Airbus Safety First Mag - Jan 2013 PDF
Airbus Safety First Mag - Jan 2013 PDF
Airbus Safety First Mag - Jan 2013 PDF
Contents:
q The Golden Rules for Pilots
Moving from PNF to PM
q Airbus Crosswind
Issue
15
Safety
Safety First
The Airbus Safety Magazine For the enhancement of safe flight through increased knowledge and communications
Safety First is published by the Flight Safety Department of Airbus. It is a source of specialist safety information for the restricted use of flight and ground crew members who fly and maintain Airbus aircraft. It is also distributed to other selected organisations. Material for publication is obtained from multiple sources and includes selected information from the Airbus Flight Safety Confidential Reporting System, incident and accident investigation reports, system tests and flight tests. Material is also obtained from sources within the airline industry, studies and reports from government agencies and other aviation sources. All articles in Safety First are presented for information only and are not intended to replace ICAO guidelines, standards or recommended practices, operator-mandated requirements or technical orders. The contents do not supersede any requirements mandated by the State of Registry of the Operators aircraft or supersede or amend any Airbus type-specific AFM, AMM, FCOM, MEL documentation or any other approved documentation. Articles may be reprinted without permission, except where copyright source is indicated, but with acknowledgement to Airbus. Where Airbus is not the author, the contents of the article do not necessarily reflect the views of Airbus, neither do they indicate Company policy. Contributions, comment and feedback are welcome. For technical reasons the editors may be required to make editorial changes to manuscripts, however every effort will be made to preserve the intended meaning of the original. Enquiries related to this publication should be addressed to:
Airbus Product Safety department (GS) 1, rond point Maurice Bellonte 31707 Blagnac Cedex - France Contact: Nils FAYAUD E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +33(0)5 61 93 44 29
Airbus S.A.S. 2013 All rights reserved. Proprietary documents. By taking delivery of this Brochure (hereafter Brochure), you accept on behalf of your company to comply with the following guidelines: 3 No other intellectual property rights are granted by the delivery of this Brochure than the right to read it, for the sole purpose of information. 3 This Brochure and its content shall not be modified and its illustrations and photos shall not be reproduced without prior written consent of Airbus.
Safety First, #15 January 2013. Safety First is published by Airbus S.A.S. - 1, rond point Maurice Bellonte - 31707 Blagnac Cedex/ France. Editor: Yannick Malinge, Chief Product Safety Officer, Nils Fayaud, Director Product Safety Information. Concept Design by Airbus Multi Media Support Ref. 20122260. Computer Graphic by Quatcoul. Copyright: GS 420.1329 Issue 15. Photos copyright Airbus. Photos by ExM Company. Printed in France by Airbus Print Centre.
3 This Brochure and the materials it contains shall not, in whole or in part, be sold, rented, or licensed to any third party subject to payment. This Brochure contains sensitive information that is correct at the time of going to press. This information involves a number of factors that could change over time, effecting the true public representation. Airbus assumes no obligation to update any information contained in this document or with respect to the information described herein. Airbus S.A.S. shall assume no liability for any damage in connection with the use of this Brochure and of the materials it contains, even if Airbus S.A.S. has been advised of the likelihood of such damages.
Yannick MALINGE
Chief Product Safety Officer
Editorial
Firstly, let me wish you all a Happy and Safe New year as we enter into 2013. Our first magazine of this year presents to you a variety of articles covering a broad range of topics from good maintenance practices through to an insight into the crosswind certification of our aircraft. It is sometimes true that we get what we hope for. It is even truer that we often get what we work hard to achieve. All industry Safety professionals have been working hard and successfully, to reduce the rate of accidents and major incidents. We have collectively reached the point where it is now difficult to see obvious and clear trends and easy to fix things with the tools we use today. Whilst a surface examination looks good, we also know that not far under that surface lie many threats and risks. We simply cannot allow the system to relax, nor can we ever afford to become complacent. So how should we proceed? We must now dig deeper. We must dig into the growing volume of data that is available to us through our various data gathering programmes, be they LOSA, FOQA, FDA, FOA, ASIAS or whatever, and seek out the clues and the threads of information that will lead us to being able to prevent a future accident from happening. Such an approach represents three challenges. Firstly, the ability to collate, understand and act on so much data across the industry will require dedicated professionals with knowledge and determination to get at the answers. Secondly, and importantly, the industry wide collective challenge to face up to and address issues, which may appear to be minor in themselves, but that may end up developing into major threats over time or when combined with other minor threats. Finally, but not least, even if significant progress has been made over the years, we have to find ways of further improving the sharing of lessons learned across boundaries. We cannot go backwards, nor can we ease up for even a minute in our joint efforts to drive Safety to the next level. May I therefore wish you all a successful year in your pursuit of increasing levels of Safety, in your area of our business during 2013. Yannick MALINGE Chief Product Safety Officer
Contents
The Airbus Safety Magazine Information ................................................... 4 The Golden Rules for Pilots Moving from PNF to PM ................................ 5 David OWENS
Safety
Nils Fayaud
Director Product Safety Information
Information
Magazine distribution If you wish to subscribe to Safety First, please fill out the subscription form that you will find at the end of this issue. Please note that the paper copies will only be forwarded to professional addresses. Your articles As already said, this magazine is a tool to help share information. We would appreciate articles from operators, that we can pass to other operators through the magazine. If you have any inputs then please contact Nils Fayaud at: e-mail: [email protected] fax : +33 (0) 5 61 93 44 29 Safety Information on the Airbus websites On the AirbusWorld website we are building up more safety information for you to use. The present and previous i ssues of Safety First can be accessed to in the Flight Operations Community- Safety and Operational Materials portal-, at https://w3.airbusworld.com Other safety and operational expertise publications, like the Getting to Grips withbrochures, e-briefings etcare regularly released as well in the Flight Operations Community at the above site. If you do not yet have access rights, please contact your IT administrator.
