NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Proposed amendments to Part 90 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 This NPRM will be of interest to: Operators of aircraft with a certificated maximum passenger seating capacity of 30 or more. Issued as part of the process of public consultation by CASA’s Standards Development and Quality Assurance Branch Document NPRM 1213CS – August 2013 PROJECT NUMBER: CS 12/15 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Foreword This Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) with a view to ensuring that Australian aviation safety requirements are current and appropriately address safety risks. CASA’s policies require that the aviation safety regulations must: be necessary to address known or likely safety risks; provide for the most efficient allocation of Industry and CASA resources; be clear and concise; and where appropriate, be aligned with international standards and drafted in outcome based terms. The proposed amendment to Part 90 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) would address safety based design standards for cockpit doors that are required to be hardened for security based reasons. Background Existing aircraft design standards for cockpit doors prior to 2001 never envisioned the door being hardened. The subsequent hardening of these doors had safety consequences affecting standard and emergency procedures, both from within the cockpit and the passenger cabin. Principally, assistance from the cabin in times of in-flight pilot incapacitation and escape from the cockpit to the cabin in post-crash situations were generally made more difficult. Currently the Australian requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors (HCD) are contained in the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 (ATSR 2005). The Office of Transport Security (OTS) at the Department of Infrastructure and Transport is the custodian of these regulations. ATSR 2005 contains technical standards related to the physical hardening of the door and to security related operations of the aircraft. They do not contain requirements related to aircraft airworthiness or maintenance. Proposed Changes in a Page The time-conscious reader will obtain a quick appreciation of this NPRM through the Proposed Changes in a Page (NPRM Section 2). A text synopsis of the proposed changes is provided as background (NPRM Section 3). For further information about the change, refer to the CASA policy for the Part 90 of CASR 1998 at Annex A to this NPRM and the draft Advisory Circular (AC) 90-2(0) at Annex B to this NPRM. How you can help us CASA is responsible under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, amongst other functions, for developing and promulgating appropriate, clear and concise aviation safety standards. In the performance of this function and the exercise of its powers, CASA must, where appropriate, consult with government, commercial, industrial, consumer and other relevant bodies and organisations. Civil Aviation Act 1988 Paragraph 9(1)(c) and Section 16 Document NPRM 1213CS Page 1 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors To ensure clear and relevant safety standards, we need the benefit of your knowledge as an aviator, aviation consumer and/or provider of related products and services by completing the Response Form (in this NPRM or online) and returning it to CASA by 27 September 2013. Implementation Schedule The consultation period will finish on 27 September 2013 and the intention is to publish the amended Part 90 of CASR 1998 as soon as possible following the consultation. I would like to thank you for expressing interest in this proposal and emphasise that no rule changes will be undertaken until all NPRM responses and submissions received by the closing date 27 September 2013 have been considered. Peter Boyd Executive Manager Standards Division 31 July 2013 Document NPRM 1213CS Page 2 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Contents Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Definitions ....................................................................................................................................... 4 What will CASA do with your comments?.................................................................................. 5 3.1 Purpose and background of this NPRM ............................................................................ 6 3.2 Reasons for change ............................................................................................................ 6 3.3 Objective(s) ....................................................................................................................... 7 3.4 Change proposals............................................................................................................... 8 3.5 Benefits and impacts.......................................................................................................... 8 3.6 Implementation and review ............................................................................................... 