Our Airworthiness Safety Review Panel (SRP) Updates
Safety is the top priority in the CAA. We believe in transparency and continuous improvement to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety. As part of our commitment, we regularly conduct Safety Performance Indicators (SPI) reviews during the Airworthiness Safety Review Panel (SRP) meetings.
Why We're Sharing Action Level Items
The action level items from our SPI reviews are critical insights that help us identify areas for improvement and implement effective safety measures. By sharing these items, we aim to:
- Enhance Transparency: Provide clear and accessible information about our safety practices and ongoing efforts.
- Promote Accountability: Demonstrate our dedication to maintaining and improving safety standards.
- Encourage Collaboration: Foster a culture of open communication and teamwork within the aviation community.
Action level items from our SPI reviews:
Damage to aircraft due to contact with ground equipment (March 25)
The UK CAA reviews Mandatory Occurrence Reports submitted in accordance with UK Regulation 376/2016 against Safety Performance Indicator’s (SPI) to determine when and what action is required. A recent review against ATA 5300 identified an increase in damage to aircraft’s fuselage structure for fixed wing aircraft.
This SPI includes reports of instances of damage found to aircraft:
- during pre-flight/post-flight walk-arounds,
- damage from birds or lightning,
- and damage due to contact with ground equipment.
In this instance, an associated ‘Action Level’ was exceeded, with a continuing trend. The increase in this quarterly rate was influenced by damage to fuselage structure due to contact with ground equipment.
In order to reduce the risk of damage to an aircraft structure due to contact with ground equipment, the UK CAA recommend organisations take the following action:
- Confirmation that ‘damage due to contact with ground equipment’ is a risk identified within the organisations Hazard and Risk management system.
- Organisations operating around aircraft with ground equipment should take necessary steps to raise awareness of this increasing trend with their employees to help reduce this issue.
- Organisations operating around aircraft with ground equipment have:
- Robust initial and re-current training programs that identify steps to mitigate damage due to contact with ground equipment.
- Regular inspections of ramp equipment to ensure ‘safety bump stops’ are serviceable.
Organisations that already include this risk within their risk management process are recommended to review their adopted safety mitigations for effectiveness.