:14:28 PM MC# 2001130 THE FAA AGREES WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION AND WILL ISSUE GUIDANCE TO AIR CARRIERS ON THE NEED TO NOTIFY PILOTS IN FLIGHT WHEN BAGGAGE AND CARGO BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THEIR AIRCRAFT. THE FAA WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT AIR CARRIER MANUALS ARE AMENDED TO REFLECT THIS GUIDANCE. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE FAA WILL DEVELOP ITS GUIDANCE MATERIAL BY NOVEMBER 2000. I WILL PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH A COPY OF THE GUIDANCE MATERIAL AS SOON AS IT IS ISSUED.