Safety Recommendation A-00-080

The Safety Board notes that on November 18, 2003, the FAA issued Notice 8400.56, "Passenger Evacuation Checklist Procedures." Notice 8400.56 directs principal operations inspectors (POIs) to provide the information in the notice to their respective operators. The operators should review their abnormal and emergency checklists for procedures that would direct flight crews to initiate, or consider, an emergency evacuation in all emergencies that could reasonably require an aircraft evacuation (for example, a cabin fire or engine fire).

The notice further directs that POIs document any deficiencies related to passenger evacuation procedures in the Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem (PTRS) no later than 90 days after publication of the notice. The FAA informed the Safety Board that PTRS indicates that as of April 30, 2004, approximately 420 airlines had been checked. All of the airlines checked either were already in compliance with the notice, or had made appropriate changes.

The Safety Board also notes that on February 28, 2001, the FAA revised Order 8400.10, "Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook," paragraph 406, to direct POIs to encourage air carriers to evaluate guidance and training being given to their flight crews regarding a crew's decision to initiate or consider an emergency evacuation.

Order 8400.10 also directs POIs to ensure that their air carriers' guidance and training address most situations for which an emergency evacuation may be warranted, and directs POIs to encourage their air carriers to include a checklist item to initiate or consider emergency evacuation in all emergencies that could reasonably require an airplane evacuation.

Paragraph 406 of Order 8400.10, which encourages air carriers to take the recommended action, together with Notice 8400.56, which directs POIs to track their carriers' response to this guidance and to document deficiencies when found, meets the intent of the recommendation. Consequently, Safety Recommendation A-00-80 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Ms. Leach faxed to me a copy of FAA Notice 8400.56, "Passenger Evacuation Checklist Procedures," dated November 18, 2003. The action section of this Notice is shown below.

4. ACTION.

A. POIs shall provide the information in this notice to their respective operators by providing a copy of this notice to the program manager (part 91, subpart K), the director of safety (part 121), or the director of operations (part 135), or by referring them to the Web site indicated in paragraph 2.

B. Operators should review the abnormal and emergency checklists contained in company flight operations and safety manuals for procedures that would direct flightcrews to initiate, or consider, an emergency evacuation in all emergencies that could reasonably require an aircraft evacuation (e.g., cabin fire or engine fire).

C. POIs should review their operator's training program to determine if the operator has included evacuation procedures that call for, at minimum, evacuation through all available floor level exits that are not blocked by a hazard.

SWAT Meeting: The FAA said that the amendments being made to the CRM AC will include an emphasis for the crew pre-takeoff briefing to include an item on the need to initiate or consider initiating an emergency evacuation. They believe this will be an acceptable alternative method of meeting the intent of the recommendation.

Previously, the FAA noted that Order 8400.10 directs POIs to encourage air carriers to include the checklist item. The Board indicated that encouraging was not the same as requiring. However, if the FAA can provide evidence, through a Special Emphasis study or other means, that air carriers have adopted the recommended checklist item, this will satisfy this recommendation. The Board also noted that NASA Ames is currently studying checklists used in commercial aviation operations, and one of the items that study is considering placement of emergency evacuation on appropriate checklists.

Results The FAA will provide a copy of the AC when it is issued, and the Safety Board will consider if this meets the intent. Further, the FAA will consider developing information on how many carrier’s checklists contain the recommended item. If most carriers have the recommended item, this recommendation will be classified "Closed-Acceptable Action."

Safety Recommendation A-00-80 asks the FAA to require that flight operations manuals and safety manuals include an abnormal and emergency procedures checklist item that directs flight crews to initiate or consider an emergency evacuation during all emergencies that could reasonably require an evacuation. The Board notes that revised paragraph 406 in Order 8400.10 indicates that "each carrier should consider a checklist item" (emphasis added). The Board believes that considering a checklist item is not an acceptable substitute for requiring a checklist item. Pending completion of the recommended action, Safety Recommendation A?00?80 is classified "Open--Unacceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 08/10/2001 12:52:59 PM MC# 2010633: FAA Order 8400.10, Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook, paragraph 406, directs POIs to ncourage air carriers to evaluate guidance and training that is given to their flightcrews regarding a crew's decision to initiate or consider an emergency evacuation. POIs should ensure that their air carriers guidance and training addresses the majority of situations for which an emergency evacuation may be warranted, including smoke or fire in the cabin.

In addition, POIs should encourage their air carriers to include a checklist item that directs flightcrews to initiate or consider emergency evacuation in all emergencies that could reasonably require an airplane evacuation. I have enclosed a copy of the applicable portion of FAA Order 8400.10 for the Board's information. I believe that the FAA has addressed the full intent of this safety recommendation, and I consider the FAA's action to be completed.

Pending issuance of the bulletin, Safety Recommendation A-00-80 is classified "Open--Acceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 11/14/2000 4:39:44 PM MC# 2001688 The FAA agrees with the intent of this safety recommendation and will issue a flight standards handbook bulletin for air transportation. The bulletin will direct POI's to encourage their assigned carriers to evaluate the guidance that is given to their flightcrews regarding the crew's decision to initiate or consider an emergency evacuation. The bulletin will also recommend that each carrier add a checklist item that directs flightcrews to initiate or consider emergency evacuation in all emergencies that could reasonably require an airplane evacuation. The FAA anticipates issuing the bulletin by December 2000.

I will provide the Board with a copy of the bulletin as soon as it is issued.