Ground Operation for Safety

We highlighted over 50 ground incidents this year for the ATR fleet. The presentation focuses on recommendatons and simple steps required to maximise safety on the ground

On Ground - Ground operations for safety
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Q&A:

  • Why ATR doesn’t publish anything about the walk around with the hotel mode?

    From a ground view there is a lot of concerns around hotel mode. The use of which is different by every operator. I believe this is an area for improvement.

    The walkaround ground path is in progress via APQ 4235 to update the FCOM

  • How do we share the safety practice with all the different suppliers?

    We recommend customers refer to https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/4159.pdf. This provides an excellent summary of the SMS project with the majority of ground support suppliers at Luton International airport

  • How can we train suppliers that are not under our responsibility ?

    Operators can audit their supplier to verify their training. If necessary, reinforce with them the adequate training to match with your training.

  • Has ATR observed a significant increased in the number of ground related incidents i.e. ground equipment collision to aircraft? FOD ingestions? 

    With increased aircraft utilization we see a continuous increase in ground related incidents of varying criticality. In 2023 we were reported 50+ events therefore we must assume the total number is higher. Fortunately, in 2023 no serious injuries were reported to ATR. However, we want to collectively reduce this trend.

  • You mentioned of the 6 minutes video. Is it possible to have another video with all of the ground support cars and emphasis on the threats of the cars? 

    ATR does not intend to produce this video in the near future.

  • 50 events in 2023! How many events did you have in 2021 and 2023? Is the trend positive or negative?

    We compared 2023 with 2019. The COVID situation through 2020-2022 has slightly perturbed the numbers.

  • If Ground Handling Service providers can not  use a system with actual baggage weights for loading the aircraft, what would ATR recommend?

    The operator needs to discuss this point with the ground handling service. The accurate baggage weight must be calculated and provided to your ground staff. We highlight that the LTS should match the baggage allocation in the aircraft. Please refer to the Load & Balance e-brochure.

  • The 2 days ground handling course is for ground handling staff?

    Yes, the 2 days ground handling course is for ATR ground handling staff.

  • Does the poster exist in paper copy for us?

    Yes, it can be ordered via the ATR Training Center (ATC) or via your dedicated Customer Support Director.

  • In high temperature environment, how do you suggest the use of external AC unit, hotel mode operation combined with all rest ground activities (i.e loading)?

    We would anticipate an operator selecting either hotel mode or a ground cart. The key message from the presentation is the walkaround is one of the safety barriers, hence ATR recommends your procedures are adapted to your specific operation.

  • Is it possible for ATR to share significant incidents to all operators in the form of a newsletter?

    Yes, one of the safety actions taken for 2024 is to give access for our operators to the final report published by the investigation board. It will be via the safety website.

  • Can you publish the Walk-around video as a file that can be downloaded?

    Please contact ATR safety to obtain the file.

  • Have ATR operators reported issues related to external heaters and pressurization build up leading to explosive opening of main (or service) door when opened?

    Two events were shared by a customer of personnel being injured when opening from inside a door of an ATR72-200. This was due to overpressure of a/c on ground following a heater being installed and not opening doors or hatches. In addition to guidance already available in the aircraft maintenance procedure related to preconditioning of the aircraft with a ground air conditioning source (MP ATR-A-12-33-21-00001-120A-A), in the Ground Handling Manual (4.5.2 ground air conditioning unit) and Cabin Crew Operating Manual (7.3.4 Cabin pressure not equalized on the ground) to prevent this situation, ATR issued a design modification in order to install a placard next to the ground cart connecting service door (192KR or 192FR) to remind the requirement to keep a door or a hatch open when ground cart is connected. This modification is available through SB ATR42-11-0030 or ATR72-11-1027.

  • There are some e brochure’s published by ATR, is it possible to get them in PDF format? If available can be shared with all the pilots.

    The e-brochures are interactive and are available in ATRactive. Upon request, the ATR Flight Operations Support team can prepare a standalone html package to be used on local computers and tablets not connected to ATRactive. The e-brochure are not in PDF format.

On Ground - Ground operations for safety.pdf

2.92 MB
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