NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-88-121
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: DEVELOP WRITTEN GUIDELINES FOR USE BY PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING AIR CARRIER FACILITIES, REQUIRE THOSE PERSONS TO DETERMINE IF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING NOTICES ARE "PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED" IN ALL REQUIRED LOCATIONS, AND REQUIRE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AS NECESSARY.
Safety Issue and Context
ON FEBRUARY 3, 1988, AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 132, A MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-83, DEPARTED DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TEXAS, FOR NASHVILLE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, TENNESSEE. IN ADDITION TO THE PASSENGER LUGGAGE IN THE MIDCARGO COMPARTMENT, FLIGHT 132 WAS LOADED WITH A 104 POUND FIBER DRUM OF TEXTILE TREATMENT CHEMICALS. UNDECLARED AND IMPROPERLY PACKAGED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INSIDE THE FIBER DRUM INCLUDED 5 GALLONS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION AND 25 POUNDS OF A SODIUM ORTHOSILICATE-BASED MIXTURE. WHILE IN FLIGHT, A FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND A DEADHEADING FIRST OFFICER NOTIFIED THE COCKPIT CREW OF SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN.
THE PASSENGER CABIN FLOOR ABOVE THE CARGO COMPARTMENT WAS HOT AND SOFT, AND THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAD TO MOVE PASSENGERS FROM THE AFFECTED AREA. THE CAPTAIN, WHO WAS AWARE OF A MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WITH THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT (APU) ON AN EARLIER FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN IN-FLIGHT FUMES, WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT'S REPORT OF SMOKE. NO IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED. AFTER LANDING, THE CAPTAIN NOTIFIED NASHVILLE GROUND CONTROL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT, AND HE REQUESTED FIRE EQUIPMENT. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS THEN INITIATED PROCEDURES TO EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE ON THE TAXIWAY.
ABOUT 2 MINUTES 8 SECONDS AFTER THE PLANE LANDED, THE 120 PASSENGERS AND 6 CREWMEMBERS BEGAN EVACUATING THE AIRPLANE. AFTER THE PLANE WAS EVACUATED, CRASH/FIRE/RESCUE PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT.
Response History
August 30, 1989 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
Thank you for the FAA response to the National Transportation Safety Board's Safety Recommendation A-88-121. This safety recommendation concerns written guidelines for inspecting and correcting hazardous materials warning notices at air carrier facilities. The FAA previous response indicated that the FAA had revised the hazardous materials inspection report form as a near-term action and that a revision was planned for the guidance material used by the inspectors. Due to the release of the guidelines in the form of a memorandum to the Civil Aviation Security Divisions, Safety Recommendation A-88-121 has been changed to "Closed--Acceptable Action."
July 3, 1989 · Recipient Response · FAA
(SUMMARIZED. FOR FULL TEXT, PLEASE REFER TO FAA LETTER ON FILE.) ON JANUARY 5, 1989, THE FAA TOLD THE SAFETY BOARD THAT THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INSPECTOR REPORT FORM HAD BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE A SPECIFIC ENTRY FOR WARNING SIGNAGE. ALL FAA SECURITY INSPECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO INSPECT WARNING SIGNS. ON APRIL 10, 1989, THE FAA ISSUED A MEMORANDUM TO ALL CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY DIVISION MANAGERS SETTING FORTH THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS. COPIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO ATA, AOCI, & AAAE.
January 5, 1989 · Recipient Response · FAA
THE FAA AGREES WITH THE INTENT OF THIS SAFETY RECOMMENDATION AND HAS INITIATED EFFORTS TO INCREASE EMPHASIS ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING SIGN REQUIREMENTS. ON OCTOBER 1, 1988, THE FAA AMENDED THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INSPECTOR REPORT FORM TO INCLUDE A SPECIFIC ENTRY FOR WARNING SIGNAGE. ALL FAA SECURITY INSPECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO INSPECT WARNING SIGNS DURING AIR CARRIER COMPREHENSIVE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FACILITY INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE WARNING SIGNS ARE DISPLAYED IN AN APPROPRIATE AREA.
THE FAA IS AMENDING THE GUIDANCE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN ITS MEMORANDUM DATED JANUARY 19, 1981, TO DEFINE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING SIGN UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR 175.25. THE NEW GUIDELINES WILL BE FORWARDED TO ALL CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY INSPECTORS.