AIRCRAFT GROUND AIRCRAFT GROUND DAMAGE PREVENTIONDAMAGE PREVENTION

Best practices for preventing business Best practices for preventing business aircraft ground damage eventsaircraft ground damage events

• IntroductionIntroductionPurpose of program - reduce aircraft ground damage risk by providing Purpose of program - reduce aircraft ground damage risk by providing ““best best practicespractices”” interventions interventions

Focused audience - corporate flight and maintenance crewsFocused audience - corporate flight and maintenance crews

Intended use - training and awareness tool Intended use - training and awareness tool

Self-audit tool - gap analysis, how do we manage these risks? (tbd)Self-audit tool - gap analysis, how do we manage these risks? (tbd)

Incident analysis flow chart -tool to look at human factors issuesIncident analysis flow chart -tool to look at human factors issues

What this is not - a tool to manage FBOWhat this is not - a tool to manage FBO ’’s s

Size of the problem ? Many costs uninsured, estimated at over $100 Size of the problem ? Many costs uninsured, estimated at over $100 million/year in direct costsmillion/year in direct costs

AAM Consulting

Most significant risk Most significant risk factors for ground factors for ground damagesdamages

TowingTowing

Ramp Ramp MovementMovement

Ground Service Ground Service EquipmentEquipment

Hangar Hangar MovementsMovements

AAM Consulting

Most significant human Most significant human factors for ground factors for ground damagesdamages

Time FactorsTime Factors

Skill-based ErrorsSkill-based Errors

Customer SatisfactionCustomer Satisfaction

Direct Rule ViolationsDirect Rule Violations

Environment IssuesEnvironment Issues

Communication ErrorsCommunication Errors

Loss of Situational AwarenessLoss of Situational Awareness

AAM Consulting

Risk ExposuresRisk Exposures

AAM Consulting

Maintenance Related Maintenance Related ExposuresExposures

Mobile ladders/equip near Mobile ladders/equip near aircraft control surfacesaircraft control surfaces

Walk paths near aircraft Walk paths near aircraft storage positionsstorage positions

Use of non-rubber chocks Use of non-rubber chocks while in hangarswhile in hangars

Static wick protection warning Static wick protection warning devicesdevices

Complete a Job hazard Complete a Job hazard analysis for specific aircraft analysis for specific aircraft maintenance exposures maintenance exposures related to unique situationsrelated to unique situations AAM

Consulting

Maintenance Related Maintenance Related ExposuresExposures

Fire Protection - urea foam deluge Fire Protection - urea foam deluge systems should receive periodic systems should receive periodic inspectioninspection

Equipment that can move due to Equipment that can move due to vibration or jet blast should be vibration or jet blast should be chocked or securedchocked or secured

Aircraft log books should be Aircraft log books should be stored in a secure storage system stored in a secure storage system when not in usewhen not in use

Clothing - Belt buckles covered Clothing - Belt buckles covered and shoe protectors used if and shoe protectors used if required.required. AAM

Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement

• Use of at least 2 wing Use of at least 2 wing walkers while moving walkers while moving aircraft from or into aircraft from or into hangars along with tug hangars along with tug operatoroperator

• Team completes an area Team completes an area risk assessment before risk assessment before moving aircraftmoving aircraft

• Perimeter floor marking Perimeter floor marking that delineates limits of that delineates limits of aircraft placement near aircraft placement near hangar wallshangar walls

AAM Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement

• Hangar doors - securing methods Hangar doors - securing methods to prevent inadvertent closure due to prevent inadvertent closure due to jet blast or high windsto jet blast or high winds

• Aircraft wings should not overlap Aircraft wings should not overlap other aircraft due to settling other aircraft due to settling hazardhazard

• Hangar doors should be fully Hangar doors should be fully opened before aircraft movementopened before aircraft movement

• Aircraft should not be moved Aircraft should not be moved through propeller arcsthrough propeller arcs

AAM Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement

• Floor/ramp markings Floor/ramp markings delineate best aircraft delineate best aircraft positions for entry or positions for entry or exit from hangarsexit from hangars

