Safety Recommendation A-07-110

The NTSB is pleased with the CAA’s extensive efforts to address this recommendation, including the development and dissemination of a template for each member carrier to use to submit the most valuable information to ARFF on each of their aircraft types and support given to the ARFF Working Group in establishing a comprehensive database that ARFF Incident Commanders can access from a mobile data terminal or a laptop computer.

The NTSB is also pleased that, in addition to the template data provided by carriers, the database can access airport structure layouts, weather programs, the wireless information system for emergency responders (WISER) hazardous materials identification program, and other useful information. Because the CAA’s efforts surpass the recommended action, Safety Recommendation A-07-110 is classified CLOSED -- EXCEEDS RECOMMENDED ACTION.

Letter Mail Controlled 6/16/2010 11:13:14 AM MC# 2100200 - From Yvette A. Rose, Senior Vice President: As noted in our letter dated March 17, 2008, the CAA and other industry trade Associations, airlines, manufacturers, the IPA labor union and aircraft rescue and fire fighters through the ARFF Working Group communicated early and often to develop a specific action plan and template in order to implement the Recommendation. The parties committed to working together since the issuance of the Recommendation and have been encouraged by the results of our efforts. The specific measures taken to address this Recommendation are as follows: 1.

Developed a Charter and Action Plan for the Committee. 2. Developed a template for each cargo carrier to use to submit the most valuable information to aircraft rescue and fire fighters on each of their aircraft type(s). 3. Disseminated the template to the all-cargo carriers. 4. Received the required information, to the extent feasible, directly from major cargo airlines or through publicly available sources. 5. Worked with the FAA on other Recommendations related to this accident and coordinated efforts on issues such as fire suppression. 6.

Currently working with the FAA, UPS, FedEx Express and the FAA's contractor SAIC to develop a DVD/video component to provide guidance for ARFF response, tactics and strategy for incidents involving cargo aircraft fires. 7. Relayed the chart and diagram information to the ARFF Working Group to disseminate to the aircraft rescue and fire fighting community through a new comprehensive database created by ARFF Working Group members. 8. The ARFF Working Group has taken the lead on the dissemination of the aircraft chart and diagram information through the database and the database also includes many more useful aspects aimed at assisting aircraft rescue fire fighters. 9.

ARFF Working Group and Cargo Airline Association members have provided comments and suggestions for the development of the FAA's new Advisory Circular titled, "High Reach Extendible Turrets", currently out for comment. With the specific measures outlined above, we are confident that safe operations when responding to fires or other emergencies at our nation's airports involving all-cargo aircraft has been enhanced and improved upon. However, throughout this process, it became evident that a continued emphasis must be placed on communication between the fire fighters and the airlines, as well as an awareness of the uniqueness of the cargo industry as a whole.

The CAA responded that it has communicated with a number of organizations, including the Air Transport Association, Aerospace Industries Association, the Independent Pilots Association, and the ARFF Working Group to discuss the plans for responding to this recommendation. Representatives of these organizations have held conference calls, and the group is currently preparing a course of action to address the recommendation. Pending the CAA’s taking the action recommended, Safety Recommendation A-07-110 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Letter Mail Controlled 3/18/2008 9:57:24 AM MC# 2080130: - From Yvette A. Rose, Senior Vice President: In response to the above-referenced Safety Recommendation (Recommendation) issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on December 17, 2007, the Cargo Airline Association (CAA) respectfully submits the following information. The CAA commends the NTSB for issuing this Recommendation which once implemented will allow our airport’s fire fighters to utilize better information when responding to cargo aircraft emergencies.

Since the issuance of the Recommendation, we have been in communication with several aviation related associations, including the Air Transport Association (ATA), Aerospace Industries Association (AIA,), and as specifically noted in the Recommendation, the ARFF Working Group to discuss our plans for moving forward. Moreover, we have reached out to the Independent Pilots Association (PA), as this 9 organization was a party to the NTSB’s investigation of the accident in question and has been an advocate for aircraft rescue and fire fighting issues. The group has met via phone and is currently planning a specific course of action to address the issues raised in the Recommendation.

The CAA is confident a mutually-agreed upon method to implement the Recommendation can be accomplished within 3-6 months.