NTSB Safety Alert SA-026 - All Secure, All Clear

All Secure, All Clear

Be vigilant regarding accountability and security of

items

The problem

 Forgotten and unsecured items within an aircraft can lead to accidents or incidents

as they move during flight. These items can include tools used on the aircraft before

flight ; aviation -related items such as GPS units , clipboards, and antennas ;

nonaviati on-related portable electronic devices (PED) such a s personal phones and

computers; and personal items such as jackets or carry -on items .

Related accidents

The NTSB has investigated numerous accidents involving forgotten or unsecured items ,

each of which serve as important reminders ab out the critical need to ensur e that items are

accounted for and secured before flight. The following accident summaries illustrate some

common —and preventable —accident scenarios related to unsecured or forgotten items :

 A portable XM -GPS antenna migrated to the tail section of an Extra EA -300 airplane

and jammed the elevator bellcrank , which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into

terrain. The pilot and passenger died. (NTSB accident number WPR12FA155 )

 During the flight of a Hughes OH6A helicopter , a door opened and an unsecured

jacket departed the cabin and collided with the tail rotor . The pilot sustained minor

injuries and a second pilot sustained serious injuries when the helicopter landed

hard. (LAX03TA150 )

 A tool, which the pilot had used just bef ore the accident flight and had not

accounted for, interfered with the control stick , causing it to jam. The Czech Aircraft

Works Sport Cruiser collided with terrain during takeoff , but the pilot was not injured.

(CHI08LA040 )

 Before a fast taxi test of a Falcon XP , the pilot did not properly secure a sand bag in

the airplane's rear seat . The airplane unexpectedly became airborne, and the sand

bag jammed the flight controls , resulting in the airplane ’s collision with power lines.

The pilot was seriously injured. (CEN13CA302 )

 The pilot's personal locator beacon became lodged in the bellcrank for the elevator

torque tube and jammed the Xtreme Air airplane’s pitch control , minimizing the

SA-026 December 2013 , revised December 2015

range of available movement. The pilot was able to land the airplane, but it bounced

and ran off the runway . The pilot was not injured . (WPR11CA197 )

What can pilots do?

 Inspect the airplane for forgott en or misplaced tools before takeoff. Remember that

even experienced pilots and aviation maintenance technicians can make mistakes.

If you have recently had maintenance performed on your airplane or if you have

conducted maintenance yourself, this action i s especially important.

 Conduct an inventory of cockpit items before takeoff , including the number of PEDs,

GPS units, and antennas on board the aircraft , and ensure that they are secured .

This also helps to ensure their availability throughout the flight.

 Account for all flight gear and personal items such as hats and jac kets before and

after each flight , and ensure that they are secured .

 Incorporate all of these checks into your preflight actions.

 Remind passenger s during the preflight briefing of the importance of item security

and proper stowage of PEDs and personal items .

Interested in more information?

The reports for the accident s referenced in this safety alert are accessible by NTSB

accident number from the NTSB’s Aviation Accident Database & Synopses web page at

www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/index.aspx. Each acci dent’s public docket is accessible from

the NTSB’s Docket Management System web page at http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/ .

The FAA Safety Team ( FAASTeam ) provides access to online activities, courses,

seminars, and webinars as part of the FAA’s “ WINGS —Pilot Proficiency Program .”

Maintenance Safety Tip, “‘Fly-Away" Tools! emphasizes the importance of tool

accountability. This information can be accessed from the FAASTeam website at

www.faasafety.gov.

The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA -H-8083 -3A), which can be accessed from the FAA’s

website at www.faa.gov, contains i nformation specific to cockpit management in chapter 2 .

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-10-35, “Loose Equipment in the

Flight Compartment and on Glare Shields ,” which can be accessed from the FAA’s

Regulatory and Guidance Library website at rgl.faa.gov , also addresses this issue .

This NTSB safety alert and others can be accessed from the NTSB’s Safety Alerts web

page at http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety -alerts/Pages/default.aspx .