Flight Safety Hotline: +33 (0)6 29 80 86 66 E-mail: [email protected]
News
19th
Bangkok, 18-21 March 2013
Another year has nearly passed since our last Flight Safety Conference in Berlin. All the Airbus people who were present enjoyed very much the opportunity to network with our customers and to share ideas and news. It was the most successful conference yet both in terms of the numbers of people and airlines attending and in the feedback we received. The 19th Flight Safety Conference will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from the 18th to the 21st of March 2013.
The Flight Safety Conference provides an excellent forum for the exchange of information between Airbus and its customers. To ensure that we can have an open dialogue to promote flight safety across the fleet, we are unable to accept outside parties. The formal invitations with information regarding registration and logistics, as well as the preliminary agenda have been sent to our customers in December 2012.
For any information regarding invitations, please contact Mrs. Nuria Soler, email [email protected] This year we will be looking at several interesting topics including the role of training in leveraging safety, unstable approaches, runway excursions and we will also include some more traditional reminders of issues that simply do not want to go away. As always, we welcome presentations from our operators. You can participate as a speaker and share your ideas and experience for improving aviation safety. If you have something you believe will benefit other operators and/or Airbus and if you are interested in being a speaker, please provide us with a brief abstract and a bio or resume at [email protected]
David OWENS
Senior Director Training Policy
GOLDEN RULES
FOR PILOTS
XKP12371
2. QANTAS QF32
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Preliminary Report Released 3 December 2010 :
On 4 November 2010, at 0157 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), an Airbus A380 aircraft, registered VH-OQA (OQA), being operated as Qantas flight 32, departed from runway 20 centre (20C) at Changi Airport, Singapore for Sydney, New South Wales. On board the aircraft were five flight crew, 24 cabin crew and 440 passengers (a total of 469 persons on board).
Figure 1 A380 in Qantas livery
Following a normal takeoff, the crew retracted the landing gear and flaps. The crew reported that, while maintaining 250 kts in the climb and passing 7,000 ft above mean sea level, they heard two almost coincident loud bangs, followed shortly after by indications of a failure of the No 2 engine. The crew advised Singapore Air Traffic Control of the situation and were provided with radar vectors to a holding pattern. The crew undertook a series of actions before returning the aircraft to land at Singapore. There were no reported injuries to the crew or passengers on the aircraft. A subsequent examination of the aircraft indicated that the No 2 engine had sustained an uncontained failure of the Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine disc. Sections of the liberated disc penetrated the left wing and the left wing-to-fuselage fairing, resulting in structural and systems damage to the aircraft.
Safety
In various interviews and statements the crew recognise that Crew Resource Management (CRM) gave them the ability to manage this challenging event. They have spoken of Synergy in Action, the goal of CRM, and effective teamwork. They had plenty of fuel and therefore time and options. They acknowledge the impressive performance of the aircraft and their training and knowledge.
From a training point of view it doesnt matter what aeroplane you are flying, airmanship has to take over. In fact, Airbus has some Golden Rules which we all adhered to on the day aviate, navigate and communicate in that order.
Royal Aeronautical Society, 6 December 2010 So, what are the Golden Rules? When should they be used and why? The following four Golden Rules for Pilots are applicable to all normal operations and any abnormal or emergency situations:
qFly, navigate and communicate q Use the appropriate level q Understand the FMA
Figure 2 QF32 n2 engine after it sustained an uncontained failure of the Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine disc
Tasksharing should be adapted to the prevailing situation (i.e. tasksharing for hand flying or with the Auto Pilot engaged, task sharing for normal operation or for abnormal / emergency conditions) and tasks should be accomplished in accordance with the following priorities:
3.1.1 Fly
MONITORING role, which is why Airbus will be changing its documentation over the next year to fully reflect and highlight the importance of Pilot Monitoring (PM). Wherever you see PNF, think PM! Both pilots must remain focused on their task as PF or PM, not allow anything to distract them. This is what we mean by appropriate tasksharing. Both pilots must maintain their Situational Awareness and immediately resolve any uncertainty as a crew.
3.1.2 Navigate
do not go as expected.
3.1 Fly, navigate and communicate In this order and with appropriate tasksharing. Just as the crew of QF 32 stated, the number one priority in any event and at all times is to fly the aircraft; this is the first Golden Rule.