• Suggested hangar Suggested hangar staking diagrams staking diagrams should be provided as should be provided as visual aidsvisual aids

• Overhead doors Overhead doors systems should have a systems should have a periodic inspection periodic inspection processprocess

AAM Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement• A Job hazard analysis should A Job hazard analysis should

be completed for aircraft be completed for aircraft movement exposures in movement exposures in hangar areas related to hangar areas related to unique situationsunique situations

• Written procedures for Written procedures for aircraft movement should be aircraft movement should be available in both the flight available in both the flight and maintenance operations and maintenance operations manualsmanuals

• Employees who move Employees who move aircraft receive should aircraft receive should receive training on company receive training on company procedures procedures

AAM Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement• A visual inspection of the A visual inspection of the

aircraft should be completed aircraft should be completed before any tow initiatesbefore any tow initiates

• The team should complete an The team should complete an area risk assessment briefing area risk assessment briefing before moving aircraft - all before moving aircraft - all sides of aircraft perimeter sides of aircraft perimeter visually inspected for hazardsvisually inspected for hazards

• Towing equipment - Towing equipment - tugs/Lektro tugs visually tugs/Lektro tugs visually inspected, brakes checked, inspected, brakes checked, correct tow bar verifiedcorrect tow bar verified

AAM Consulting

Aircraft MovementAircraft Movement• Towbars should be labeled as Towbars should be labeled as

to aircraft typeto aircraft type

• Tugs are marked as to rated Tugs are marked as to rated maximum loadsmaximum loads

• A post tow inspection should A post tow inspection should completed of aircraftcompleted of aircraft

• For aircraft pushes, the rear For aircraft pushes, the rear area must be inspected before area must be inspected before movementmovement

• A written job hazard analysis A written job hazard analysis should be completed for should be completed for aircraft towing exposuresaircraft towing exposures AAM

Consulting

Aircraft TowingAircraft Towing• Verification that Verification that

aircraft brakes are off aircraft brakes are off is completed before is completed before the tow or push is the tow or push is initiated initiated

• Employees who move Employees who move aircraft should receive aircraft should receive training on procedurestraining on procedures

• Aircraft are towed at a Aircraft are towed at a safe walking speedsafe walking speed

• Towing safety rules Towing safety rules marked on tugsmarked on tugs AAM

Consulting

Aircraft TowingAircraft Towing

• Large/heavy aircraft should Large/heavy aircraft should require a person acting as a require a person acting as a brake monitor during brake monitor during movement - in cockpitmovement - in cockpit

• If the tow operator loses If the tow operator loses sight of wing walker, an sight of wing walker, an immediate immediate STOP STOP should should occuroccur

• If there is any doubt as to If there is any doubt as to having adequate having adequate space/clearance,an space/clearance,an immediate immediate STOPSTOP should should occuroccur

AAM Consulting

Aircraft TowingAircraft Towing

• Aircraft should only be Aircraft should only be moved by approved moved by approved vehiclesvehicles

AAM Consulting

Aircraft Taxi To Ramp Aircraft Taxi To Ramp AreaArea

• Pilots should visually scan the Pilots should visually scan the ramp for risks while taxing in ramp for risks while taxing in

• Ground marshallerGround marshaller’’s should s should provide the correct hand provide the correct hand signals - if in doubt, stopsignals - if in doubt, stop

• While taxiing, the area should While taxiing, the area should continually be scanned for continually be scanned for threats such as: drain grates, threats such as: drain grates, narrow rows of positioned narrow rows of positioned aircraft, ramp slope, blind aircraft, ramp slope, blind spots, jet blast hazards, wind spots, jet blast hazards, wind direction, loose chocks,direction, loose chocks,vehicle movementsvehicle movements AAM

Consulting

Aircraft Taxi To Ramp Aircraft Taxi To Ramp AreaArea

• Pilots should communicate Pilots should communicate (radio) with unicom or for taxi (radio) with unicom or for taxi in assistance from FBO, etc.in assistance from FBO, etc.

