CLASSIC HELICOPTER GROUP, LLC ACCIDENT/INCIDENT OVERDUE AIRCRAFT ACTION PLAN AND FORMS 07/28/2014
PURPOSE Date 07/28/14 This manual is to aid the employees of Classic Helicopter Group, LLC to be able to respond to a missing aircraft report, accident or an incident that has taken place with one of Classic Helicopter Group, LLC s aircraft. It is also to insure that Classic Helicopter Group, LLC responds in an appropriate and timely manner to any potential or actual emergency involving personnel, aircraft, or facilities. This guide is designed to assist Classic Helicopter Group, LLC personnel who may be involved directly or indirectly in an accident or incident involving company equipment.
POLICY Classic Helicopter Group, LLC, herby known as Classic Helicopters, has designed a post accident/incident plan which dictates that the immediate response of assistance is given by employees either at the accident/incident site or by providing assistance to the Accident/Incident Plan Director as needed. THE SAFTEY OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IS PARAMOUNT AND ALL EFFORTS WILL BE GIVEN TO IMMEDIATELY RENDER ASSISTANCE TO INJURED PARTIES. Classic Helicopters has developed an Accident/Incident Plan, to help implement and guide key individuals within the company towards completing needed information and procedures to have a safe and direct ending solution. All other employees shall aid these key individuals through this time. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL AN EMPLOYEE OF CLASSIC HELICOPTERS DISCUSS OR RELEASE INFORMATION CONCERNING ANY ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO ANY MEDIA OR OTHER INQUISITORS. All employees will cooperate fully with any investigation brought about by an aircraft accident or incident and conducted by either Classic Helicopters or any investigative agency. During any investigation, employees are required to truthfully provide any information, which may assist in the investigation. No information will be given which is not based on the employee s first hand knowledge. Hearsay and assumptions will not be represented as fact during an investigation. All communications with the Federal Aviation Administration, Nation Transportation Safety Board, United States Forest Service, Office of Aircraft Services or any other investigative agency will be scheduled and coordinated through management at Classic Helicopters. Priorities at Classic Helicopters will be: Priorities 1: Preservation of physical well being of personnel. Priorities 2: Preservation of Classic Helicopters assets. Priorities 3: Accomplishment of regulatory reporting requirements. Priorities 4: Minimizing potential adverse publicity for Classic Helicopters and employees. Personnel of Classic Helicopters typically will receive notification of a potential or actual emergency situation. This may not be the case in every situation however. Each employee must be familiar with Classic Helicopters Accident/Incident and Missing Aircraft Action Plans.
KEY PERSONNEL In order to accomplish certain requirements in an effective plan of action, there is a need to have employee assignments that fill key areas of responsibility. The Key Personnel will be filled by Classic Helicopters Employees to perform the responsibility of that position. If the following personnel are not available at the time of the accident or incident then an alternate will be assigned to carry out the responsibility for that position he/she is in. Titles and employee assignments are as follows: CEO.Tony Henderson cell: (801) 597-8669 Director of Operations.Kory Hale cell: (307) 248-3080 Chief Pilot Adam West cell: (801) 369-2381 Director of Maintenance..Raymond Walchli cell: (801) 550-3590 Program Director.Wade Patten cell: (928) 856-9899 Director of Safety Clint Jensen cell: (435) 590-3773 Communications Personnel.. Public Relations... Following any aircraft accident or incident, management officials will be extremely busy completing tasks required by their positions in the company. All inquires and input during and following an accident or incident should be directed towards one of the team members.
COMMUNICATIONS Communications are essential within Classic Helicopters when an accident/incident or overdue aircraft has occurred. There should be NO communications about an accident/incident of overdue aircraft outside of Classic Helicopters unless authorized to do so by the appropriate authority. Classic Helicopters individuals without assigned checklist responsibilities shall not communicate with anyone regarding the overdue aircraft or the accident/incident. All media requests for information from Classic Helicopters will be referred to Public Relations or General Management. Under no circumstances shall any information be released to any member of the news media or any other persons unless that information has been approved for release by the appropriate Public Relations Personnel or General Management. Remember that all information transmitted over the radio is readily available to any person listening to that frequency. NEVER transmit, or request to be transmitted, over the radio the names of any person possibly involved in the accident/incident. One should remember that the media would use any methods they can to obtain information regarding the accident/incident, including misrepresentation of the identity and purpose. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL CLASSIC HELICOPTER PERSONNEL BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH ATTEMPTS AND THAT PERSONNEL ADHERE TO THE COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES OUTLINED HEREIN. All information requests from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shall be referred immediately to General Management.
