Serious Incident SE-LPS
SE-LPS.
Safety Recommendation: 2022-014
2022-014: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority review the use of magnetic tape flight data recorders used in aircraft operated by UK Air Operator Certificate holders and establish if there is a practical way to comply with the ICAO requirement to cease their use.
The CAA Flight Operations Policy Team has reviewed this recommendation and reaffirms its previous position. Since the previous response, a further review of UK Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 has been completed, including consideration of Schedule 13 (Penalties) to the Air Navigation Order 2016, to determine whether amendments to CAT.IDE.A.190 and CAT.IDE.H.190 could be progressed within the retained regulatory framework.
The review confirmed that the proposed amendments would not be affected by the restrictions associated with regulations listed in Schedule 13. The CAA therefore continues to support the introduction of the requirement:
"By 1 January 2028 at the latest, the FDR shall record on means other than magnetic tape or magnetic wire."
This additional requirement has now been incorporated into CAT.IDE.A.190 and CAT.IDE.H.190 through Rule Making Task (RMT) 0158-002A.
The CAA's position remains substantively unchanged from that set out in its previous response. Whilst the Rule Making Task was originally scheduled for inclusion in the May 2027 Statutory Instrument, delivery timescales may be affected by forthcoming regulatory reform activity. However, the RMT remains on track and any changes to the implementation timetable will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.
Open
September 2027
Safety Recommendation: 2022-015
2022-015: It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority require that magnetic tape flight data recorders, used in aircraft operated by UK Air Operator Certificate holders, comply with the Civil Aviation Authority Specification No. 10, regarding the error rate requirements, by checking the complete recording rather than by undertaking a sample check.
The CAA have reviewed CAP 731 which details the UK requirements for maintenance of Flight data recorders.
A review and amendment of this publication has now taken place with the amendment of the CAP now complete. This amended version of CAP 731 has now been sent for publication.
This amended version captures the updated maintenance requirements within Chapter 7, (FDR System Serviceability and readout) within the chapter “Establishing the Limitations of
the readout”.
Chapter 8, General requirements for a readout, retains the requirements of Specification No. 10 or ED-55 / ED-112 as applicable to be included in the procedures for staff training.
Adequate - Closed
Closed