9 Annex A – Proposed Policy for the Regulations – Additions to Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 90 ........................................................................................................ A1 Annex B – Draft – Proposed Advisory Circular AC 90-2(0) .................................................. B1 Document NPRM 1213CS Page 3 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Acronyms ATSB ATSR CASA CASR EASA FAA FAR HCD NFRM NPRM OTS SOR Australian Transport Safety Bureau Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 European Aviation Safety Agency Federal Aviation Administration (USA) Federal Aviation Regulation Hardened Cockpit Doors Notice of Final Rule Making Notice of Proposed Rule Making Office of Transport Security Summary of Responses Definitions Hardened Cockpit Door means the door between the cockpit and the passenger cabin that has design features that meet the requirements of Provision 4.68 of ATSR 2005. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 4 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making 1. Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors The Consultation Process 1.1 CASA is committed to working cooperatively with the aviation industry to maintain and enhance aviation safety. The Standards Consultative Committee (SCC) is a joint industry/CASA forum that brings together CASA staff and representatives from a diverse range of aviation industry organisations to involve the aviation industry formally during the development phase of regulatory proposals. CASA and industry experts work together in SCC sub-committees and project teams to develop regulatory material (both new regulations and amendments) and advisory material related to the regulations. 1.2 The NPRM process is CASA’s method of notifying and seeking comment from the aviation industry and the public with respect to the proposed regulations. 1.3 CASA is committed to working cooperatively with the aviation industry to maintain and enhance aviation safety. What will CASA do with your comments? 1.4 At the end of the response period for public comments, all submissions will be analysed, evaluated and considered. Subsequent to the closing date for comments, a Notice of Final Rule Making (NFRM) including a Summary of Responses (SOR) will be prepared and made publicly available in conjunction with the making of the Final Rule. 1.5 CASA is required to register each comment and submission received, but will not individually acknowledge a response unless specifically requested. However, the names of contributors will be published in the subsequent NFRM, except where CASA is specifically requested not to do so. 2. Proposed Changes in a Page 2.1 The proposed amendments to Part 90 of CASR 1998 will require safety related standards associated with HCDs. 2.2 The key proposed changes are: to add a new subpart “Security Equipment” and associated regulations; to provide for the ability of any flightcrew member to control access to the cockpit from their stations whilst still being able to directly control the aircraft; to ensure adequate standards for methods of post-crash escape from the cockpit towards the cabin; and to provide for return to base operation for equipment failure associated with HCDs. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 5 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making 3. Synopsis of Change Proposals 3.1 Purpose and background of this NPRM Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors 3.1.1 The purpose of this NPRM is to amend Part 90 of CASR 1998 to include safety based design standards on cockpit doors that are required to be hardened for security based reasons. 3.1.2 The aircraft design standards for cockpit doors prior to 2002 never envisioned the door being hardened. The subsequent hardening of these doors had safety consequences affecting standard and emergency procedures, both from within the cockpit and the passenger cabin. Principally, assistance from the cabin in times of in-flight pilot incapacitation and escape from the cockpit to the cabin in post-crash situations were generally made more difficult. 3.1.3 Currently the Australian requirements for HCD are contained in ATSR 2005. The OTS at the Department of Infrastructure and Transport is the custodian of these regulations. ATSR 2005 contains technical standards related to the physical hardening of the door and to security related operations of the aircraft. It does not contain requirements related to aircraft airworthiness or maintenance which fall under CASA’s mandate. 3.1.4 ATSR 2005 currently requires HCD for aircraft in regular public transport or open charter operations with a certificated maximum passenger seating capacity of 30 or more. 3.1.5 Retrofit standards for HCD world-wide consider support for an incapacitated pilot being provided by cabin crew. However, no retrofit standard currently considers dual pilot incapacitation. Such events are extremely rare; though most result in the loss of all lives on-board. CASA is aware of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) consideration of this condition and is monitoring the outcome; however, it is not part of the scope of this project. 