Safety Recommendation A-00-086

The Safety Board believes that the technological advances in on-board graphics displays have provided more options for improved preflight safety briefings. The Board agrees with the FAA that air carriers are making better use of technology installed on new aircraft. However, the Board is concerned that the FAA has taken no direct action to research creative and effective methods to use this new technology to address the problem of passenger inattention to briefings. The FAA indicated in the October 3, 2003, meeting that no additional research in this area is planned. E-mail correspondence in December 2003 confirmed that no new information on the issue is available.

The Board is disappointed that the FAA does not intend to further address the passenger inattention issue despite the new technology available. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation A-00-86 is classified "Closed--Unacceptable Action."

For A-00-86 and -87, we said we would provide information on new technology being used and how the new technology more effectively conveys the information in a more comprehensive manner. However, we found that we cannot provide this information as explained below. Let me know if you need anything else from us to close these two recommendations.

Concerning new technology for passenger safety information:

Previous FAA studies in human factors and extensive experience by air carriers in actual operations have shown that graphics are more effective than text, especially for passengers who are not fluent in written or spoken English and that moving graphics may enhance the effectiveness of static graphic images. Many airlines are using overhead and seatback monitors for this purpose, and as aircraft are upgraded or new aircraft are put into service, the ability to use moving graphics in proximity to passengers to convey safety briefing information will increase.

However, the FAA cannot provide actual examples of overhead or seatback systems to the NTSB, though air carriers who use such systems would likely provide any demonstration or comparison the Board requires.

SWAT meeting: The FAA believes that new technology (primarily video systems for pre-flight briefings) is satisfying the intent of these recommendations. The FAA also believes that no additional research on these subjects is needed. Safety Board staff asked if the information is being conveyed more effectively with the new technology. Both sides agreed that comprehensibility of emergency evacuation information is the goal.

Results:

The FAA will write to the Safety Board on the new technology being used, and how this new technology more effectively conveys the information in a more comprehensible manner. The Safety Board will consider the information presented.

The Safety Board's evacuation study found that the current practice is not adequately conveying safety information to passengers. The Board is unaware of any research or studies that have compared or evaluated how effective the current technologies are when used in safety briefings. For example, the Board would like to know whether passenger attention and knowledge retention of a video safety briefing have been objectively compared with a safety briefing by a live flight attendant. The Board asks the FAA to reconsider its position on identifying creative and effective methods of conveying safety information to passengers.

Pending the FAA's taking the recommended actions, Safety Recommendation A-00-86 is classified "Open--Unacceptable Response."

Letter Mail Controlled 11/14/2000 4:39:44 PM MC# 2001688 The FAA agrees that passenger inattention to safety briefings needs to be addressed by each air carrier in its crewmember training programs, flight attendant procedures, and methods of communicating passenger safety information. The FAA does not, however, believe that additional research needs to be initiated in order to address this issue. The FAA believes that current state-of-the-art technology is effective and already being used in the aviation industry. On February 1, 1999, the FAA issued AC 121-24B, Passenger Safety Information Briefing and Briefing Cards. I have enclosed a copy of the AC for the Board's information.

The AC provides updated information regarding the items that are required to be, or should be, covered in oral passenger briefings and on passenger briefing cards for air carrier operations conducted under 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135. The AC was intended to encourage air carriers to address these issues and to provide guidance in the development of safety briefings. Many airlines are using briefing video presentations for their safety briefings because they consistently deliver a professional and informative product. Current safety briefing videos usually include evacuation procedures, exit operation, and instructions on the use of evacuation slides.

As airlines acquire newer generation aircraft that are equipped for video presentations, the numbers of passengers who receive safety briefing in video format will increase. Although the FAA does not agree that additional research needs to be initiated as suggested by the Board, it will continue to encourage air carriers to use innovative ways to present safety information to passengers. I believe that the FAA has addressed the full intent of this safety recommendation, and I consider the FAA's action to be completed.