Peer Review: Final Case Study

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract

Airline ground operations are a critical part of the aviation industry. Errors in ground operations create mishaps that can bear a hefty cost to the airline. Airlines are tasked with ensuring that there are proper procedures in place to mitigate the occurrence of damage to aircraft from ground operations. Ground handling risk management requires extensive analysis in determining the risks to aircraft and personnel and identifying methods of mitigating such risks. Effective risk management plans can save billions of dollars in repairs as well as costly aircraft down time and injury to personnel.

Keywords: Risk management, standard procedure, training, workload.

Final Case Study: Airline Ground Operations

Commercial aviation depends on ground handling to receive and process incoming and outgoing aircraft. Airlines are tasked with ensuring that ground operations are not only efficient but most importantly are completed safely. Safe aircraft handling ensures that the aircraft avoids damage and there is no injury to personnel. Airlines worldwide spend approximately US$4 billion to effect repairs from ground handling damages (Balk, 2007). Such expenses can hurt an airline and cause economic ripples as well as increased safety risks.

Ground handling mishaps are costly errors that can be mitigated with enhanced safety measures and adherence to standard operating procedures. Airlines are responsible for ensuring that the occurrence of ground handling mishaps is mitigated. The greatest occurrence of incidents occurs while the aircraft is stationary. It was reported that 84 % of ground incidents with aircraft damage is caused while the aircraft is stationary (Balk, 2007). Incidents include damage during loading and unloading of baggage, jet bridge damage, inadvertent fuel spill, and damage during pushback.

The task of loading and unloading baggage may seem simple but due to baggage differences in size, weight and any other special circumstances can be quite complex. Loading baggage into the aircraft requires that bags are weighed and sorted to ensure weight distribution. Baggage can cause internal damage to the aircraft if not properly loaded into the specific bin as well as when unloading it. Improper handling can damage the internal structure of the aircraft and leave the bin unusable as well as further compromise the aircraft’s structural integrity. Damage to aircraft interior may originate from pallets, cargo or baggage shift, and/or rough handling of cargo or baggage. Crew should be aware of proper baggage handling techniques and assure that they are adhering to them to prevent any such occurrence. Training on proper technique should be conducted regularly to verify that crewmembers are current on procedures.

The loading and unloading of baggage can also cause external damage to the aircraft which can render it unable to fly. Poorly positioned carts or loading belts are the general cause of external damage. Baggage carts and loading belts can strike the aircraft and cause damage to the doors or fuselage. Carts and loading belts can strike the exterior and leave significant damage. Additionally, cargo doors may be unintentionally opened without enough clearance and strike the baggage cart, belt, or ground and cause serious damage to the aircraft door.

External damage can range from minor to grave. Minor damage may include damage to fuselage skin to grave damage such as wings may be damaged. Furthermore, such serious damage can ground an aircraft for an extended period and cause serious injury to personnel. Crewmembers should receive initial and semi-annual recertification training for baggage cart and loading belt procedures and operations. Internal and external damage resulting from baggage operations can be costly and risk management for such should be evaluated on a minimum semi-annual basis.

Once an aircraft is on the ground the jet bridge is attached to provide access to the cabin for deplaning/boarding as well as for aircraft servicing. The jet bridge must be properly attached prior to opening the aircraft door. Jet bridges are generally equipped with an auto leveler that must be activated to ensure the jet bridge adjusts as the aircraft settles. The aircraft will undergo settling due to passenger loading/unloading, baggage loading/unloading, and fueling. Failure to properly attach the jet bridge and set the auto leveler can cause damage to the aircraft doors, fuselage, and/or ground equipment.

Aircraft doors maybe damaged when the proper clearance is not maintained which would put the aircraft out of service. The aircraft may also settle onto ground equipment underneath which can cause damage to the fuselage and wheels. It is critical to ensure that personnel are aware of the possible damage that may be incurred and that each jet bridge driver is current on standard operating procedures. Annual or semi-annual recurrent training should be conducted to confirm adherence to procedures as well as to notify of any updates. Semi-annual review of jet bridge system should be conducted to mitigate any safety issues that may be present as well as analyze for efficiency and effectiveness.