3.2 Reasons for change 3.2.1 CASA has inspected a number of HCD installations in aircraft, reviewed third party analyses, and worldwide aircraft incident and accident history. CASA has concluded that the current regulations do not ensure that the hardening of cockpit doors have had no unintended consequences on the safe operation of transport category aircraft. 3.2.2 The CASA investigation has determined two scenarios that need to be addressed: assistance from the cabin in times of an in-flight pilot incapacitation, and escape from the cockpit to the cabin in post-accident situations. 3.2.3 A review of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) accident and incident database was conducted to determine the prevalence of pilot incapacitation1 in Australian Air Transport Operations: The database revealed 83 incidents of reported single pilot incapacitation in aircraft with 30 or more seats over a 68 month period. The ATSB database covered incidents reported by Australian operators worldwide and by foreign operators in Australian airspace. There were no reports of dual-pilot incapacitation during this period. 1 Individuals were considered incapacitated when they could no longer perform in-flight duties, even for a short period. It also includes pilots who recovered sufficiently to return to their duties Document NPRM 1213CS Page 6 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Therefore over the reporting period, a pilot became incapacitated on average every 25 days in a high capacity aircraft or low capacity aircraft with 30 or more seats. A pilot required assistance in removing the affected crew member from the cockpit, due to unconsciousness, approximately once every three years. 3.2.4 Given the previous points regarding single pilot incapacitation, the importance of controlling the HCD for threat or assistance purposes is paramount. It is important that opening, or preferably just unlocking, the door is a simple and straight forward operation. 3.2.5 To ensure flight crew can assist in an emergency evacuation of the aircraft, design standards have required the cockpit door be designed such that crew can still enter the passenger cabin in the event the door becomes jammed. This typically involves a quick release system for the door or an associated frame. 3.2.6 The requirement for considering jammed doors was introduced to Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 25 at Amendment 25-47 (1979). Compliance with this standard was quite often met by proving the door was frangible and tests were conducted to prove this. As a result of ATSR 2005, cockpit doors are no longer frangible. 3.2.7 Whilst all designs of HCD have some form of emergency release, there is evidence from service history that HCDs have had a negative impact on non-security related safety aspects and accident survivability: Atlantic Airways accident, BAe 146-200, Stord Airport, Norway, 10 October 2006 2 – After a runway overrun, the aircraft was heavily damaged and a post-impact fire developed. In an effort to enter the passenger cabin, the Captain tried twice to open the cockpit door after it was found jammed. This effort included trying to remove the locking pins from the door frame. The flight crew eventually evacuated through one of the cockpit side window exits. A cabin crew member and passenger were subsequently found behind the cockpit door deceased from smoke inhalation. 3.2.8 Given the in-service evidence, it is imperative that the HCD has a method incorporated into its design that ensures the door can be unjambed from the cockpit side. 3.3 Objective(s) 3.3.1 As a result of the CASA investigation, some additional airworthiness requirements are required to mitigate the derived concerns. 3.3.2 It has been identified that the two principal areas of safety adversely affected by the hardening of cockpit doors are flight crew compartment access and flight crew compartment escape. 3.3.3 An amendment to Part 90 of CASR 1998 intends to include safety based requirements that are currently included in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations but are not included in ATSR 2005. 3.3.4 If the proposed regulations are implemented, CASA would expect operators to reassess the ability of flight crew to egress from the cockpit to the cabin in a situation where the door becomes jammed and the ability of the crew to overcome this obstacle. FAA policy ANM 01115-11 and Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (Transport Canada) No. 215 provide guidance that the reader may find informative. 2 http://www.aibn.no/Aviation/Reports/2012-04-eng?ref=1713 Document NPRM 1213CS Page 7 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making 3.4 Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Change proposals 3.4.1 Flight crew compartment access – To propose a regulation based on FAR 121.313(j)(1)(ii) and Annex 6 Part 1, Paragraph 13.2.2 of Operation of Aircraft, to the Chicago Convention, to require a system of access to the flight crew compartment in the event a flight crew member should become incapacitated and have those systems accessible from each flight crew members station. This is also in line with the proposed Regulation 26.250 of EASA Part 26. 