The Pilot Flying (PF) must focus on flying the aircraft by controlling and / or monitoring the pitch attitude, bank angle, airspeed, thrust, sideslip, heading etc. to capture and maintain the desired vertical and lateral flight path. The Pilot Not Flying (PNF) must assist the Pilot Flying (PF) by actively monitoring all flight parameters and actively directing the attention of the PF to any excessive deviation. Actively monitoring is a key message, we want to emphasize the
3.1.3 Communicate
To sum up:
qMonitor your FMA qAnnounce your FMA qConfirm your FMA qUnderstand your FMA.
want to emphasize the PM function and its essential role in flight safety:
Questioning, and if that is not enough Challenging, and if that is still not enough Taking-over.
Effective communication enables the sharing of goals and intentions and enhances situational awareness. To ensure positive communication, the flight crew must use standard phraseology and applicable callouts.
3.2 Use the appropriate level of automation at all times To fly the aircraft the crew must comply with `Golden Rule number 2. On highly automated and integrated aircraft, several levels of automation are available to perform a given task. The appropriate level of automation depends on the situation and task; taking into account the forecast or actual weather, any malfunction or crew incapacitation. Pilot judgment prevails for the choice of automation level, including the choice to fly manually. qUnderstand the implication of the intended level of automation qSelect the intended level qConfirm the aircraft responds as expected. This leads us to Golden Rule number 3. 3.3 Understand the FMA at all times Any action on the FCU, or on the MCDU/KCCU, should be confirmed by crosschecking the corresponding annunciation or data on the PFD or ND. At all times, the PF and PM should be aware of: qThe armed or engaged modes qThe guidance targets set q The aircraft response in terms of attitude, speed and trajectory, etc q Any mode transitions or reversions.
3.4 Take action if things do not go as expected If the aircraft does not follow the desired vertical or lateral flight path or the selected target, the crew should react without delay: q By PF changing the level of automation: From managed guidance to selected guidance, or From selected guidance to manual flying; or
Never assume that any crewmember is aware of a particular threat, error or deviation and remember that incapacitation may be subtle; act before it is too late.
4. Conclusion
1 Fly, navigate and communicate: 2 Use the appropriate level of automation at all times 3 Understand the FMA at all times 4 Take action if things do not go as expected
Apply these Golden Rules, use them always and support each other. The rules have been proven to make a difference. Just like the crew of Qantas QF 32, remember to always Fly the Aircraft .. Fly the Aircraft Fly the Aircraft
Safety
Frank CHAPMAN
Experimental Test Pilot
2. History
Historically, there were two methods of computation. For early certifications, ATC tower winds were used to assess the level of crosswind experienced at take-off and landing by flight test crews. This was done with an old fashioned anemometric recording system, registering wind values at a nominal 10 metres above ground level. This method evolved into using aircraft generated cross wind data by calculating the 10 m high wind using the difference between the True Air Speed (TAS) vector and the IRS computed Ground Speed (GS) vector during a 20 second period (+_10 sec) around takeoff and landing. However, as natural IRS drift creates inaccuracy, this had to be taken into account. The drift value had to be periodically measured in order to correct IRS Ground Speed. With the advent of Differential GPS (DGPS) and more recent on-board instrumentation systems, the GS vector is now calculated using highly accurate data and, therefore, this correction is no longer necessary. In the early days of certification, when using tower winds, the average wind values were taken over the previous two minutes and the gust values over the previous 10 min period. Although ICAO considers wind gusts only if the peak value exceeds the two minute average by 10 kt, some airport weather services provide gust values lower than 10 kt. This method is still used for the broadcast of ATC tower winds. With the new flight test methodology, however, a much more representative assessment of the aircraft capability is achieved. With the early Airbus certifications, we provided Average plus Gust values in our FCOMs. However, it was felt by many that this format complicated the decision making process. Therefore, following a period of study beginning in 2004 we have now moved to a Single Value, Gust Included. This effectively means that a direct comparison of the maximum demonstrated value (provided by us, the manufacturer) can be made against the maximum value communicated by the Tower or ATIS, including the gust if announced.
off and landing. However, this may influence the final choice of demonstrated crosswind value provided and will almost certainly impact the procedure for applying take-off power. Manufacturers can choose to automatically limit engine regime for certain Ground Speeds if necessary, in much the same way that they sometimes automatically avoid certain rpm ranges to avoid fan blade flutter for example. However, there is always a slight compromise, in order to ensure that take-off performance is not significantly reduced as a result. Limitations are imposed for the A380 and A340 500/600, for example, where the engine limitations are more penalizing than the demonstrated crosswind limitation and this is published in the FCOM limitations section.
5. Take-Off Technique
Engine manufacturers design choice plays a large part in the initial procedural approach to setting take-off thrust and, as mentioned above, may be crosswind limiting. Significant lateral control should be avoided during the take-off run in order to prevent extension of spoilers which will have a detrimental effect on performance and may induce some directional disturbance. With strong crosswinds there will be a natural tendency for the aircraft to roll away from the wind at lift-off and this can be compensated for by a smooth lateral input as the aircraft becomes airborne.
