Safety Recommendation A-00-083

The action taken by the FAA addresses the Safety Board's concern in this recommendation that crew commands are consistent with those used for certification. Consequently, Safety Recommendation A-00-83 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Letter Mail Controlled 08/10/2001 12:52:59 PM MC# 2010633: This safety recommendation was issued based on the Board's conclusion that evacuations involving slide use could be delayed if passengers sit at exits before boarding a slide or if crew commands do not direct assengers how to get onto a slide. Consequently, the FAA has revised Order 8400.10, Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook, paragraph 1976. This paragraph direct POIs and CSIs to review the commands used by their assigned certificate holders for slide evacuations to ensure that they are effective in getting passengers out of the aircraft as quickly and safely as possible.

Paragraph 1976 specifically states that air carriers should not use the command "sit" prior to using the evacuation slides to exit the aircraft during an emergency 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-00-83 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 review their assigned air carrier's procedures and training programs to ensure that the commands used for slide evacuations are consistent with the commands used for slide evacuations during airplane certification. 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.