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Final pre-flight external inspection
Date issue released
Issue number
AO-2025-041-SI-01
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aviation: Air transport
Issue Owner
Sharp Airlines
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Issue finalisation date
Safety Issue Description

Sharp Airlines’ Flight crew operating manual required that:

  • a terminating check be completed if the aircraft was unattended for more than 60 minutes, but did not specify what checks were to be completed on return to the aircraft
  • pitot covers should be installed after the last flight of the day only, where the operator required that they be installed if the aircraft was unattended for longer than 60 minutes. 

In addition, the final visual check, completed by the first officer prior to closing the doors, did not include checking that pitot covers had been removed.

Issue Status Justification

Sharp Airlines has updated its flight crew operating manual to ensure clarity around when pitot covers should be installed, and which pre-flight inspections are to be completed by flight crew when returning to the aircraft. The manual now also includes a check to ensure the pitot tube covers have been removed as part of the pre-departure check. The ATSB is satisfied that this adequately addresses the safety issue.

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2025-041-PSA-01
Organisation
Sharp Airlines
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Sharp Airlines advised that it was reviewing the company standard operating procedures, expected to be completed by March 2026, to ensure clarity of process for pre-flight inspections and pitot tube cover usage.

ATSB Response

The ATSB welcomes the operator’s procedural review and will continue to monitor the safety issue to ensure the proposed action provides clarity on:

  • pitot tube covers usage
  • which pre-flight inspections are to be completed by flight crew when returning to the aircraft. 

Organisation Response

Date Received
Organisation
Sharp Airlines
Response Status
Closed
Response Text

Sharp Airlines has updated its flight crew operating manual to ensure clarity around when pitot covers should be installed, and which pre-flight inspections are to be completed by flight crew when returning to the aircraft. The manual now also includes a check to ensure the pitot tube covers have been removed as part of the pre-departure check. The ATSB is satisfied that this adequately addresses the safety issue.

ATSB Response

The ATSB is satisfied that this adequately addresses the safety issue.

ATSB Response date