Extract from A330/A340 FCTM information on take-off roll (all Airbus programs share the same philosophy):
For crosswind take-offs, routine use of into wind aileron is not recommended. In strong crosswind conditions, small amounts of lateral control may be used to maintain wings level, but the pilot should avoid using excessive amounts. This causes excessive spoiler deployment, which increases the aircrafts tendency to turn into wind, reduces lift, and increases drag. Spoiler deflection starts to become significant with more than half side stick deflection. As the aircraft lifts off, any lateral control applied will result in a roll rate demand. The objective is for the wings to be maintained level.
This philosophy applies to the entire Airbus fleet. Although the lateral stick displacement threshold for spoiler deployment varies a little between types, the objective of avoiding unnecessary spoiler deployment however remains valid.
10
Safety
6. Landing Technique
The wings level technique is recommended. In particularly strong crosswinds kicking off around two third drift as a minimum is normally sufficient to ensure that the lateral stresses are not excessive on the undercarriage at touchdown (max residual drift 5 deg at touchdown), whilst at the same time ensuring minimum risk of a downwind drift away from the runway centreline. This has been applied to all aircraft from the A300/310, where roll/yaw coupling during
decrab is marked due to the wingsweep/dihedral effect, through the single aisle and long range Fly By Wire (FBW) aircraft where lateral compensation is similarly required and to the A380 where flight control law compensation provides a pure yaw response to rudder pedal input. Where small amounts of lateral control are eventually required, avoid excessive bank angles (max bank angle 5 deg). Aim for a positive touchdown and do not be tempted to finesse the touchdown or float for any considerable time. This will inevitably lead to a downwind drift away from the centreline.
For the A380, and in the near future for the A350 XWB, there is no apparent induced roll when kicking off drift in the flare due to flight control law compensation. The flare laws in these two types have been adapted to produce a pure yaw demand when applying rudder to reduce drift prior to touchdown. Of course, the flight control surfaces are providing the lateral input for you, behind the scenes, in order to prevent the natural lateral stability of the aircraft from producing the induced rolling effect. However, this is transparent to the pilot who is looking down the runway to ensure he lands his aircraft in the right place without excessive drift.
Extract from A380 FCTM information on lateral and directional control (all Airbus programs share the same philosophy):
FINAL APPROACH In crosswind conditions, the flight crew should fly a "crabbed" final approach wings level, with the aircraft (cockpit) positioned on the extended runway centerline until the flare. FLARE The objectives of the lateral and directional control of the aircraft during the flare are: To land on the centerline To minimize the loads on the main landing gear.
Figure 2 "Crabbed" final approach to Keflavik, Iceland. Picture taken from the south taxiway with the runway easily visible. Maximum reported crosswind at the time was 56 kt in gusts
The recommended de-crab technique is to use the following: The rudder to align the aircraft with the runway heading during the flare The roll control, if needed, to maintain the aircraft on the runway centerline. The flight crew should counteract any tendency to drift downwind by an appropriate lateral(roll) input on the sidestick. In the case of strong crosswind during the de-crab phase, the PF should be prepared to add small bank angle into the wind to maintain the aircraft on the runway centerline. The flight crew can land the aircraft with a partial de-crab (i.e. a residual crab angle up to about 5 deg) to prevent an excessive bank. This technique prevents wing tip or engine nacelle strike caused by an excessive bank angle. Therefore it is wise to know what the maximum bank angle is during the flare phase for the type you are flying so as to ensure no such strikes. As a consequence, this can result in touching down with some bank angle into the wind, therefore, with the upwind landing gear first.
11
One further point is worth mentioning, because we see repeated cases in Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) data in which less than optimum crosswind touchdowns are made: the response to rudder pedal input at the decrab is positive for all our aircraft. However, due to pure aerodynamics and inertia it takes a reasonable time from the input being made to the aircraft reacting. If we were hand-flying in crosswinds every day, we would become very well tuned to the aircraft response and make a perfect crosswind landing every time (I wish!). However, there appears to be a tendency, borne out by operational Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) data, towards a late initiation of the decrab. This is perhaps natural, since the risks associated with an early decrab are perhaps more severe. However, practice, as always, is the key. Any opportunity in the simulator, even if not truly representative of the flying the real aircraft is invaluable, as the response time to rudder input should be representative.
wheel loading and braking be sufficiently high and this can be caused by the crosswind itself or by lateral stick input. Furthermore, autobrake systems do not always provide a useful aid in this regard, as they will apply braking regardless of whether one main-wheel bogie alone has released brake pressure due to antiskid operation. In all cases, brakes and reverse should be applied smoothly. If there is any concern with directional controllability then reduce or cancel reverse as necessary and reduce braking until control is regained. Then smoothly re-apply brakes and reverse if necessary.
ever. As ND wind on A320 Family/A330/A340 is derived from IRS data, indications may be significantly different from reality. This is due to the lack of correction for the IRS drift, mentioned earlier. On A380 (and in the future for A350 XWB), the use of GPS Ground Speed for the ND wind display provides a more reliable additional source of information. Ultimately, it is the Captain who is called upon to use his judgement and skill, based upon all the data and knowledge available to him. Remember also that if your aircraft has a degraded flight control system through MEL clearance or in flight failure, then a more severe crosswind limitation may apply. Similarly, an engine out condition will imply a limited ability to correct for drift in one direction. Again a more restrictive limitation may exist.
