SBN SMS 1 SRA Document 

### SBN SRA Documentation 

## Major Events in South Bend IN. Impact to Airport Operations

Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) Topic: The purpose of the SRA was to analyze the impacts on the airport of major events held in the city of South Bend. Specifically, events identified included Notre Dame Football games and presidential arrivals. Both types of events cause major disruption to the airport and require special operations and procedural changes to accommodate the event. The impacts and current procedures were analyzed to assess whether additional mitigations could improve the overall safety of handling these events at the airport.
NOTE: The panel participants agreed to focus on Notre Dame football games to narrow the discussion.
Existing System: The South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) is owned and operated by the St. Joseph County Airport Authority (SJCAA). SBN serves the City of South Bend IN, the northern region of the St ate of IN, and the southwest regi on of the State of Michigan.
Runways: 1. Runway 9R-27L, 8,412X 150 ft. (the primary) CAT I approaches to both ends 2. Runway 9L-27R, 4,300 X 75 ft. [General Aviation Aircraft (GA) use only] no precision approaches, GPS and VOR approaches only 3. Runway 18-36, 7,100 X 150 ft. no precision approaches, GP S and VOR approaches only
Taxiways: Parallel taxiway system exists for all thre e runways. Runway 9R-27L ha s duel parallel taxiways, on e on either side of the runway. Fixed Base Operator (FBO): SBN has one FBO, Atlantic Aviation. The FBO is located on the north side of Runway 9R-27L. The FBO provides ground handling services and refuels the majority of GA arriving and departing into SBN for major events.
Aircraft parking ramps: Several aircraft parking ramps are used for GA parking; including the FBO ramp, UPS cargo ramp, Executive ramp, and the “Football” ramp which is only used for major events that r equire overflow parking. The Football ramp is located across A Taxiway from the FBO. Use of the Football ramp sometimes requires the use and closure of Taxiways A-3 and A-4. The type of event and the wind direction (runway us e) will dictate whether A-3 and or A-4 ar e closed. On occasion, when the numbers of aircraft require more area for parking, Runway 18-36 is closed; and aircraft are parked between the parallel runways. However, Runway 18-36 has not been closed since the football ramp was opened. The Charter ramp, located on the south side of the airport, is used for t he arriving football teams’ aircraft. (See attached airfield layout plan for the location of the identified ramps).

Aircraft numbers and types: Based on SRA panel discussions, during the past three years the average number of aircraft on an event day is approximately 100. An event weekend duration is defined as noon on Friday until 1:00 PM on Sunday. The overall numbers for an event weekend are 1.5 times greater than a one-day event. Prior to the past three years, GA has numbered closer to 300 for the event weekend. Total event related GA operations may number as high as 750 for the entire weekend.
The types of GA very widely. However, GA most commonly includes sm all to medium size business aircraft, such as Citation Jets, Lears, and light twin engine. The arriving football teams typically use a Boeing 757.SBN SMS 2 SRA Document Current procedures: FBO: Smaller GA are parked on the FBO ramp, the Football ramp, and the Executive ramp. Medium to larger sized GA are parked on the UPS ramp. All GA are parked so they can start engines and taxi out without requiring another aircraft to move. The FBO ensures that all GA are parked to accommodate this procedure. The FBO marshals all arriving GA to parking areas and transports flight crews and passengers via shuttle buses to the FBO building for ground transportation. The FBO offers a reservation system for incoming GA. Approximately 50% of the ar riving GA take advantage of this system. The reservation system allows the FBO to be prepared to ac commodate the aircraft type and the number of passengers on board, as well as any special needs. The FBO uses a dispatcher working on the Unicom frequency, to take information from in-bound GA and relay that information to the marshallers and shuttle bus drivers. Information is relayed using Nextel phones. “Follow Me” carts are used to lead GA to their parking positions. Designated walking and driving routes are used and marked with cones to assist with the transportation of crews and passengers. The FBO employs additional personnel to assist from other Atlantic Aviation locations (other airports). The process is reversed for departing GA.
FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATC): During an event, the ATC closes A Taxiway between N Taxiway and A-2. This includes turnoffs A-3 and A-4 as previous mentioned. ATC directs landing GA to the FBO. ATC also uses a departure reservation system for the weekend events. This ensures individual GA has a specific departure time and therefore assists with dispersing and managing the volume of GA after the games. Additional staff is also deployed to provide additional oversight and staff rotations for controllers.
SJCAA: Operations Team: files Notice to Airman (Notam(s)) to close Taxiway A as a movement area; it remains open as a non-movement area, so it is still available for aircraft movement. Physical barricades are sometimes used to help identify the transition between movement and non-movement areas

