Safety Recommendation A-00-078

At the April 6 meeting, the FAA stated that as of April 1, 2004, there were only 9 Fokker 28 and 36 Fokker 100 aircraft operating in the United States, and these aircraft are being retired and taken out of service. In view of the small and declining number of Fokker 28 and Fokker 100 aircraft that remain in service, Safety Recommendation A-00-78 is classified "Closed--No Longer Applicable."

At the 4/6/04 SWAT meeting the FAA supplied information indicating that on April 1, 2004, there were 36 Fokker 100 aircraft, and 9 Fokker 28 aircraft operating in the United States.

The Safety Board is disappointed by the FAA's response. The FAA's own research, conducted at the Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) and referenced in the letter that transmitted this recommendation to the FAA, found significant differences in evacuation times based on flight attendants' initial position. The CAMI research found evacuations with flight attendants 24 feet aft of their primary emergency exits proceeded significantly more slowly than evacuations with a flight attendant next to the exit. Delays resulting from passenger inability to open the exit or indecisiveness can be reduced if flight attendants are available to assist.

These results were presented at the 1998 International Aircraft Fire and Cabin Safety Research Conference, November 16-20, 1998, Atlantic City, New Jersey [see Proceedings: Mark George and Cynthia Corbett (CAMI), "Effects of Cabin Crew Location and Passenger Motivation on Aircraft Evacuations," DOT/FAA/AR-99/68, CD-ROM (Federal Aviation Administration, European Joint Aviation Authorities, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau, 1999)]. In its July 25, 2001, letter to the FAA on this recommendation, the Safety Board noted that the FAA had not yet published a full report on the results of the CAMI research and asked the FAA to complete this work soon.

The Board reiterates this request and asks the FAA to use these research results and reconsider its decision on this recommendation. Pending reconsideration and completion of the recommended action, Safety Recommendation A-00-78 is classified "Open--Unacceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 08/10/2001 12:52:59 PM MC# 2010633: The FAA completed its review of this safety recommendation and concluded that moving the location of the aft flight attendant on the Fokker 28 and Fokker 100 is not possible. 14 CFR 121.391(d) states, in part, that during takeoff and landing, flight attendants required by this section shall be located as near as practicable to required floor level exits. Flight attendants shall be uniformly distributed throughout the airplane to provide the most effective egress of passengers in the event of an emergency evacuation.

In establishing the proper location of the flight attendant to provide the most effective egress of passengers in the event of an emergency, the FAA must consider the unique characteristics of the Fokker F-28 and F-100 aircraft. The flight attendant is critical in effecting positive control and direction of the passengers in the aft section of the aircraft during an emergency evacuation. The FAA determined that moving the aft flight attendant to the overwing exit position would not position the flight attendant near a required floor-level exit.

In addition, moving the aft flight attendant would not be consistent with the requirement to distribute flight attendants uniformly throughout the aircraft to provide the most effective egress of passengers during an emergency evacuation. Moving the aft flight attendant to the overwing exit position also leaves the aft section of the aircraft without flight attendant surveillance during the critical phases of flight. I believe that the FAA has evaluated this safety recommendation completely, and I consider the FAA's action to be completed.

The Board is aware that the FAA's CAMI conducted two series of evacuation experiments examining the influence of flight attendant location on evacuation times when using Type III overwing exits. The Safety Board believes this research is very relevant to the issues raised in this recommendation; however, the Board is unaware of any publicly available reports documenting these experiments. One of these studies was conducted in December 1995, and the other was conducted in April 1997. The Board is concerned that this important research has not been placed in the scientific literature, nor are the results of these experiments available to the public.

The Board urges the FAA to issue reports documenting the experiments conducted, and the findings of these two studies. The FAA states that it will inform the Board of its course of action. Pending the requirement that the aft flight attendants on Fokker 28 and Fokker 100 airplanes be seated adjacent to the overwing exits, Safety Recommendation A-00-78 is classified "Open--Acceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 11/14/2000 4:39:44 PM MC# 2001688 The FAA is currently reviewing this safety recommendation. 14 CFR 121.391(d) states, in part, that during takeoff and landing, flight attendants required by this section shall be located as near as practicable to required floor level exits. Flight attendants shall be uniformly distributed throughout the airplane to provide the most effective egress of passengers in the event of an emergency evacuation. In establishing the proper location of the flight attendant to provide the most effective egress of passengers in the event of an emergency, the FAA must consider the unique characteristics of the Fokker F-28 and F-100 aircraft.

The flight attendant is critical in effecting positive control and direction of the passengers in the aft section of the aircraft during an emergency evacuation. It is anticipated that the FAA will complete its review of this safety recommendation by December 2000. I will inform the Board of the FAA's course of action to address this safety recommendation as soon as the review is completed.