8. Operational Implications
With the FCOM provided maximum demonstrated crosswind value and the tower provided current wind value, the decision making process is not always easy for the pilot on approach in limiting wind conditions. Runway condition is also a factor critical to maintaining lateral control once on the ground and has to be considered. Companies may provide operation recommendations, but the topography around the touchdown zone can sometimes lead to significant variations of actual winds experienced. Local knowledge is very useful and often incorporated in specific airfield briefs. It is perhaps natural, therefore, that many pilots glance at the ND windspeed indication during approach to help them in their decision making process. There is a catch here, how-
9. Autoland Certification
Certification of autoland and its associated wind limitations is done based upon a statistical analysis of autolands carried out during flight test and certification. These values should be treated as hard limits for the autoland system. Although, in theory, if the tower winds indicate that you are within the autoland crosswind limit you can continue to make your autoland, common sense would indicate that you take care, as in reality the winds could be beyond the autoland system capability. As always, be ever ready to take over manually should the need occur.
the aircraft direction of travel (runway centerline) runway centerline, which further increases the tendency to skid sideways.
10. Conclusion
The maximum demonstrated crosswind is just that: a demonstrated value that was observed during certification based upon the weather conditions that we were able to find during the flight test campaign. Companies may define their own limitations based upon their own experience. For the line Captain, asking himself whether he can land or take-off in the crosswind conditions of the day, he should take all information available to him in the decision making process. Tower wind may be the starting point, but it is not the whole story. Ultimately the responsibility rests with the Captain and if there is any doubt, discontinue the approach. As always, the anticipation of what is coming is the key to a successful outcome.
Unequal weight distribution on the main landing gear during touchdown and braking also produces a yawing moment. This can be destabilizing should the asymmetric
12
Safety
Peimann TOFIGHI-NIAKI
Senior Engineer, A320 Family/A330/A340 Standards Flight Operations Support and Safety Enhancement
2.2 The Difficulty to Identify the Smoke Source As stated in the introduction, Airbus decided to classify the known sources of smoke into two different categories:
qThe smoke sources that are easier
2. Procedure Development
The procedure takes into account three decisive challenges common to non immediately identified sources of smoke:
q The shortage of time q The difficulty to identify
to locate, because they have an ECAM and/or a local warning, and for which there are available means of fire treatment: CARGO LAVATORY CREW REST COMPARTMENT
difficult to locate, which may, or may not, be covered by an ECAM alert and that are considered more difficult to deal with: AVIONICS AIR COND CABIN EQUIPMENT
13
As stated above, these three smoke sources call for the single SMOKE/ FUMES/AVNCS SMOKE procedure.
In a smoke situation this message alerts the crew to anticipate the diversion. The procedure is then designed around the following action blocks:
qImmediate Actions qAT ANY TIME Items q Diversion Decision qTroubleshooting.
note 1
The QRH SMOKE/FUMES/AVNCS SMOKE paper procedure is to be applied whenever the source of smoke is suspected to be AVIONICS, AIR COND, CABIN EQUIPMENT or in case of doubt about the smoke origin. If another smoke warning is triggered (e.g. LAVATORY SMOKE), the flight crew must apply the dedicated existing procedure.
3.1 Immediate Actions The first action block of the procedure is referred to as the Immediate Actions (fig. 1). They have been designed to be quick, simple, and reversible. They are actions that will not make the situation worse, and prevent recirculation. They protect the crew and ensure communication. Immediate Actions must be applied without delay and prior to any further assessment from the flight crew.
3. Procedure Phylosophy
The trigger of a smoke alert is either an ECAM message, or a visual or olfactory perception of smoke (by either cabin or cockpit crew). As soon as an alert is triggered, for which there is no dedicated procedure, the flight crew must apply the SMOKE/ FUMES/AVNCS SMOKE procedure without delay. Both ECAM and QRH paper procedures are totally compatible with one another. As mentioned in 2.1, the procedure starts with a LAND ASAP message.
3.2 AT ANY TIME Items The AT ANY TIME items must be applied if the smoke becomes the greatest threat or if the situation becomes unmanageable (fig. 2). As the name suggests, the flight crew can apply the AT ANY TIME items at any stage of the procedure, provided that they have at least completed the immediate actions. These items must be known by memory. It is important to keep in mind that the smoke removal procedure does not stop the smoke source but rather aims at removing the smoke from the cockpit.
14
Safety
The electrical emergency configuration aims to shed as much equipment as possible. It is important to note that in electrical emergency configuration, smoke removal cannot be performed. Therefore if considered necessary, the smoke removal procedure must be applied before the electrical emergency configuration is set. Finally, if the situation becomes unmanageable, if the flight crew is not able to maintain the control of the aircraft until an airfield is reached, then an immediate landing is to be considered.
Figure 3 Diversion Decision Making
3.4 Troubleshooting Once the diversion is initiated, the troubleshooting may be carried on in an attempt to identify and fight the origin of the smoke. The identification will be undertaken by
isolating different systems and assessing smoke dissipation. The different smoke sources listed for troubleshooting in the procedure appear in the most probable to least probable order.
