The FAA has released a Safety Alert for Operators aimed at making ground operations safer. [Credit: Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators to prevent injuries to ground personnel, prompted by recent severe incidents including a wing walker being run over and a ramp agent fatally sucked into an operating engine.
The alert emphasizes the role of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for airlines in identifying and mitigating hazards, with the FAA proposing to mandate SMS for more operators and manufacturers.
Specific safety recommendations include mandatory use of chocks during aircraft towing, ensuring personnel remain clear of moving aircraft until fully stopped, and staying clear of operating engines until they are shut down.
The FAA is taking a closer look at preventing injuries to ground personnel at airports, releasing a Safety Alert for Operators aimed at making ground operations safer.
According to the FAA, the safety alert was prompted by recent injuries and fatalities that occurred during aircraft towing or ground handling operations.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
