2009 SMS Pilot Project (SMSPP) Analysis - FAA

Figure 3-4 shows the levels of the criticality of products produced by PAHs and their effects on
safety. If the FAA proceeds in a direction where scaling is necessary, these categories could be
considered when deciding how to allocate resources.
Figure 3-4: Criticality of Products Produced by Production Approval Holders
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
A product or part(s)
A product or part(s)
A product or part(s)
thereof whose failure
thereof, whose failure
thereof whose failure
would not prevent
COULD, IF OTHER
would not prevent
continued safe flight
CONDITIONS
continued safe flight
and landing; resulting
EXISTED, prevent
and landing; resulting
consequences
continued safe flight
consequences
COULD reduce the
and landing; resulting
WOULD reduce the
capability of the
consequences could
capability of the
aircraft or the ability
reduce safety margins,
aircraft or the ability
of the crew to cope
degrade performance,
of the crew to cope
with adverse operating
or cause loss of
with adverse operating
conditions or
capability to conduct
conditions or
subsequent failures.
certain flight
subsequent failures.
A product or part(s)
thereof whose failure
would have LITTLE
TO NO effect on
continued safe flight
and landing of the
aircraft.
A product or part(s)
thereof whose failure
COULD DIRECTLY
prevent continued safe
flight and landing;
resulting
consequences could
reduce safety margins,
degrade performance,
or cause loss of
capability to conduct
certain flight
operations.
operations.
CPL CAT III CPL CAT II CPL CAT I
Figure 3-5 shows the number and percentage of PAHs in 2011 that were producing the various
levels of products depicted in Figure 3-5. Only 15% of PAHs produce critical (level 5) products
versus 62% producing non-critical (level 1) products. This data provides a quantitative
perspective that needs to be further examined regarding the potential safety benefits should the
FAA proceed with rulemaking using a very broad approach (consideration 3).
Figure 3-5: Number of PAHs by Production Approval Type 2011
RBRT Criticality UC
Level 5, 275, 15%
Level 4 , 53, 3%
Level 3, 335, 18%
Level 2, 42, 2%
Level 1, 1121,
62%
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
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