Anticipate Diversion
note 2
As mentioned in 2.1, The Immediate Landing term, found in the paper SMOKE/FUMES/AVNCS SMOKE procedure, means: Accept exceptional circumstances such as a tailwind landing, ditching, off airport landing etc.
YES ISOLATE
Q1
NO
Q1: is the smoke source immediately obvious, accessible and extinguishable?
3.3 Diversion Decision Making The crew should consider the following two questions, which constitute the core of the SMOKE/FUMES/ AVNCS procedure: q Is the smoke source immediately obvious, accessible and extinguishable? q If this is the case, can it be isolated? If the answer to these two questions is YES, then this is the end of the procedure. On the other hand, if the answer to at least one of the two above questions is NO, then the diversion must be initiated. In case of doubt a diversion should be initiated (fig. 3).
Q2
YES
NO
Q2: Was the smoke source isolated?
END of proc
initiate Diversion
4. Conclusion
In 2002 the SMOKE/FUMES/ AVNCS procedure replaced three different smoke procedures applicable to smoke sources that were difficult to locate: AVIONICS, AIR COND, CABIN EQUIPMENT. The other sources of smoke - CARGO, LAVATORY, CREW REST COMPARTMENT- , which are easier to trace, have kept their own dedicated procedures. The SMOKE/FUMES/AVNCS procedure had to integrate the need to act quickly, the difficulty to identify the smoke source and the necessity to involve both cockpit and cabin crews. Equally, the challenge was to design a single procedure that would cover the largest number of situations while keeping it as simple as possible. The SMOKE/FUMES/AVNCS procedure starts with an alert to anticipate a diversion and is then designed around four action blocks:
qImmediate Actions q AT ANY TIME Items q Diversion Decision Making qTroubleshooting.
Task Sharing For Cabin Crew Airbus has developed a precise task sharing for cabin crew, which can be found in the Operators Cabin Crew Operating Manual (CCOM), or in the Getting To Grips with Cabin Safety publication, available on Airbus World. The task sharing identifies three main roles within a cabin crew working team, each having a specific task to best prevent any escalation of the event.
The general action flow calls for the Immediate Actions to be performed first, followed by the decision on whether or not to divert. The troubleshooting actions are performed last. As implied by the title, the AT ANY TIME items should be performed immediately whenever the smoke/ fumes becomes the greatest threat or whenever the situation becomes unmanageable.
15
Franois LEFEBVRE
Head of Quality Basics and FOD
Post-flight investigation revealed that the aircrafts Primary Electrical Power Distribution Centre (PEPDC), located at the rear of the cockpit, was partially burnt.
Figure 1 A short circuit caused by a contact pin burnt an A380 power distribution centre
The common point to all these families of objects is that they may all affect the safety of operations, depending on where they are located on-board aircraft. This article will illustrate, through a few examples, how foreign objects may impact safety and will give some recommendations on how to implement an efficient prevention program to minimize FOD occurrences.
The root cause for the short circuit was a contact pin, which had migrated trough the ventilation grid of the equipment (fig. 1). Here are three examples of different foreign objects that were luckily found before any damage could be created:
q Gloves, earplugs, metal clamps
q Hardware (consumables
and a plastic cap were discovered in the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) compartment. It was determined that these objects could have lead to an APU shutdown (fig. 2).
2. Examples of FODs
There are many ways in which a foreign object can impair safety: a small metallic part may lead to an electric arc inside an electric cupboard, a plastic sheet may clog a bleed pipe or a fuel pump etc... Here is an in-service incident, which illustrates the potential effect of internal foreign objects: on a landing A380, the crew perceived an electrical burning smell. They were then unable to stow an engine and experienced problems with the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Then, at power-off, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed.
16
Safety
zontal stabilizer. This FOD could have lead to a blockage of the elevator servo control (Fig. 3 & 4).
Figure 3 A320 horizontal stabilizer
a major FOD risk. The zones are closed and a clear safety impact has been identified. There is a high risk of migration of foreign objects to adjacent areas e.g. avionic or electrical bays, tanks, servo-valves or pipes.
Once the zoning has been defined, decisions have to be taken regarding:
q The visual identification of these
zones, through standardized FOD logos, ground markings, etc these zones, linked to access rights, work rules, tool usage and carriage of personal objects.
be used, to ensure that the rules are widely known and understood by all stakeholders.
3. FOD Prevention
Herewith are six recommendations to implement an efficient FOD prevention program:
q Define FOD risk zones qIntroduce housekeeping/
cleanliness rules
3.1 Definition of FOD Risk Zones An aircraft may be divided into three classes of FOD risk zones: qNon-sensitive zones: characterized by a low risk of FOD e.g. primary parts, sections/products without zones closure. qSensitive zones: characterized by a moderate FOD risk. The zones are closed, but the impact of foreign objects is assessed as limited, notably concerning the migration of these foreign objects to other areas e.g. cabin overhead bins.
