NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-00-089
Recommendation
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require air carriers that operate Boeing 727's to include in the auxiliary power unit (APU) procedures instructions that when passengers are on board, the flight crew will make a public address announcement about APU starts immediately prior to starting the APU.
Safety Issue and Context
Since its inception, the National Transportation Safety Board has been concerned about the evacuation of commercial airplanes in the event of an emergency. Several accidents investigated by the Safety Board in the last decade that involved emergency evacuations prompted the Safety Board to conduct a study on the evacuation of commercial airplanes.
Response History
January 3, 2002 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The revisions made by the FAA to paragraph 443(F) of Order 8400.10 are responsive to Safety Recommendation A-00-89, which is now classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."
July 30, 2001 · Recipient Response · FAA
Letter Mail Controlled 08/10/2001 12:52:59 PM MC# 2020633: FAA Order 8400.10, Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook, paragraph 443(F), directs POIs to ensure that their assigned certificate holders who operate Boeing 727s include additional instructions in their auxiliary power unit (APU). The instructions should state that, during normal operations when passengers are on board, the flightcrew make an announcement over the public address system about the possibility of APU torching immediately prior to starting the APU. 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.
July 25, 2001 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
Pending completion of the recommended actions, Safety Recommendation A-00-89 is classified "Open--Acceptable Response."
November 8, 2000 · Recipient Response · FAA
Letter Mail Controlled 11/14/2000 4:39:44 PM MC# 2001688 The FAA agrees with the intent of this recommendation. On March 22, 1996, the FAA issued Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for Air Transportation 96-03, Unwarranted Evacuations. I have enclosed a copy of the bulletin for the Board's information. The bulletin directed POI's to encourage their operators to reemphasize emergency situation training modules and emergency evacuation procedures on unwarranted evacuations, including appropriate actions on aircraft that are equipped with an auxiliary power unit, which have a tendency to torch.
The bulletin did not, however, include specific procedures that can be used by air carriers. Consequently, the FAA will issue a flight standards handbook bulletin for air transportation to provide guidance that outlines appropriate actions and specific procedures that can be utilized by air carriers operating Boeing 727's to preclude unwarranted evacuations caused by auxiliary power unit torching. The bulletin will direct POI's to reevaluate the current procedures that their assigned certificate holders have in place to determine if they are adequate. It is anticipated that the bulletin will be issued by December 2000.
I will provide the Board with a copy of the bulletin as soon as it is issued.