Midway Overrun and Flight Attendant Training: Lessons

Learned

Larry Parrigin

Southwest Airlines

April 27, 2010 1Southwest Airlines Inflight Training

December 8, 2005December 8, 2005

April 27, 2010 2Southwest Airlines Inflight Training

Accident Summary

• 737-7H4, from BWI-MDW

• 98 passengers / 5 crewmembers

• Minor injuries onboard, one ground fatality

• Nosegear collapse

• L1 and R2 doors used for evacuation

• 5-10 minutes to evacuate aircraft

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Emergency Procedures

• Operation of megaphones

• 30-second review

• Carry-on baggage during evacuations

April 27, 2010 Southwest Airlines Inflight Training

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Emergency Training

• Flight Attendant initiated evacuations

• Aircraft power loss

• Megaphones

• Unusual aircraft attitudes

• Assigned exit responsibilities

• How we train

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Megaphones

• Press the button on the handle and speak normally.

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Megaphones

• Press the button on the handle.

• Place lips in contact with the microphone and speak.

• Volume is controlled by voice intensity.

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Megaphones

• Use during power failures/PA inop

• Importance in an evacuation

• Hands-on recurring practice

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30-Second Review

• What is my brace position and the brace command?

• Stay in the brace position until the aircraft comes to a complete stop and the Captain initiates an evacuation.

• Operation of the assigned exit.

• Exit blocked procedures

• Evacuation commands.

April 27, 2010 9Southwest Airlines Inflight Training

30-Second Review

• Brace position and brace commands until aircraft stops.

• Evacuation decision.

• Assigned exit procedures.

• Evacuation commands.

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FA Initiated Evacuations

• Clarify conditions under which FAs may initiate evacuations.

• Include “unusual aircraft attitudes” as an evacuation trigger.

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Unusual Aircraft Attitudes

• A/C attitude as an evacuation trigger

• Assessing slide attitude/angle

• Altering evacuation commands

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Aircraft Power Loss

• Impacted systems• Communication• Flight deck door

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Carryon Baggage

• Flight Attendant safety

• Commands• In the cabin• At the exit

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Assigned Exit Responsibilities

• FAs must remain at their primary exits.

• Send ABAs to assess conditions if needed.

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Emergency Training

• Integrated approach

• Scenario based

• Encourage “What If” thinking

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Questions?

Thank You

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