3.2 Introduction of Housekeeping and Cleanliness Rules Introducing proper housekeeping and cleanliness rules will help minimizing the number of foreign objects. The 5S standard (ref A) has been originally developed by the automotive industry. This international standard calls for a reduction of the number of tools and other objects to be used in the work areas and contains simple rules related to housekeeping and cleanliness. A good practice to avoid FODs, is to install code protected lockers in the vicinity of FOD risky areas, where personnel entering these zones may leave non-useful tools and personal objects like mobile phone, money, keys etc (Fig. 5). A further good practice is to define a dress code including work-wears without pockets, but with a dedicated belt and bag to carry a limited number of personal objects like a pen or handkerchief (Fig. 6).
Figure 5 Code protected l ockers in the vicinity of FOD risky areas
17
3.3 Management of Hand Tools Managing hand tools is key to avoid having screwdrivers, lights, wrenches, drill bits, etc. remain in the aircraft. Several solutions should be considered: q Equipping tool boxes/cabinets with shadow boards, one form per tool, allows to easily detect missing tools (Fig. 7). q Introducing inventory rules at the beginning and end of each shift ensures that no missing tool goes undetected. q Limiting access to tool cabinets by badge ensures that only the authorized user of that cabinet will utilize the enclosed tools. q Setting RFID chips on individual tools will allow for an efficient tracing. q Tools kitting consist in having small tools boxes or mallets prepared with only the tools needed for a specified job, not more! q Means should be put in place to declare lost tools and to analyse the data so as to come up with answers to reduce these occurrences. These solutions should then be promoted to the shop floor. The implementation of a lost tool process highlights the message that leaving a tool in an aircraft is not acceptable. The personnel declaring a loss is expected to do his/her best to relocate the missing effect. q Tools identification, through laser etching for example, will ease the missing tool list cross-checking when a tool is found. It will also allow to identify the owner of the tool.
3.4 FOD Declaration, Recording and Feedback q The declaration, recording and communication about lost tools should be broadened to encompass all families of foreign objects. All foreign objects should be declared and recorded. FOD trends should be analysed to identify why they are left in the aircraft and pertinent mitigation means should be defined. Last but not least, these mitigation means should then be actively promoted to all stakeholders to ensure a good implementation. 3.5 Training for FOD Awareness The training allows to: q Make people aware that foreign objects left in an aircraft may impact safety, thereby obtaining their adherence to FOD mitigation procedures. q Inform personnel on how to follow these procedures.
That training should be given to all the people working on the aircraft, whether direct employees or external staff, as well as to their managers. It would be advisable as well to give people working in support functions, on the ground floor, a basic FOD awareness course.
4. Conclusion
Internal foreign objects may take many forms, but they all potentially represent a threat to safe aircraft operation. This threat should be mitigated by implementing a sound Foreign Object Damage (FOD) program, which calls for:
q The definition of FOD q The management of hand tools q The declaration, analysis
the management.
risk zones
All above recommendations are currently being implemented by Airbus on its manufacturing sites.
References A:
q 5 S for operators: 5 pillars of the visual workplace
Figure 7 Tool box with shadow boards to easily detect missing tools
18
Safety
David HILL
Head of Maintenance Programs Engineering - Structures Customer Services
3. Types of Corrosion
There are several types of corrosion:
qpitting qgalvanic qcrevice qexfoliation qintergranular.
2. What is Corrosion?
Essentially, corrosion is the combination of damaged or missing protective coatings causing exposed metals and fluid ingress or contact between metallic and non metallic structure (e.g. aluminium to carbon fibre). A chemical reaction sets up a positive and negative electrical charge (cathode and anode, like a battery) and the subsequent chemical reaction dissolves and breaks down the metal.
3.1 Pitting Corrosion Pitting corrosion is a localized form of corrosion by which cavities or "holes" are produced in the material. Pitting corrosion damage is difficult to detect, predict and design against. Corrosion products often cover the pits. Many small, narrow pits with minimal overall metal loss can lead to degradation of the structural strength and initiate cracking.
Fluid ingress
Sealant
Aluminium skin
Corrosion
19
3.2 Galvanic Corrosion When a galvanic couple forms between metals, one of the metals in the couple becomes the anode and corrodes faster than it would all by itself, while the other becomes the cathode (the battery effect) and corrodes slower than it would alone. In the case of a metallic and non-metallic (Carbon or composite material) couple, then the metal part will corrode and potentially cause deformation damage to the non-metallic part, also reducing the strength of the assembly. For galvanic corrosion to occur, three conditions must be present: q Electrochemically dissimilar metals must be present q These metals must be in electrical contact, and q The metals must be exposed to an electrolyte. 3.3 Exfoliation Corrosion Exfoliation corrosion is corrosion that can occur along aluminum grain boundaries. These grain boundaries in both aluminum sheet and plate are oriented in layers parallel due to the rolling process. The delamination of these thin layers of the aluminum, with white corrosion deposits between the layers, is evident as the surface protections appear distorted, revealing the white deposits.
