Some Have Burst In Flight, Burning Flight Attendants, Others

The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) to inform air carriers and operators about a safety hazard related to standard issue coffee filter packages.

Several airlines and individual Flight Attendants (F/A) have reported cases of coffee filter packages bursting in-flight during coffee preparation, causing 1st and 2nd degree burns to F/As and bystanders.

The apparent cause of the hazardous situation appears to be a pressure build-up in the prepacked coffee filter package while installed in the coffee pot drawer. Precursors to these events include, water overflow from the brew drawer and a hissing noise. When the coffee pot handle is lifted, the coffee filter containing the hot coffee grounds can burst causing burns to the face, neck, hands, arms and torso in varying degrees of severity. Several ways of mitigating the risk of the coffee filter-packages bursting is to ensure the packages are not folded, use only one package per pot, and place the package in the brew-drawer seam side down. If the water begins to overflow from the basket or makes a hissing sound, step to the side, do not raise the handle, and turn off the unit using the on/off selector switch or circuit breaker. After the coffee maker has been turned off, brief all crewmembers, and follow appropriate maintenance procedures.

Air carriers and operators are encouraged to add cautionary instructions and procedures to the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) and training program, warning crew members of the dangers to personnel and equipment. Directors of safety, directors of operations, directors of in-flight and in-flight training and directors of maintenance, program and training managers should be aware of the safety hazard and mitigation strategies described in the SAFO.

FMI: www.faa.gov