3.4.2 Flight crew compartment escape – To propose a regulation based on FAA policy ANM 01-115-11 and as is generically stated in Annex 8 Part IIIA Paragraph 4.1.7.2 and Part IIIB Paragraph 4.6.2 of Operation of Aircraft, to the Chicago Convention, to provide escape methods in case the cockpit door should become jammed. 3.4.3 Note that these proposals are based similar requirements to those of other National Aviation Authorities and ICAO Annexes. However, worldwide the applicability is varying. FAA regulations apply to transport category aircraft in domestic, flag and supplemental operations, the proposed EASA regulation will apply to large aeroplanes (above 5700kgs) used for commercial air transportation, ICAO Annex 6 applies to international commercial air transport operations all passenger-carrying aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 45 500 kg or with a passenger seating capacity greater than 60, and ICAO Annex 8 applies to aircraft over 5700kgs. The CASA proposal would reference the OTS provision 4.68 of ATSR 2005 for applicability which is currently for aircraft in regular public transport or open charter operations with a certificated maximum passenger seating capacity of 30 or more. 3.5 Benefits and impacts 3.5.1 The proposed changes would ensure with a reasonable level of confidence that access to the cockpit can be initiated by a flight crew member requesting assistance whilst still being able to maintain complete control of the aircraft. 3.5.2 Operators will need to assess their affected fleet to ensure safe operation of the door whilst full control of the aircraft can be maintained by all statures of pilot. 3.5.3 The proposed changes ensure with a reasonable level of confidence that access to the cabin can be made by flight crew members despite the door potentially being jammed. 3.5.4 Operators will need to reassess their affected fleet to ensure that if the door becomes jammed, it can be overcome by all statures of pilot. 3.5.5 Some operators may need to make changes to procedures or physical modifications to their aircraft to comply with these new regulations. 3.5.6 CASA has inspected a number of aircraft with hardened cockpit doors and whilst most currently meet the proposed requirements, there are likely to be some aircraft that will be required to fit a remote access switch for the cockpit door. Some aircraft may also require minor modifications to the cockpit door to ensure post-crash escape. 3.5.7 The cost of installing a remote access switch will depend on the type of aircraft and the type of switch installed. In terms of indicative costs, one aircraft operator reported to CASA that the cost for a remote access switch was approximately $10 000, with between 130 and 187 hours of labour to install. This indicates that the total cost could be in the order of $17 000 to $20 000 per aircraft based on an hourly wage of $53 per hour for Air and Marine Transport professionals (ABS 2011). 3.5.8 A Regulation Impact Statement will be prepared and provided to industry for comment Document NPRM 1213CS Page 8 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors and consultation prior to any rule change, if required by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. 3.6 Implementation and review 3.6.1 Following consideration of responses to this NPRM, CASA will prepare a SOR and provide drafting instructions to amend Part 90 of CASR 1998. 3.6.2 CASA will conduct further analysis on the extent of the impact these changes will have on operators and pilots to ensure an adequate timeframe is given for implementation. A transition period of 24 months is proposed to ensure operators have revised training and checking procedures in respect to these changes. This being the case, a preliminary date for the proposed rules coming into effect is 1 July 2015. Please note this date may change depending on the time the draft rules are signed, registered and set to commence. 3.6.3 The monitoring and review of the new rules would be conducted on an ongoing basis during the implementation/transition phase. Thereafter, following the commencement of the rules, monitoring and review would be conducted on an as required basis under Government guidelines. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 9 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors NPRM Response Form ADDITION OF SAFETY BASED REQUIREMENTS FOR HARDENED COCKPIT DOORS – PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO CASR PART 90 Please complete your response by 27 September 2013 and return it by one of the following means: Online (preferred method) casa.gov.au/newrules/ors Fax 1800 653 897 (free call) Post (no stamp required) CASA Standards Development Branch Reply Paid 2005 Canberra ACT 2601, Australia E-mail [email protected] * A web-based online response form is offered as an alternative to the printed form in this NPRM. Online submission is the preferred method of sending your comments to CASA. If you are connected to the Internet, type casa.gov.au/newrules/ors into your web browser and follow the links for this NPRM. Your Details Please provide relevant information below and indicate your acceptance or otherwise of the proposal presented in this Notice of Proposed Rule Making by ticking [] the appropriate boxes. Your name: ______________________________________ ARN* (if known): Organisation: _____________________________________ ARN* (if known): *Aviation Reference Number, usually your CASA-issued licence or certificate number Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Your telephone number (optional): ___________________ (to enable the Project Leader to contact you as necessary) Do you consent to have your name published as a respondent to this NPRM? YES [ ] NO [ ] Signed: ………………………………………….. Date: ………………….