. This facilitates the use of the Football ramp. Additional staff is assigned to the area to actively monitor and assist with GA parking, vehicle movements, and pedestrians. SJCAA operations team assists with the relocation of UPS aircraft from their cargo ramp to accommodate GA parking. SJCAA operations team gathers information from Atlantic Aviation concerning rental car reservations as well as other sources to facilitate discussion between the FBO, ATC, and SJ CAA regarding numbers of antic ipated aircraft. SJCAA also ho lds an annual meeting to discuss changes and/or logistics associated with the upcoming football season.

Exhibits: 1. Airport Layout drawing 2. Ramp designations 3. SJCAA Risk Matrix and definitions

Date: December 16, 2010 Facilitator: Dave Fleet (SMS Consultant) SRA Sponsor: Bruce MacLachlan, Manager for Operations and Maintenance SJCAA. Panel Participants Note: Sign in sheet is attached

.SBN SMS 3 SRA Document Hazard and Risk Assessment: The panel identified the following list of potential hazards: 1. Pedestrians on the airfield 2. Jetblast 3. Conflicting traffic on A taxiway (aircraft and vehicles) 4. Inexperienced pilots 5. Unfamiliar employees 6. Weather 7. Darkness 8. Disgruntled and inebriated fans 9. Noise 10. Additional Foreign Object Debris (FOD) 11. Human factors 12. Fire/emergency response
Table 1 identifies the potential hazards and the associated risk assessment. Note: the panel determined that after considering all the existing mitigations, not all hazards merited a full assessment of residual risk. Some hazards were combined to facilitate a concise risk assessment.

Table 1 - Hazard and Risk Identification Hazard Risk Risk Assessment Mitigation Residual Risk 1. Pedestrians on the airfield Impact to pedestrians Severity – Minor personal injury

Likelihood – Probable

Medium Risk 1. The FBO provides designated walking paths. 2. The FBO escorts all pedestrians to and from GA. 3. The FBO and the SJCAA maintain visual contact with all pedestrians while they are on the airfield. 4. The FBO trains all staff from other airports. 5. The FBO maintains a list of between 5 and 10 employees from other airports. Only those employees are allowed to work on major event days. MEDIUM

2. Aircraft and vehicles using A Taxiway simultaneously Incident or accident between aircraft and or equipment Severity – Major

Likelihood – Extremely Remote

Low Risk 1. All aircraft are marshaled to parking positions 2. Wingtip clearances are maintained between aircraft to ensure adequate vehicle and aircraft movement around the aircraft 3. Radio communications are established among the FBO, ATC, Pilots, and SJCAA 4. Low speeds are maintained for both aircraft and vehicles LOW

3. Aircraft and vehicles using A Taxiway Incursion of an adjacent movement area, especiallyRunway 9R27L Severity – Minor

Likelihood – Extremely Remote

Low Risk 1. Physical barricades are in place 2. Aircraft are parked to restrict exit from nonmovement areas 3. FBO staff are trained in ramp area and airfield operations 4. ATC maintains radio communication with SJCAA and the FBO 5. SJCAA actively monitors the ramp areas LOWSBN SMS 4 SRA Document Synopsis of Risk Assessment:
Hazard 1. The panel referred to limited records and their Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to determine when the last time a pedestrian was injured on the airfield. There were no records of such an incident and the SME could not recall anyone becoming injured on the airfield. However, because the jetblast and propwash were so prevalent, the panel believed that potential damage or irritation to eyes warranted a minor injury determination for Severity and a probable determination for Likelihood. The pane l also noted that due to the low speed of vehicles and aircraft on the ramp area, this increased separation and therefore improve d the margin of safety.

Hazard 2. The panel referred to limited records and their SME to determine when the last time an aircraft or vehicle was damaged on the airfield. The only record noted was an accident that occurred approximately seven years ago when a limo driver left the proximity of his escort and backed into an aircraft causing minor damage to the aircraft. Howeve r, this incident was unrelated to a major event. The panel also agreed that the low speeds of aircraft and vehicles increased separation and therefore improved the margin of safety.