• Pilots should observe any Pilots should observe any hazards related to ground hazards related to ground service equipment service equipment movements or positioning movements or positioning hazards - plan ahead for hazards - plan ahead for departure routesdeparture routes

AAM Consulting

Aircraft Taxi From Ramp Aircraft Taxi From Ramp AreaAreaFlight crew should Flight crew should complete a visual complete a visual inspection of the aircraft inspection of the aircraft prior to departureprior to departure

Pilots should ensure that Pilots should ensure that wing walkers are used in wing walkers are used in confined areas or areas confined areas or areas where marshalling person where marshalling person cannot see all positions of cannot see all positions of the aircraft.the aircraft.

Pilots should visually Pilots should visually survey the ramp area for survey the ramp area for risks during pre-start and risks during pre-start and taxitaxi

AAM Consulting

Aircraft ParkingAircraft Parking• Warning cones should be Warning cones should be

placed at wing tips and tailplaced at wing tips and tail

• Potential jet exhaust blast Potential jet exhaust blast hazards should be planned hazards should be planned forfor

• Aircraft should be positioned Aircraft should be positioned to avoid wing overlap to avoid wing overlap hazardshazards

• Triple chocks should be Triple chocks should be placed at mains and nose placed at mains and nose gear for overnight parkinggear for overnight parking AAM

Consulting

Aircraft ParkingAircraft Parking

• The main gear should be The main gear should be chocked at all ramp chocked at all ramp parking situationsparking situations

• A ground marshaller A ground marshaller should be used to aid for should be used to aid for taxi in and departure taxi in and departure from parking spotsfrom parking spots

• Ground air stair mats Ground air stair mats should be removed should be removed before engine startbefore engine start AAM

Consulting

Ground Service Ground Service EquipmentEquipment

• Fuel Trucks should be chocked Fuel Trucks should be chocked when servicing aircraftwhen servicing aircraft

• All mobile equipment should be All mobile equipment should be positioned to not face aircraftpositioned to not face aircraft

• Ground power units should not Ground power units should not be positioned under tail sections be positioned under tail sections and must be chockedand must be chocked

• Special precautions should be Special precautions should be followed to insure the removal of followed to insure the removal of GPU plugs before the unit is GPU plugs before the unit is movedmoved

• Tugs and other types of GSE such Tugs and other types of GSE such as golf carts should be shut-off, as golf carts should be shut-off, parking brakes set, and chocked parking brakes set, and chocked when left unattendedwhen left unattended

AAM Consulting

Towing CommunicationsTowing Communications• Will you be towing our aircraft today?Will you be towing our aircraft today?

• Yes - Inform ground crew: Yes - Inform ground crew: ““Be advised the brakes are off and Be advised the brakes are off and here is a copy of our companyhere is a copy of our company ’’s preferred for towing and s preferred for towing and securing our aircraft.securing our aircraft.””

• No - Present the companyNo - Present the company ’’s written suggested procedures for s written suggested procedures for ground chocking and protection - cones, etcground chocking and protection - cones, etc

• ““Are you familiar with this type of aircraft?Are you familiar with this type of aircraft?””

• Yes - Assist as a spotterYes - Assist as a spotter

• No - Ask that A/C remain where it isNo - Ask that A/C remain where it is

• ““Do you have room for our A/C in your hangar?Do you have room for our A/C in your hangar?””

• Yes - Present the companyYes - Present the company ’’s written suggested procedures for s written suggested procedures for hangar movements - chocks, walkers, speed, etc.hangar movements - chocks, walkers, speed, etc.AAM

Consulting

Towing CommunicationsTowing Communications

• ““Have you been trained to tow this type of aircraft?Have you been trained to tow this type of aircraft?””

• No - Ask that A/C remain where it isNo - Ask that A/C remain where it is

• ““Will the aircraft be towed at times when the flight crew is not Will the aircraft be towed at times when the flight crew is not available?available?””

