Safety issue

Safety issue description

Regional Express did not provide flight crew or ground crew recurrent training to review the hand signals required to communicate with each other, including those used in an emergency.
Issue number AO-2022-019-SI-01
Issue owner Regional Express
Transport function Aviation: Air transport
Issue status Closed – Adequately addressed
Date issue released 04/12/2024
Issue status justification

The publishing of notices and additional training provided more opportunities for the flight and ground crew to become familiar with hand signals, including those used in an emergency. This would improve their knowledge retention and subsequent recall of these signals, if required.

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number AO-2022-019-PSA-283
Organisation Regional Express
Action date 22/05/2022
Action description

On 22 May 2022, Regional Express reported that the following action had been taken to address this safety issue.

  • Airport Advisory AA46/2022 was released highlighting correct hand signals
  • Airport Advisory AA47/2022 was released highlighting dispatch procedures
  • Flight Crew Notice P23/22 was released highlighted marshalling signals
  • A new computer-based training course was developed that included processes for 2-person dispatch, engine motoring identification and updated hand signals
  • A hand signal poster has been designed and disseminated to various bases as a safety promotion initiative 
  • Review and alignment of hand signals in the Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) and Airport Services Manual (ASM) has been completed.

In addition:

Regional Express developed a new hand signal to indicate an interrupted engine start which was included in face-to-face and computer-based training content.
Action status Closed