Figure 3 Example of galvanic corrosion of a galley storage container caused by a well known brand of soft drink
3.4 Crevice Corrosion Crevice corrosion is a localized form of corrosion usually associated with a stagnant solution on the micro-environmental level (toilet floor beams, bilges, etc). This occurs in crevices (shielded areas) such as under gaskets, washers, insulation material, fastener heads, surface deposits, disbonded coatings, threads, lap joints and clamps. Crevice corrosion is initiated by changes in local chemistry within the crevice.
Figure 5 Example of crevice corrosion
3.5 Intergranular Corrosion This type of corrosion is at the grain boundaries of the metal alloys and can be encountered in alloy castings, stainless steel alloys and 2000, 5000, and 7000 series aluminium alloys. Intergranular or intercrystalline corrosion (IGC) is the preferential attack of the grain boundaries or closely adjacent grains without significant attack of the grains themselves. The material can become susceptible to corrosion attack or crack propagation if under tensile stress. Research and design have reduced this phenomena significantly.
Figure 6 Example of intergranular corrosion
runway de-icer, cargo spillages, food/ drinks, human waste, etc are susceptible. So, areas around and underneath galleys and toilets, cargo bay bilges, exterior of the aircraft, fwd/aft wing spars, landing gear bays, flight controls, exterior skins, and fuel tanks are all to be considered.
20
Safety
Figure 7 Corrosion of a galley foot fitting may lead to the failure of the security of the galley (or toilet) monument and could cause the monument to detach
Figure 11 Corrosion of electrical bondings, vital for aircraft systems safety (lightening strike, static electricity discharge, etc), could cause them to become ineffective
Figure 12 Corrosion between the interlaying surfaces of aerial connections could lead to loss of communication
Figure 8 Accumulation of corrosive "products" below a leaking toilet could reduce the thickness of the structure (hence the strength). Aside from the potential health concerns, this may lead to structural failure (decompression)
Figures 13 & 14 Missing/damaged protective treatments (Paint, primer, sealant, platings, etc) will all allow ingress of fluids/corrosive products to cause corrosion damage, hence weakening the structure
Figure 16 Pitting corrosion caused the failure of a landing gear bogie beam Figure 9 Corrosion through accumulation of dirt, debris and fluids in the bilge area Figure 15 Water ingress to a landing gear pin led to pitting corrosion, which attacked the chrome plating and blocked the lubrication, could lead to the seizure of the landing gear
Figure 10 Micro-biological growth in the fuel tanks may lead to bacterial build up in the boundary between the fuel and accumulated water in the tanks. The micro-biological growth could affect the structure and/or block fuel filters/pumps
21
6.1 Three Levels of Corrosion For the purposes of assessment, corrosion is classified into the following three levels:
q Level 1 Corrosion - Any cor-
rosion of primary structure that does not require structural reinforcement or replacement (minor surface corrosion requiring minor restauration and reapplication of protective treatments, etc) (fig. 19).
Figure 20 Level 2 Corrosion
6.2 Role of the operators The task of the operators is to ensure the aircraft remain at the optimum level of performance and safety by: q Inspecting the aircraft structure and systems in accordance with Airbus instructions q Ensuring the bilge drains are clear, the galleys and toilets are clean and leaktight, the cargo bays are free from spillage and the non textile flooring is in good condition q Maintaining the protective treatments q Applying temporary protection schemes (TPS), such as Dinitrol, as applicable q Reporting findings to Airworthiness Authorities and Airbus. 6.3 Role of Airbus The task of Airbus, as manufacturer, is to: q Lead continuous improvement qMonitor trends q Introduce corrective actions q Adjust the maintenance program accordingly.
sion of primary structure that requires a structural reinforcement or replacement and which is not considered as level 3 (fig. 20). any primary structure which may be determined to be an urgent fleet airworthiness concern (fig. 21).
7. Conclusion
Figure 21 Level 3 Corrosion
The regulations state that corrosion shall be controlled to level 1 or better and to ensure that corrosion does not exceed the limits of Level 1 between two successive inspections. If level 1 limits are exceeded there are several options:
q Decrease the inspection
Corrosion may become a safety issue, as illustrated by past in-service incidents. The Airbus Corrosion Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) has been established to prevents its propagation. Operators and Airbus have each specific responsibilities to ensure the CPCP is as effective as possible. The capacity of Airbus to meets its obligation is largely dependant upon an efficient reporting of findings by operators. REMEMBER
22
Safety
Articles Published in
Issue 14, July 2012
Thrust Reverser Selection Means Full-Stop Transient Loss of Communication due to Jammed Push-To-Talk A320 and A330/A340 Families A380: Development of the Flight Controls - Part 2 Preventing Fan Cowl Door Loss Do not forget that you are not alone in Maintenance
The Take Off Securing Function Computer Mixability: An Important Function Fuel Spills During Refueling Operations
23
Safety
Subscription Form
Safety
Subscription Form
To be sent back to AIRBUS FLIGHT SAFETY OFFICE Fax: 33 (0)5 61 93 44 29 Mail to: [email protected]
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Surname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Job title/Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Company/Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. Post/Zip Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cell phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Mandatory for both digital and paper copies)
P Please send me the paper copy* P (Please note that paper copies will only be forwarded
Please send me the digital copy* to professional addresses)
* Please tick the appropriate case