• Yes - Ask that wing walkers be present at that the perimeter Yes - Ask that wing walkers be present at that the perimeter of the aircraft be cleared before movement. Suggest the use of the aircraft be cleared before movement. Suggest the use of a brake monitor on heavy aircraft.of a brake monitor on heavy aircraft.

AAM Consulting

Fueling CommunicationsFueling Communications

• ““Are you familiar with the fueling procedures for this type of Are you familiar with the fueling procedures for this type of aircraft?aircraft?””

• No - Present the companyNo - Present the company’’s written suggested procedures s written suggested procedures that outline fueling methodsthat outline fueling methods

• Yes - If time permits, assign a pilot to observe fuelingYes - If time permits, assign a pilot to observe fueling

• As much as practical, fueling should only be conducted As much as practical, fueling should only be conducted when a flight crew member or employee of the aircraftwhen a flight crew member or employee of the aircraft’’s s owner is presentowner is present

AAM Consulting

What can happen?What can happen?

• No Chocks on a No Chocks on a sloping ramp...sloping ramp...

AAM Consulting

What can happen?What can happen?

• Unauthorized Unauthorized vehicles operations vehicles operations on the ramp...on the ramp...

AAM Consulting

Ground Damage Ground Damage Incident Review Incident Review

ProcessProcess For Each For Each

At-Risk BehaviorAt-Risk Behavior

Did Condition Did Condition Result from a Result from a

Behavior?Behavior?

Unforced BehaviorUnforced Behavior Was the Behavior Simply an Error Was the Behavior Simply an Error

by theby the Individual?Individual?

Forced BehaviorForced Behavior Was the Behavior Out of Control of Was the Behavior Out of Control of

the individual?the individual?

Explore Explore ““HardHard”” System Issues System Issues•Workstation DesignWorkstation Design

•Tool/Equipment DesignTool/Equipment Design•Tool/Equipment AvailabilityTool/Equipment Availability

Influenced BehaviorInfluenced Behavior Was there a Risk/Reward Influence Was there a Risk/Reward Influence

on the Behavior?on the Behavior?

Conduct an Analysis to Determine Conduct an Analysis to Determine What Drives theWhat Drives the At-Risk BehaviorAt-Risk Behavior

•Redesign WorkstationRedesign Workstation•Redesign Tool/EquipmentRedesign Tool/Equipment

•Purchase Necessary Purchase Necessary Tool/EquipmentTool/Equipment

IncidentIncident

Explore Explore ““SoftSoft”” System Issues System Issues•ProceduresProcedures

•TrainingTraining•Human FactorsHuman Factors

Identify and Implement Identify and Implement Antecedents and Consequences Antecedents and Consequences

that Support Desired Behaviors and that Support Desired Behaviors and Reduce At-Risk BehaviorsReduce At-Risk Behaviors

YesYes NoNo

YesYes YesYes YesYes

NoNo NoNo

Make Improvements to:Make Improvements to:•ProceduresProcedures

•TrainingTraining•Human FactorsHuman Factors

For Each UnSafe For Each UnSafe ConditionCondition

Self-Audit Gap Analysis...Self-Audit Gap Analysis...• We have written SOPWe have written SOP’’s in place? Y s in place? Y

NN

• Employees trained on procedures Y Employees trained on procedures Y NN

• Employees provided risk awareness training Y Employees provided risk awareness training Y N N

• Incident investigations conducted Y Incident investigations conducted Y NN

• We have completed a risk assessment Y We have completed a risk assessment Y NN

• Compliance evaluations completed Y Compliance evaluations completed Y NN

AAM Consulting

Self-Audit Gap Analysis...Self-Audit Gap Analysis...

• We have the correct ground equipment Y We have the correct ground equipment Y N N

• We monitor FBO actions Y We monitor FBO actions Y NN

• We have an accountability system in place Y We have an accountability system in place Y N N

• Access to ramp areas is controlled Y Access to ramp areas is controlled Y NN

• Crews have ground damage awareness training Y Crews have ground damage awareness training Y N N

AAM Consulting

Thank you...Thank you...

AAM Consulting