FEBRUARY 2013 GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL
stated. “The company did not have, and was not required to have, guidance or a policy addressing fatigue management.” The snowplough operator told investigators that he had fallen asleep while driving behind a B737, which was being prepared for pushback from the gate. “The snowplough passed the airplane and then initiated a gradual turn to the right,” the report went on to say. “The snowplough continued around 180º and hit the airplane on the left side, near the empennage.”
The impact buckled the auxiliary power unit access door, pierced three 4 inch (10 centimetre) holes in the fuselage skin and broke a stringer. The snowplough cabin was also damaged, but the operator was not hurt by the collision. The report added that the snow
removal company’s “lack of a policy regarding employee fatigue” was a factor in the accident. The company told investigators that its snowplough operators typically worked 12 to 14 hour shifts and that (qv) “the responsibility for
fatigue and fatigue management comes down to personal responsibility.”
The importance of maintenance
In the following episode, a number of cabin cleaners were using the airbridge service steps (that are attached to the airbridge) when the steps collapsed, without warning. Four of the cabin cleaners fell to the ground and were injured, and one of the cleaners suffered serious head injuries and had to be rushed to hospital for further emergency medical treatment. The root cause has yet to be determined and the airport investigation was ongoing at the time of writing. However, the failure of the securing bolts, which attach the stairs to the airbridge, was being looked at as a possible cause of the incident.
Have you some safety news or a safety episode that you’d like to share with readers? Write in the first instance to the Editor:
alwyn@groundhandling.com
Footnote: Morten started his flying career as a glider pilot, joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force and flew the F-16. He has for the past 17 years flown commercial aircraft for Scandinavian Airlines, and is currently on the Airbus A-340. He also lectures at conferences and runs his own business, ScandiAvia. In addition to flying he has specialised in Safety Management, Risk Management, Human Factors and Accident Investigation. To date, Morten has investigated ten accidents, three as Chairman, and numerous incidents.
RAMP SAFETY BRIEFING 61
We Lead the Industry in Innovation
ORION Deicer 900 gallons
47 Foot working height 10 minute heat time
Training Simulator - Deicing New!
GRV Glycol Recovery Vehicle 750, 1000, 1300, 2100 gallon options
New!
2200 XR 56 Foot
working height no stabilizers
New!
GlobalAdOct2011Euro.indd 1
540 East 56 Highway Olathe, KS 66061-4640 USA (913) 780-0300
www.globalgroundsupport.com
Certified
ISO 9001:2008- certified quality management system
Learn about the latest from Global Ground Support, and how these new products save you time and money.
Our Deicing Training Simulator covers 11 different aircraft and a variety of weather conditions. It grades students’ performance, even letting them compete against each other for high score. Free upgrades.
10/7/11 8:54 AM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68