Aircraft fueling can be hazardous if not completed correctly. Inadvertent fuel spill can occur due to overfilling or improper attachment can lead to a lengthy clean up. Incorrect fueling techniques can also cause external damage to the aircraft. Crew assigned should be trained in proper fueling procedures and should be aware of the amount of fuel required. Training should be conducted on initial and annual recurrent to ensure compliance.

Damage to the aircraft can occur during towing. Since the aircraft does not always operate under its own power pushback is necessary but there are many risks associated. According to Balk (2007), 7% of aircraft damage occurs during pushback due to incorrect maneuvering of the pushback vehicle. Damage has also occurred when the tow bar on the pushback vehicle breaks during movement or an aircraft is moved while still attached to a service truck. The cause of these occurrences can be miscommunication, poor ability to maneuver, or lack of situational awareness. Initial training and certification are required to operate a pushback vehicle and should be revaluated on a semi-annual basis. Recurrent training should be done on a semi-annual to annual basis as well. Additionally, weather related training should be conducted to ensure that operators understand how weather can affect the maneuverability of the aircraft with a pushback vehicle.

Ground handling system safety requires a broad analysis of risk factors to both aircraft and personnel. Hazards and risk factors must be identified in order to develop a plan for risk management. Effective risk management can alleviate the financial burden of repairs and prevent injury to personnel. Policies and procedures should be evaluated on a minimum annual basis for effectiveness as well as to implement any updates. Crew should be trained to ensure the safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers. Methods for monitoring operations and adherence to procedures should be established to ensure compliance.

References Balk, A.D. (2007). Safety of Ground Handling. National Aerospace Laboratory NLR-CR-2007-961. Retrieved from https://www.iata.org Ericson, C. A., II. (2015). Hazard analysis techniques for system safety (Second ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com Vincoli, J. W. (2006). Basic guide to system safety (Second ed.). Hoboken, N.J: Wiley-Interscience. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Airline Ground Operations

System: Airline Ground Operations	Preliminary Hazard Analysis	Analyst: Rodriguez, S Date: May 10, 2019
No.	Hazard	Causes	Effects	Mode	IMRI	Recommended Action	FMRI	Comments	Status
PHA-1	Damage during loading/ unloading Internal	Poor baggage handling	Unable to utilize bin for bag storage	Operation	2A	Ensure that personnel are completing job correctly	4E		Open
PHA-2	Damage during loading/ unloading External	Incorrect placement of baggage cart and/or belt	Aircraft may not be able to continue operating	Operation	1C	Review proper cart/ belt placement procedures.	4D		Open
PHA-3	Jet bridge damage	Human Error	Unable to attach jet bridge and access door	Operation	2B	Ensure personnel are trained for jet bridge driving	4D		Open
PHA-4	Inadvertent fuel spill	Incorrect fueling practice or over fueling	Fuel spill requires lengthy clean-up/ fire hazard	Operation	1C	Ensure correct fueling procedures and amount	3D		Open
PHA-5	Damage during pushback	Incorrect use of aircraft parking brake or tow bar failure	Damage to aircraft can be grave/ unable to fly	Operation	1B	Inspect pushback vehicle prior to use and ensure aircraft parking brake is correctly set	4D		Open

Figure 1. Preliminary Hazard Analysis of Airline Ground Operations

Figure 2. Fault Tree Analysis of Jet Bridge Damage

No.	Hazardous Condition	Cause	Hazard Effects	Comments
PHL-1	Structural	Damage due to improper placement tow bar	Damage to fuselage, Aircraft out of service	Ensure tow bar is correctly positioned
PHL-2	Supervision	Lack of situational awareness, miscommunication	Damage to aircraft	Ensure proper clearance to ground/service vehicles and equipment
PHL-3	Weather	Hazardous conditions due to rain, snow	Damage to aircraft	Ensure pushback vehicle can be properly maneuvered during hazardous weather conditions

Figure 3. Preliminary Hazard List for Pushback vehicle