FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 15001: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 Air Carrier Operations on Restricted Runways
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts airplane operators to the requirement that airport aeronautical data must include information obtained from Airport Facility Directories (AFD), Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) or via Notices to Airmen (NOTAM), and other approved sources for restricted runways.
Why It Matters
On July 29, 2014 at 05:51 CDT, a Boeing 737 air carrier airplane was cleared by the tower to depart on a runway which was not authorized for scheduled air carrier aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats. The incident was quickly rectified by the airport authority with the local control tower; however it brought to light the issue of an air carrier operating on a runway that is restricted by NOTAM or in the AFD.
Recommended Action
Directors of safety and directors of operations (Part 121); should review the Airport Aeronautical Data program approved in OpSpec A009 to ensure that information for runways that are restricted in the AIP, AFD or via NOTAMs or other approved sources are distributed to operations personnel to include dispatch personnel and pilots prior to beginning each flight/mission/leg. Non-certificated runways should not be available for the calculation of takeoff or landing data to further enhance safety and minimize the inherent risk in an aircraft being able to depart or land on a non-approved or certificated runway.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: AFS-200 OPR: AFS-240
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department SAFO 15001
of Transportation DATE: 12/24/14
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: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 Air Carrier Operations on Restricted Runways
Purpose: This SAFO alerts airplane operators to the requirement that airport aeronautical data must include information obtained from Airport Facility Directories (AFD), Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) or via Notices to Airmen (NOTAM), and other approved sources for restricted runways.
Background: On July 29, 2014 at 05:51 CDT, a Boeing 737 air carrier airplane was cleared by the tower to depart on a runway which was not authorized for scheduled air carrier aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats. The incident was quickly rectified by the airport authority with the local control tower; however it brought to light the issue of an air carrier operating on a runway that is restricted by NOTAM or in the AFD. The runway in question was annotated in the AFD under the Airport Remarks section as being restricted for scheduled air carrier operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled air carrier operations at least 31 passenger seats.
Discussion: Air Carrier’s operating under part 121 are required by § 121.97(b) or § 121.117(b) to have an approved system for obtaining, maintaining, and distributing, to appropriate personnel, current aeronautical data for each airport it uses to ensure a safe operation at that airport. This system is approved in Operations Specification (OpSpec) paragraph A009, Airports Aeronautical Data.
Recommended Action: Directors of safety and directors of operations (Part 121); should review the Airport Aeronautical Data program approved in OpSpec A009 to ensure that information for runways that are restricted in the AIP, AFD or via NOTAMs or other approved sources are distributed to operations personnel to include dispatch personnel and pilots prior to beginning each flight/mission/leg. Non-certificated runways should not be available for the calculation of takeoff or landing data to further enhance safety and minimize the inherent risk in an aircraft being able to depart or land on a non-approved or certificated runway.
Contact: Questions or comments concerning this SAFO can be directed to the Air Transportation, New Program Implementation Branch, AFS-240 at (202) 267-8166.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 15001