Expediting Aircraft Recovery at Airports (2012)

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48 chapter seven ConClusions Although an airport may never experience a disabled aircraft event, the future is impossible to predict. As a result, it is in every airport’s best interest to prepare for such an event. Although airports are generally prepared for an aircraft acci- dent [as spelled out in the airport’s Airport Emergency Plan (AEP)], the need to recover a disabled aircraft is generally given less thought. Aircraft recovery is the responsibility of the aircraft owner/operator. However, airports have much at stake when an aircraft becomes disabled. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead to prepare for such an event. Without preparation, the airport could experience significant negative impacts from disabled aircraft, including delays to aircraft using the runway and possible liability exposure if the airport is responsible for causing secondary damage to the aircraft. To summarize lessons learned from literature and case studies conducted during this synthesis research, airports endeavoring to better prepare for the recovery of disabled aircraft may wish to consider the following elements: • The airport operator knowing the aircraft owner/operator recovery plans. • That a disabled aircraft event can occur at any airport and expect that a disabled aircraft event will occur and thus planning appropriately. For everyone on the airport’s staff, understanding the benefits of develop- ing an aircraft recovery plan and staff familiarity with the airport operator’s plan to handle disabled aircraft. Clearly defining roles during a disabled aircraft event, including the airport operator, aircraft rescue firefight- ing, NTSB/Flight Standards District Office, and aircraft owner/operator. With a leader in each of these groups, developing a flowchart clearly defining when control of the aircraft is being handed over to the next leader may be beneficial. • The key role of communication during the recovery process. • Familiarity with the regulatory and nonregulatory guid- ance on the recovery of disabled aircraft (chapter two) • For the airport operator, using good judgment to weigh expeditious recovery of the aircraft versus the liability associated with causing secondary damage to the aircraft. • Familiarity with possible complications that may arise during the aircraft recovery process (chapter four) and developing an Aircraft Recovery Preparedness Airport Checklist (chapter five) • Transporting passengers and crew from the disabled aircraft, and also of recovery personnel, aircraft owner/ operator representatives, insurance adjustor, and inves- tigative personnel, to the disabled aircraft site. Consid- ering, as part of an airport’s disabled aircraft recovery plan, how to handle a large number of passengers that need to be transported from the disabled aircraft to a staging/sterile area (i.e., blankets and other accesso- ries to comfort passengers, as well as agreements with transportation companies to supply buses, etc.). • Paying attention to smaller aircraft operators. One approach might be to require all operators to have a recovery plan on file before being permitted to oper- ate on airport. A small regional jet can result in a run- way closure just as easily as a large transport category aircraft. • Knowing about materials availability on site for air- craft recovery operations and local resources that may be called on during a disabled aircraft recovery event, including having qualified personnel in place or assist- ing in identifying qualified recovery resources and materials if requested by the aircraft owner/operator. Airport operators may wish to include legal counsel when developing this list to avoid restrictions on show- ing preference to vendors. • Benefits for airport operators visiting airports in other countries, such as Europe, to learn how they conduct aircraft recovery. In the end, airport operators are responsible for develop- ing contingency plans to handle any situation that may arise on their property. Whether this includes security breaches, bomb threats, aircraft accidents, or a disabled aircraft, pro- actively planning ahead is an airport’s best tool to handle any situation that may arise. The goal of this synthesis report has been to shed some light on the topic of disabled air- craft recovery and provide information to enable airports to develop this tool. At the present, there is not a wealth of information avail- able in the United States to provide guidance to airports in effectively expediting the recovery of disabled aircraft. The following possible areas of further research associated with the topic of aircraft recovery would be beneficial for airports. • Off-airport and water recovery—Although this report focuses on the recovery of disabled aircraft on air- port, it would be helpful for airports to have infor- mation to help develop off airport and water aircraft

49 recovery plans. Recovering aircraft in these two situ- ations presents additional complexities not addressed in this synthesis. • Synthesizing guidance on aircraft recovery from other countries throughout the world. This report relied heav- ily on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidance. Further research could include syn- thesizing guidance on this topic among other countries. Awareness of international practices would provide additional insight for U.S. airports. • Commonalities among U.S. airports—Although many airports have some guidance and/or plans regarding dis- abled aircraft recovery within their Airport Emergency Plan, ICAO guidance recommends a separate Aircraft Recovery Plan (ARP). Results from this reports review tends to favor a stand-alone ARP. Further research could determine the degree to which U.S. airports have developed stand-alone ARPs. Also, further research on current training practices among airports in prepa- ration for aircraft recovery would be useful. It would be beneficial if this research provided insight into cur- rent drills and exercises, as well as methods of training, simulation, and role playing for personnel responsible for aircraft recovery.