Interim Report - Introduction - EASA

INTERIM REPORT – OPTIONS FOR CHANGE – ATTACHMENT A
EASA.2009.OP.21
through windows. Also such a check impacts on flight safety by having a flight-crew member
absent from the flight-deck at a critical time immediately prior to line-up and take-off.
Knowledge: Inadequate pilot knowledge also played a significant role in many reports, for
example:
− Some pilots were using the “clean-wings” of other aircraft as confirmation of their own
clean surfaces
− in 12 reports, pilots viewed the snow/ice on their aircraft surfaces as inconsequential,
or that it will blow off during taxi or takeoff.
CRM: This study also highlighted that Crew Resource Management (CRM) can have a
valuable application for ground icing situations. In ASRS reports where ground icing
problems were identified after the aircraft had left the ramp, it was usually the cabin crew
who notified the flight crew of the problem.
Recommendations and Possible Solutions: Management must resolve to help flight crews
and de-icing crews by providing them with suitable tools for them to perform their functions
properly. These tools are in the form of hardware, such as equipment and supplies, and also
such things as well thought-out policies and procedures. Also, a healthy, well-advertised, and
consistently practiced corporate philosophy of total commitment to safety is absolutely and
positively essential.
A sound corporate safety philosophy, reinforced by clearly written policies, procedures, and
management attitudes, can help relieve a crewmember's self-imposed (or management
imposed) schedule pressure. It is human nature for many people to hurry their tasks in order
to "get the job done," so it is imperative that management establish a corporate culture that
encourages crews to set safety as their top priority.
An additional post-de-icing/anti-icing check can be accomplished by someone other than the
de-icing crew. This quality control measure is similar to maintenance practices, where one
mechanic performs the work, but final inspection of that work is accomplished by another
person.
To increase the likelihood that problems are caught before takeoff, consideration could be
given to training cabin crewmembers to recognize wing ice formation. Furthermore, all
crewmembers could be taught and encouraged to clearly voice their concerns. (NB: this
recommendation has since been implemented through EU OPS).
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