Flight Recorders: Beyond ICAO Annex 13

Monday, August 21, 2017 - Morning Session   (8 :30– 12:30)

This Tutorial will explore the many differences and similarities between flight data and voice recorder practices and policies around the world using actual accident investigation examples where practical. Actual and hypothetical scenarios will be presented along with the pros and cons of various practices. The tutorial will explore beyond the current ICAO Annex 13 SARPS which are somewhat high level allowing States significant latitude with respect to interpretation. The old adage ‘the devil is in the details’ will be the basis for exploring beyond the words with the objective of stimulating healthy debate within the audience. Exploring actual and theoretical cases in detail may also reshape higher level perspectives currently articulated by ICAO and in many States local policies. With video advances in cell phones and go-pros, video (image) recording has never been more prevalent throughout the world in virtually every facet of life, yet despite recommendations from respected authorities close to 20 years ago, aviation, which is arguably one of the most regulated and safety conscious industries on the planet, still is without image recordings. The use of recordings for safety purposes other than by the authorities has arguably been increasingly prohibited rather than increasingly exploited based on long standing concerns that without these protections safety would in fact be compromised. The tutorial will attempt to explore these dilemmas that continue to challenge investigators in a rapidly evolving world that has access to information like never before. Please join us for what we hope to be an engaging and perhaps controversial discussion through audience participation in response to scenarios and ideas that will be presented.

Agenda Items

1. Foundation: Technical overview of flight and voice data
2. Flight Data Use Case Examples and Scenarios
3. ICAO SARPS and international regulations related to Flight Data
4. States policy/protocols for flight data
5. Voice Use Case Examples and Scenarios
6. ICAO SARPS and international regulations related to Flight Data
7. States policy/protocols for voice data
8. Use of and need for Image Recording Summary
9. Live anonymous survey

Presented by:
Mike Poole, ISASI FRWG Chair
Frank Hilldrup, Chief Technical Advisor, International Aviation, NTSB

Survival Factors Tutorial

Monday, August 21, 2017 - Afternoon Session   (1:00 – 5:30)

The findings from past accident investigations have led to significant improvements in the fields of cabin safety and aircraft manufacturing, such as: 16G seats, lavatory smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, floor proximity emergency escape path markings, new requirements for cabin and insulation materials and inclusion of human performance training for cabin crew members. These improvements have increased the survivability of occupants involved in latter accidents and helped reduce fatalities among passengers and crew. Cabin safety aspects, including survival factors, should be addressed as part of the investigation process. However, these aspects are often overlooked. Therefore, States and industry may be missing out on the possibility for further safety enhancements

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) published the Manual on the Investigation of Cabin Safety Aspects in Accidents and Incidents (Doc 10062), in 2016, to encourage the uniform application of the Standards and Recommended Practices contained in Annex 13 — Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, particularly in relation to survival aspects. This manual provides information and guidance to States on the procedures, practices and techniques that may be used when investigating cabin safety aspects of an occurrence.

The survival factors tutorial is intended to develop competencies for persons involved in investigating cabin safety aspects of occurrences, including survival factors in accident investigations. It also provides general knowledge on ICAO provisions relevant to cabin safety and security contained in the ICAO Annexes along with an overview cabin operations, crew training, and cabin crew human performance issues which may be relevant to investigations. The tutorial gives participants in insight look at practical cases which involved survival factors, through investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Facilitators:
Jason Fedok, NTSB
Martin Maurino, ICAO