SAFO 08002: Recommended Use of Cockpit Voice Recorder During Ground Operations

SAFOSafety Alert For Operators

U.S. Department SAFO 08002

of Transportation DATE: 1/11/08

Federal Aviation

Administration Flight Standards Service

Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO.

SUBJECT: Recommended Use of Cockpit Voice Recorder During Ground Operations

Purpose: This SAFO supersedes InFO 07017 published on August 3, 2007. This SAFO reinforces the recommendation that operators enable their cockpit voice recorder (CVR) before and during performance of engine run-ups, other tests, and ground operations conducted by maintenance or ground personnel.

Background: An incident occurred during an engine run-up of a GE CF6-80A engine on a Boeing 767 under the control of maintenance personnel. The incident involved an uncontained failure of the high-pressure turbine stage, the conditions of which may have been audibly detectable and recorded by the CVR.

Discussion: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) among other investigative agencies ensure that CVR equipment are designed and implemented to record communications and other detectable sounds while on the ground, as well as in flight. Such communications and sounds can assist in an evaluation of an incident if one occurs while the aircraft is under power and operated by maintenance or ground personnel engaged in performing engine run-ups or other operational tests.

The CVR could potentially capture communications and other detectable sounds or audible disturbances that would be preserved for later analysis by the NTSB or other investigating agencies, as well as operators, manufacturers and others in their assessment of cause or conditions leading to or resulting in consequential incidents.

While the CVR is not accessible by the NTSB or other agencies for other than post-incident or accident investigation unless the aircraft is operating under its own power and is under the control by a qualified flight crewmember with the intent of taking flight, the CVR recording can assist in determining the root causes of failures which may lead to improving safety.

Recommended Action: Operators, Directors of Operations, Chief Pilots, Directors of Maintenance, and maintenance personnel of aircraft are encouraged to perform ground operations including functional tests with the CVR operational for purposes of post-incident investigation or evaluation, should such incident occur. Questions or comments on this SAFO should be addressed to the Aircraft Maintenance Division, AFS-300, (202) 267-3807.

Approved by: AFS-300