Hazard 3. The last incursion at SBN occurred in 2007. Again, the incursion did not occur during a major event. The incursion occurred when an escorted vehicle took a turn too wide and incurred on A Taxiway. The last incursion that resulted in death and or catastrophic damage to an aircraft or vehicle was believed to have occurred in 1994. Therefore, the panel agreed that although the incursion occurred during a major event day, the existing mitigations result in Minor and Extremely Remote.
Note: most incursions at SBN have been associated with snow removal operations. Snow Removal might be a topic for a future SRA.
Potential Additional Mitigations: The panel discussed how to improve the current operations and procedures to increase safety and reduce the identified hazards and associated risks. A list of potential miti gations and actions items were developed.

1. Hold separate coordination meetings specifically to address a potential scenario when the airport cannot accommodate additional aircraft.
a. ACTION: The SJCAA will facilitate these meetings prior to 2011 football season. 2. Commission a study of the ramps and runways used to park aircraft to determine the maximum number of aircraft that can be parked in eac h area. The study should include th e types of aircraft, the clearances between aircraft, and clearances for vehicle mo vement such as emergency response.
a. ACTION: The SJCAA will assess the ability to commission this study with the goal of completing the study prior to the 2011 football season. 3. Develop a contingency plan for each aircraft parking area that will include findings from both Actions 1 and 2. The contingency plan is proposed to include an overall communication plan for internal and external communications within the airport community.
a. ACTION: The SJCAA will coordinate this meeting and document the plan. 4. Use barricades and or cones to mark pathways to the executive ramp and to demark routes to and from aircraft parking ramps and the FBO.
a. ACTION: The SJCAA will coordinate this effort with the FBO and incorporate it in the 2011 plan. 5. Use light stands to assist wi th nighttime operations.
a. ACTION: The SJCAA will determine placement for lighting devices that will not interfere with pilot vision.
The panel discussed that substantial progress had been made with in the last few years regardin g major events. Most of the mitigations listed above have been deployed within the past five years and each year improvements are made. The panel believes that these additional mitigations will provide a consist ent approach year to year and will prepare the airport communi ty for future events when 300 aircraft may be the average for Notre Dame Football games.SBN SMS 5 SRA Document Responsible Person Accepting Residual Risk SRA Document Preparer

Signature: Signature:

Title: Bruce MacLachlan, Manager of Operations and Maintenance Title: Dave Fleet, Principal, Dave Fleet Consulting LLC

Date: Date: January 16, 2010CAUTION: BE ALERT TO RUNWAY CROSSING CLEARANCES. READBACK OF ALL RUNWAY HOLDING INSTRUCTIONS IS REQUIRED. AIRPORT DIAGRAM

AIRPORT DIAGRAM SOUTH BEND, INDIANA (SBN) 10210

10210 SOUTH BEND, INDIANA (SBN) AL-399 (FAA)

JANUARY 2010

ANNUAL RATE OF CHANGE
0.1^ W 1 8

3 6 N-1

27R J-1 9 L

J-2

27L 9 R FIELD ELEV 799

4300 X 75 093.3^ 273.3^ N

N

N

N A A A A

B B B B B B B B-6 A-6

B-5 A-5 A-4 A-3

B-4 B-3 A-2

B-2 A-1

B-1 J J J

N-2

T x x x

86^ 18.0’ W 86^ 19.0’ W 41^ 43.0’ N

41^ 42.0’ N 183.2^

7100 X 150

003.2^ FED-X RAMP 8414 X 150 093.3^ ELEV 788 ELEV 780

EXECUTIVE
RAMP

NON- MOVE AREA

ELEV 769 ELEV 790 273.3^

MAIN RAMP

SAFETY COMPLEX ELEV 760 NON- MOVE AREA ILS HOLD

ILS HOLD SOUTH BEND RGNL

SOUTH BEND RGNL N-3 0.5% UP 0.5% DOWN

N

TERMINAL HANGARS ATIS
118.15 SOUTH BEND TOWER
118.9 257.8 GND CON
121.7 CLNC DEL
121.9

960 D

FAA TECHNICAL OPERATIONS TWR 884 FBO GENERAL AVIATION RAMP VAR 4.5^ W

RWY 09L-27R S-45,D-60 RWY 09R-27L S-100, D-175, 2S-175, 2D-300 RWY 18-36 S-100, D-175, 2S-175, 2D-300EC-2, 16 DEC 2010 to 13 JAN 2011EC-2, 16 DEC 2010 to 13 JAN 2011