Safety issue
| Safety issue description |
The procedures provided to ground and flight crews by Malaysia Airlines Berhad and the towbarless tractor operator did not provide clear guidance or instruction on coordinating activities related to pushback and, in the case of the tractor operator, were informally replaced by local procedures |
|---|---|
| Issue number | AO-2016-028-SI-01 |
| Issue owner | Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Menzies Aviation |
| Transport function | Aviation: Air transport |
| Date issue released | 13/09/2016 |
| Issue status justification |
The proactive safety actions taken and planned by Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Menzies Aviation, in conjunction with the additional safety action taken by Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia (the engineering organisation), will improve crew coordination during ground operations and adequately address the safety issue. |
Safety action
| Action type | Safety advisory notice |
|---|---|
| Action number | AO-2016-028-SAN-006 |
| Organisation | Organisations that work airside |
| Action date | 13/09/2016 |
| Action description |
Effective coordination and communication between airside crews can prevent or detect mistakes that could otherwise lead to damage or injury. The ATSB advises organisations that work airside and aircraft operators to ensure that ground and flight crew activities are harmonised, and to foster active communication and coordination between working crews. Safety Advisory Notice: Coordination is key to airside safety |
| Action status | Closed |
Safety action
| Action type | Proactive action |
|---|---|
| Action number | AO-2016-028-NSA-003 |
| Organisation | Menzies Aviation |
| Action date | 05/08/2016 |
| Action description |
On 5 August 2016, Menzies Aviation (the tractor operator) developed a written local operating procedure to incorporate local differences in work practices and improve coordination between work crews. |
| Action status | Closed |
Safety action
| Action type | Proactive action |
|---|---|
| Action number | AO-2016-028-NSA-002 |
| Organisation | Malaysia Airlines Berhad |
| Action date | 27/05/2016 |
| Action description |
On 27 May 2016, Malaysia Airlines Berhad reported that it was planning to amend its procedures so that flight crews advise ground crews whenever the park brake is about to be released. As an interim measure before the amendment could be approved, the operator sent A330 flight crews a reminder to communicate with ground crews before releasing the park brake to verify that chocks are in place. |
| Action status | Closed |