… How are you responding to this questionnaire/proposal, i.e. whose views are represented in your response? Private Aviation industry Staff association/ Government Aviation business Other individual body/association union agency/authority/ owner/service department/council provider Please advise your main involvement in aviation: Passenger/ Air crew for Air crew for public consumer of passengernon-passengeraviation services carrying activities carrying activities Ground support for passengercarrying activities Ground support for non-passenger carrying activities Other (specify below*, e.g. parachutist) * Details: ____________________________________________________________________________ Are you satisfied with CASA’s consultation on this issue? Very satisfied Satisfied Document NPRM 1213CS No opinion Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Page 10 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Key Change Proposals (refer to NPRM Section 3) CASA invites you to advise your comments on the subject matter proposed in this NPRM by indicating your preference by ticking [] the appropriate box and commenting below: Key Proposal 1: To implement ‘Flight crew compartment access’ provisions in Part 90 of CASR 1998 (See Section 3.4.1 and Annex A) [ ] proposal is acceptable without change [ ] changes would improve it, but it is acceptable (please provide details below) [ ] changes would make it acceptable (please provide details below) [ ] not acceptable under any circumstances Comments or suggested changes (including an estimate of additional costs/impacts if applicable): __________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Key Proposal 2: To implement ‘Flight crew compartment escape’ provisions in Part 90 of CASR 1998 (See Section 3.4.2 and Annex A) [ ] proposal is acceptable without change [ ] changes would improve it, but it is acceptable (please provide details below) [ ] changes would make it acceptable (please provide details below) [ ] not acceptable under any circumstances Comments or suggested changes (including an estimate of additional costs/impacts if applicable): __________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Document NPRM 1213CS Page 11 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors General and Specific Comments Your response to the Proposed Regulation Polices for Part 90 of CASR 1998: Having read the proposed regulation policies for Part 90 (NPRM Annex A), are there specific issues that you wish to see addressed? Please indicate by specifying the relevant regulation, any change to that regulation policy you believe will add value to Part 90 polices, and a short explanation of your reason for proposing the change. Regulation Change(s) that you consider appropriate (please suggest change) Explanation ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. ………………….. ……………………………………… …………………………………….. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 12 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Your response to the draft Advisory Circular – AC 90-2(0) CASA proposes to issue an AC for Part 90. The AC will inform parties affected by Part 90 of CASR 1998 of relevant recommended procedures and provide some explanatory material. Having read the draft AC 90-2(0) (NPRM Annex B), are there specific issues that you wish to see addressed? Please indicate by specifying the relevant paragraph number from the draft AC 90-2(0), any change to that paragraph you believe will add value to AC 90-2(0), and a short explanation of your reason for proposing the change. AC 90-2(0) Paragraph No. Change(s) that you consider appropriate (please suggest change) Explanation …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. …………….. …………………………………………. ………………………………………. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 13 of 14 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Addition of Safety Based Requirements for Hardened Cockpit Doors Any Additional Comments …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Thank you Your response ensures balanced consideration by CASA of the interests of the industry and consumers. Document NPRM 1213CS Page 14 of 14 Additional information is available from: Mark Bathie, CASR Part 90 Project Leader Post (no stamp required): Reply Paid 2005 Airworthiness and Engineering Branch Civil Aviation Safety Authority Canberra ACT 2601, Australia E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 02 6217 1329 or 131 757 (for the cost of a local call) International +612 6217 1329 Fax: 02 6217 1914 International +612 6217 1914
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