Source: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.recsearch/Recommendation.aspx?Rec=A-11-089
Timestamp: 2019-03-23 11:00:40
Document Index: 80187356

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 121', 'arts 121', 'arts 25', 'arts 91', 'arts 121', 'arts 121', 'arts 121', 'arts 135', 'arts 121']

Safety Recommendation A-11-089
Recommendation: TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Require operators of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91 subpart K flights to include, during initial and recurrent training, aircraft-specific training on establishing and maintaining internal cockpit communications when the oxygen masks are donned.
Date Closed: 1/19/2018
Response: Although the guidance contained in Advisory Circular (AC) 120-80A, “In-Flight Fires,” is responsive to Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -91, we previously told you that, because compliance with an AC is not mandatory, you would need to require principal operations inspectors to verify that their assigned operators have incorporated the appropriate elements of the AC into their operations manuals. We note, however, that you do not intend to verify this information, nor do you intend to take any additional actions in response to these recommendations. Consequently, Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -91 are classified CLOSED--UNACCEPTABLE ACTION.
Response: -From Michael P. Huerta, Administrator: On December 22, 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Advisory Circular (AC) 120-80A, In-Flight fires. This AC updates information regarding the hazards and risks of in-flight fires on transport category aircraft and includes recommended crewmember procedures and training for combating in-flight fires. AC I 20-80A directs operations training managers of parts 121 , 135, and 91 subpart K (91 K) operators to the related regulations in parts 25, 91 , 121 , and 135. This AC also provides clear guidance and discusses the importance of flight crewmember initial and recurrent hands-on training in the operation and use of oxygen masks and goggles. AC 120-80A can be found at the following Web site: https://www.faa.gov/regulations policies/advisory_ circulars/index.cfm/ go/document. information/document! Oil 026526 The AC was posted for public comment for 90 days and received 15 comments from the public, trade and labor organizations, and international civil aviation authorities. Each comment was reviewed and several were incorporated into the AC or added as a reference. AC l 20-80A encourages each operator to determine the most appropriate action for their specific operation using the AC, while remaining consistent with relevant regulatory requirements, system safety methodologies, and safety risk assessments. In its letter dated December 7, 2015, the Board stated that AC l 20-80A contains guidance that addresses Safety Recommendations A-11 -88 through -91 , but noted that compliance with an AC is not mandatory. Although the AC is an advisory document and not regulatory in nature, it is applicable to, and directs operators certificated under parts 91 K, 121, 125, and 135 to acceptable forms of compliance with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, we do not plan to pursue rulemaking to require operators to include recommended crewmember procedures and training for combating in-flight fires or the operation and use of oxygen masks and goggles. We believe the existence of current regulatory requirements is adequate to ensure operators implement their safety and emergency procedures. I believe the FAA has effectively addressed these safety recommendations and consider our actions complete.
Response: We believe that AC 120-80A contains guidance that addresses Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -91, except that compliance with an AC is not mandatory. Therefore, to satisfy the intent of these recommendations, you would also need to verify that air carriers have incorporated the appropriate elements of the AC into their operations manuals. Pending completion of this final action, Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -90 are classified OPEN—ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE, and Safety Recommendation A-11-91 remains classified “Open—Acceptable Response.”
Response: The FAA’s plan to revise AC 120-80, “In-Flight Fires,” to recommend that operators include the training specified above in their initial and recurrent training programs will not satisfy these recommendations. Although principle operations inspectors are expected to monitor whether the air carriers assigned to them have incorporated the appropriate elements of ACs into their ops manuals, compliance with an AC is not mandatory. Therefore, a requirement is needed to ensure that operators have taken the recommended action. Pending our review of a plan that will ensure that the specified training is incorporated by all operators, Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -90 are classified OPEN—UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
Response: -From Michael P. Huerta, Administrator: As mentioned in our response dated December 14, 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had planned to issue a Notice directing all principal operations inspectors to conduct a review of their assigned parts 121, 135, and 91 subpart K operators' training programs and emergency checklists concerning the use of oxygen masks. Recognizing the importance of proper oxygen mask use, we decided to revise Advisory Circular (AC) 120-80, In Flight Fires, instead of issuing a Notice. While compliance with ACs is not mandatory, FAA principal operations inspectors are expected, as part of their routine work, to monitor that the air carriers assigned to them have incorporated the appropriate elements of ACs into their operations manuals. For this reason, we have determined that an AC is an appropriate response to these recommendations. The AC is applicable to operations under parts 121, 135, and 91 subpart K. The AC recommends that initial and recurrent training for parts 121, 135, and 91 subpart K operators include the following: • Tactile, hands-on training on the use of operable oxygen mask/goggle sets, including the use of the regulator's emergency selector and the venting of the s_moke goggles; • Aircraft-specific training on establishing and maintaining internal cockpit communications when the oxygen masks are donned; and • Flight crew education about the importance of stowing their oxygen masks set to 100 percent. The AC revision is currently in internal review at the FAA, and we anticipate publication in June 2014. I will keep the Board informed of the FAA's progress on these safety recommendations and provide an updated response by December 2013.
Response: The FAA reported that it plans to (1) issue a notice to direct all principal operations inspectors to review their assigned operator’s training programs and emergency checklists that address the use of oxygen masks and then (2) review this information to determine whether operators should revise the safety and emergency procedures as they relate to oxygen mask and goggle use. Accordingly, pending completion of the recommended actions, Safety Recommendations A-11-88 through -90 are classified OPEN—ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
Response: -From Michael P. Huerta, Acting Administrator: We agree that are-emphasis of the proper use of oxygen masks is important. We plan to review parts 135, 121, and 91 subpart K operators' training programs to determine if operators should revise their safety and emergency procedures as they relate to oxygen mask and goggle use. We also plan to develop a Notice directing all principal operations inspectors to conduct a review of their assigned parts 121, 135, and 91 subpart K operator's training programs and emergency checklists concerning the use of oxygen masks. We anticipate publishing the Notice by January 1, 2012, with a 90-day suspense date. The information collected from this review will determine what future steps the FAA make take with regard to these recommendations.
Response: CC# 201100387: THIS LETTER IS FROM MITCHELL R. NICHOLS, PRESIDENT OF UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CO. (UPS). THIS LETTER IS NOT FROM THE ADDRESSEE, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: I commend the NTSB for issuing crewmember oxygen mask recommendations A-11-87 through -91 on September 20, 2011. As UPSers, we are also deeply interested in improving safety and training for smoke and fire events and, as a result of early information from the investigation fed back into the company for safely purposes, have taken steps toward improving our emergency procedures and crew training. As a result of the Flight 6 accident, UPS formed a Safety Task Force (STF) composed of UPS flight-qualified and non-flight-qualified management personnel and Independent Pilots Association (IPA) safety group members. Their mission is to provide solutions which increase safety by developing methods, evaluating technology and enhancing training for successfully managing smoke or fire events in an aircraft. In February 201 I the UPS/IPA Safety Task Force issued oxygen mask and checklist recommendations to the company nearly identical to those recently issued by the NTSB. UPS management agreed with the Task Force recommendations and acted quickly to improve safety. These procedures have always been included in the UPS checklists, but with the additional attention given to oxygen mask training, there is renewed emphasis on this process. In fact, UPS is taking this one step further. Future training is being enhanced to include communication in smoke• filled environments.