DON’T FORGET THE “GET OUT OF JAIL FREE” CARD!
A REMINDER ABOUT UNINTENTIONAL ERRORS AND THE NASA FORM. I recently experienced a personal incident as a pilot where I entered airspace that I had not yet received permission to enter. I had a radio issue in my aircraft. By the time I was able to contact the tower, I had already crossed into their airspace. Fortunately, the control tower didn’t hold me responsible — but I nonetheless filed a NASA form in case there was a violation issued to me after the fact. This reminded me that as an aircraft mechanic, it had
never occurred to me protect myself from FAA legal action from minor infringements that I discovered in the course of, or after a maintenance event. Not that I had any issues that I recall where I approved something for return to service that I shouldn’t have. But the nature of aircraft maintenance is such that it’s inevitable that something can be missed or done incorrectly and perhaps an aircraft is dispatched prior to catching the error or omission. Hopefully, if such an event occurs, the aircraft is called upon to return to make the necessary correction (be it AD compliance, incorrect paperwork, missing logbook entry, etc.). In the event something of this nature occurring, we
have a tool by which we can protect our certificate — so long as the action wasn’t grossly negligent, intentional or criminal. The system is called the Aviation Safety Reporting System, and utilizes a form called the NASA form. This system is available to all airmen and is encouraged because the data entered into the system is actually compiled in an effort to identify system deficiencies. In other words, you are helping the FAA identify what areas of improvement are needed. According to NASA (who administers the program):
Pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, mechanics, ground personnel and others involved in aviation operations submit reports to the ASRS when they are involved in, or observe, an incident or situation in which aviation safety may have been compromised. All submissions are voluntary. Reports sent to the ASRS are held in strict confidence. More than one million reports have been submitted to date and no reporter’s identity has ever been breached by the ASRS. ASRS
42
HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com December 2019 | January 2020
de-identifies reports before entering them into the incident database. All personal and organizational names are removed. Dates, times, and related information, which could be used to infer an identity, are either generalized or eliminated. The FAA offers ASRS reporters further guarantees and
incentives to report. It has committed itself not to use ASRS information against reporters in enforcement actions. It has also chosen to waive fines and penalties, subject to certain limitations, for unintentional violations of federal aviation statutes and regulations which are reported to ASRS. Keep the website
http://www.asrs.arc.nasa.gov
handy. Use it any time that you feel there may have been an unintentional violation. Who knows — it just may save your certificate/career. Thank you for supporting Helicopter Maintenance! As we close out our last issue of 2019, I want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors and readers of Helicopter Maintenance magazine. Our editors, contributing writers and staff work diligently to bring you the best information related to performing your job. This issue of Helicopter Maintenance makes eight years
of publishing for us. Amazingly, Helicopter Maintenance continues to be the only magazine dedicated to publishing information exclusively for helicopter maintenance professionals! We remain committed to publishing Helicopter Maintenance and only ask that you let our sponsors know that you appreciate their support of YOUR publication. Be sure to visit HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.
com regularly. All of our issues are available on there — going back to our very first issue! There is no limitation to who/where you can access the issues. International readers are encouraged to visit our website to read and interact with our latest issues. In addition,
HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com
keeps you current on the latest helicopter maintenance related news and information. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and look forward to your support throughout the upcoming year. Thanks for reading!
Publisher, Helicopter Maintenance magazine
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