ACTIVATION OF PLAN The activation of this plan can be initiated in many different ways: A phone call, contact from an employee about Classic Helicopters or from external sources. One or more of Classic Helicopters aircraft has been in an accident/incident. If a Classic Helicopters employee, working in a field location, learns of a possible accident/incident, he/she will immediately notify Classic Helicopters home base. The next section will have a list of questions to help determine whether or not to activate Classic Helicopters Accident/Incident, Overdue Aircraft Action Plan. These questions will help as to which type of plan to activate, Overdue Aircraft, or Accident/Incident Action Plan. If the information received indicates that there has been an Accident/Incident, go directly to the ACCIDENT/INCIDENT ACTION PLAN.
DEFINITIONS Aircraft Accident An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft that takes place between the times any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. The Classic Helicopters Action Plan is applicable to any Classic Helicopters accident. Aircraft incident An occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which results or may likely result, in a personal injury or property (Classic Helicopters personnel or property). Classic Helicopters, for internal purposes, categorizes aircraft incidents as Level Two or Level One incidents. Level One Incident A significant incident, other than a presumed or confirmed accident, involving the aircraft, crewmembers or others and resulting or potentially resulting in personnel injury or property damage. Examples include: 1. Landline calls by Flight Services due to loss of communications and radar tracking of aircraft. 2. MAYDAY call by pilot or crew. 3. Known or suspected injury to personnel. Damage to an aircraft, and/or damage to property as a result of operations. Level Two Incident An incident involving the aircraft and from which injury or damage did not occur or has been verified. Examples include: 1. Precautionary landing in an unscheduled landing zone. 2. Any near miss safety incident involving aircraft, crew, support personnel, or bystander. 3. Major fuel spill 4. Loss of equipment from aircraft in flight. Overdue Aircraft Classic Helicopters aircraft is considered overdue when the company cannot confirm arrival of the aircraft at its destination, and there has been 30-minute interval with no contact. Then Classic Helicopters incorporated an Overdue Aircraft Action Plan in this manual. All information requests from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shall be referred to General Management.
ROTORWING INCIDENT/ACCIDENT LOG - OVERDUE AIRCRAFT Definition: An aircraft is considered overdue when neither communications nor radar contact can be established and 30 minutes have passed (U.S. DOT FAA Air Traffic Control: 10-3-1). Classic communications specialists will attempt contact with the aircraft at 20 minutes and assume the aircraft is overdue at 30 minutes if no contact is made. (Note all information accurately) Date: Time: Destination: ETA: Last Position: Heading: Time: Suspected Present Position: Departure Point: Time: Destination: Time: 1. Attempt to make contact with the aircraft cell phone and or sat phone. a. If no contact was made, attempt to call each crewmember on their personal cell phone. 2. Call the destination and ascertain if the aircraft has arrived. If the aircraft has arrived, ask the person you are speaking with to have crew call the Com-Center. 3. Contact Com Center Supervisor to determine if all possibilities have been exhausted in locating aircraft. 4. Contact the following Key Personnel and advise them of the incident. You will receive further instruction from Key Personnel. OVERDUE R/W a. Kory Hale Director of R/W Operations: 307-248-3080 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted b. Adam West Chief R/W Pilot: 801-369-2381 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted c. Raymond Walchli Director of Maintenance 801-550-3590 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted
ROTORWING INCIDENT/ACCIDENT LOG, KNOWN AIRCRAFT DOWN/INCIDENT Date: Time: Destination: Last Known Position: Time: Content of MAYDAY call: Time: Suspected Present Position: Com-Center Procedures (Note: If known accident, contact Com Center Supervisor as soon as practical to aid in responsibilities.) 1. Contact the closest Air Medical agency and initiate the Search and Rescue and launch the closest and most appropriate Classic aircraft. (Rotor or Fixed) 2. Contact Com Center Supervisor to request assistance in carrying out procedures. 3. Attempt to make contact with the aircraft cell phone and or sat phone. a. If no contact was made, attempt to call each crewmember on their personal cell phone. i. Make one attempt per phone. *When contact is made with anyone having knowledge of the accident, ascertain the following information: - Injuries - Damage to Aircraft 4. Call the key personnel below and allow the phone tree to be completed by the first person that answers. d. Tony Henderson CEO: 801-597-8669 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted e. Kory Hale Director of R/W Operations: 307-248-3080 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted f. Adam West Chief R/W Pilot: 801-369-2381 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted g. Raymond Walchli Director of Maintenance 801-550-3590 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted 5. Wade Patten Program Director 928-856-9899 a. Time Contacted Not Contacted b. Mark Larsen Chief Flight Nurse (If Wade can t be reached) (435) 979-7546 i. Time Contacted Not Contacted c. Base Manger if Program Director or Chief Flight Nurse cannot be contacted. 6. Contact the County / City in which the incident has occurred and request their assistance, list the agency(s) and time of initial contact.
