Release Follows Analysis Of ASIAS Data Of Misconfiguration Events

This SAFO serves to raise awareness of aircraft misconfigurations on takeoff with an emphasis on flap position.

The Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program recently concluded an analysis of flap misconfiguration events. This analysis included takeoff attempts with flaps set at zero and flap movement during the takeoff roll

The ASIAS analysis indicates that while flap misconfiguration events on takeoff are rare, they do exist. Approximately half of the events for misconfiguration during the takeoff roll resulted in rejected takeoffs. The other takeoffs were continued with the flaps being moved during the takeoff roll. The configuration of the airplane by the flightcrew should be in accordance with the operational checklists. It is imperative that flightcrews exercise discipline in the use and the execution of operational checklists to prevent aircraft misconfigurations on takeoff.

Directors of Operations, Directors of Safety, Program Managers, Directors of Training, Training Center Program Managers, Check Pilots, Training Pilots, Chief Pilots and flightcrews should be familiar with the information contained in this SAFO. They should work together to ensure that the content of this SAFO is emphasized in their training programs to raise awareness among their flightcrews of flap misconfiguration events. This is especially important if procedures are being changed in light of the new FAA de-icing procedures. Operators should review their own Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) data for flap misconfiguration events. Operators are also reminded to conduct an analysis on any change as part of their Safety Management System (SMS) processes.

FMI: www.faa.gov