Director of Operations Checklist Notify: Time Notified 1. CEO 2. Director of Maintenance 3. Program Director 4. Director of Safety 5. Coordinate with the Program Director for activation of other available aircraft, if needed. 6. Ensure appropriate activation and conduct of search efforts. 7. Ensure activation of appropriate EMS/law enforcement/fire/search and rescue response by Communications Personnel. 8. Complete NTSB accident/incident notification requirements. 9. If Program Director is not available, accomplish the Program Director Checklist. 10. Contact National Weather Service for weather data (forecast and actual) along the route of flight or the area of operation and at the accident site. 11. Collect and secure all operations personnel and training records pertaining to pilot(s) on aircraft, including training records, flight and duty times, and copies of pilot s medical certificates. 12. Schedule appointments for drug testing of involved pilot(s). 13. Accomplish the CEO s checklist if he is not available. 14. Prepare NTSB reports. (Reference NTSB Part 830.15) 15. Ensure that appropriate measures are taken to aid/recover all persons involved in the accident/incident, if applicable. 16. Coordinate with the CEO for notification of families of personnel involved in the accident/incident. 17. Notify the insurance carrier. 18. Identify company representative(s) to assist NTSB investigations. 19. Ensure that the Program Director Checklist is accomplished.
20. Ensure that the Director of Maintenance Checklist is accomplished. 21. Ensure that the Director of Safety accomplishes appropriate investigation of the Accident/incident. 22. Ensure that the appropriate reports are filed with NTSB and FAA. 23. Ensure accomplishment of the post-accident counseling program, is applicable. Notes:
830.5 Immediate notification. NTSB 830 The Director of Operations or the Chief Pilot shall immediately, and by the most expeditious means available, notify the nearest National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) office1 when: Denver, Colorado NTSB Field Office Central Regional Office 7:30 am - 4:00 pm (MT) 4760 Oakland Street Suite 500 Denver, Colorado 80239 Phone: 303-373-3500 FAX: 303-373-3507 Seattle, Washington NTSB Field Office Western Pacific Regional Office 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (PT) 505 South 336th Street Suite 540 Federal Way, WA 98003 Phone: 253-874-2880 FAX: 240-752-6343 (a) An aircraft accident or any of the following listed serious incidents occur: (1) Flight control system malfunction or failure; (2) Inability of any required flight crewmember to perform normal flight duties as a result of injury or illness; (3) Failure of any internal turbine engine component that results in the escape of debris other than out the exhaust path; (4) In-flight fire; (5) Aircraft collision in flight; (6) Damage to property, other than the aircraft, estimated to exceed $25,000 for repair (including materials and labor) or fair market value in the event of total loss, whichever is less. (7) For large multiengine aircraft (more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight): (i) In-flight failure of electrical systems which requires the sustained use of an emergency bus powered by a back-up source such as a battery, auxiliary power unit, or air-driven generator to retain flight control or essential instruments; (ii) In-flight failure of hydraulic systems that results in sustained reliance on the sole remaining hydraulic or mechanical system for movement of flight control surfaces; (iii) Sustained loss of the power or thrust produced by two or more engines; and (iv) An evacuation of an aircraft in which an emergency egress system is utilized. (8) Release of all or a portion of a propeller blade from an aircraft, excluding release caused solely by ground contact; (9) A complete loss of information, excluding flickering, from more than 50 percent of an aircraft's cockpit displays known as: (i) Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) displays; (ii) Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) displays; (iii) Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) displays; or
(iv) Other displays of this type, which generally include a primary flight display (PFD), primary navigation display (PND), and other integrated displays; (10) Airborne Collision and Avoidance System (ACAS) resolution advisories issued either: (i) When an aircraft is being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan and compliance with the advisory is necessary to avert a substantial risk of collision between two or more aircraft; or (ii) To an aircraft operating in class A airspace. (11) Damage to helicopter tail or main rotor blades, including ground damage, that requires major repair or replacement of the blade(s); (12) Any event in which an operator, when operating an airplane as an air carrier at a public-use airport on land: (i) Lands or departs on a taxiway, incorrect runway, or other area not designed as a runway; or (ii) Experiences a runway incursion that requires the operator or the crew of another aircraft or vehicle to take immediate corrective action to avoid a collision. (b) An aircraft is overdue and is believed to have been involved in an accident. 830.6 Information to be given in notification. The notification required in 830.5 shall contain the following information, if available: (a) Type, nationality, and registration marks of the aircraft; (b) Name of owner, and operator of the aircraft; (c) Name of the pilot-in-command; (d) Date and time of the accident; (e) Last point of departure and point of intended landing of the aircraft; (f) Position of the aircraft with reference to some easily defined geographical point; (g) Number of persons aboard, number killed, and number seriously injured; (h) Nature of the accident, the weather and the extent of damage to the aircraft, so far as is known; and (i) A description of any explosives, radioactive materials, or other dangerous articles carried. Reports The operator shall file a report on Board Form 6120. 1 2 (OMB No. 3147-0001) 2 within 10 days after an accident, or after 7 days if an overdue aircraft is still missing. A report on an incident for which immediate notification is required by 830.5(a) shall be filed only as requested by an authorized representative of the Board.
830.10 Preservation of aircraft wreckage, mail, cargo, and records. (a) The operator of an aircraft involved in an accident or incident for which notification must be given is responsible for preserving to the extent possible any aircraft wreckage, cargo, and mail aboard the aircraft, and all records, including all recording mediums of flight, maintenance, and voice recorders, pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the aircraft and to the airmen until the Board takes custody thereof or a release is granted pursuant to 831.12(b) of this chapter. (b) Prior to the time the Board or its authorized representative takes custody of aircraft wreckage, mail, or cargo, such wreckage, mail, or cargo may not be disturbed or moved except to the extent necessary: (1) To remove persons injured or trapped; (2) To protect the wreckage from further damage; or (3) To protect the public from injury. (c) Where it is necessary to move aircraft wreckage, mail or cargo, sketches, descriptive notes, and photographs shall be made, if possible, of the original positions and condition of the wreckage and any significant impact marks. (d) The operator of an aircraft involved in an accident or incident shall retain all records, reports, internal documents, and memoranda dealing with the accident or incident, until authorized by the Board to the contrary.
1. Report to Classic Helicopter Base. CHIEF PILOTS CHECKLIST 2. Collect and secure pilots records, training records and personal information pertaining to the pilot(s) that are involved. 3. Collect and secure other personal information that is involved in the accident/incident. 4. Coordinate with Program Director and Director of Operations and aid where possible. 5. Collect information on the weather at the time of the accident/incident at the location. 6. Notes:
CEO CHECKLIST 1. Report to Classic Helicopters Base. 2. Notify other members of the General Management. 3. Coordinate with the Director of Operations and Program Director to ensure appropriate notification of families of employees involved if injuries to any personnel results, or if the accident/incident is of such a nature that media coverage can be expected. This should be done in a timely manner, ideally before the media learns of the accident/incident and has an opportunity to contact family members. 4. Coordinate with Public Relations for statements and release of information. Guidance for media response is found in the Media Response Guidance section of Classic Helicopters Accident/Incident Overdue Aircraft Action Plan. 5. Notify company legal department. 6. Notes:
1. Notify General Management. 2. Report to the Classic Helicopter Base. PROGRAM DIRECTOR CHECKLIST 3. Ensure that the Communications Specialist accomplishes all applicable items of the appropriate checklist (Overdue Aircraft or Communication Center Accident/Incident Checklist) 4. Notify other personnel as necessary. (Sending & Receiving Doctor, Medical Director, Base Manager, etc.) 5. Ensure that the respective training department secures all training records pertaining to personnel associated with the accident/incident. 6. Coordinate media response activities with the public relations department and CEO. 7. Consult with General Management and ensure that a company representative is assigned to any NTSB or agency investigation team that is formed. 8. Coordinate with management for notification of families of those personnel involved in the accident/incident. 9. Ensure that other programs and communications personnel are informed of the accident/incident. Additional CAMTS Requirements to Note: Notify: Risk management attorney Security (as applicable) Human Resources (as applicable) State health department and other team members. Stress recognition and management to include resources for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing or other type of post critical incident counseling *There must be timely notification of next of kin. Coordination of family needs immediately after the event e.g. transportation, lodging, memorial/burial service, condolences, initial grief support services/referrals, (usually through appointment of a family liaison). Continuity includes follow through with the family after the event (e.g. submission of crew to national EMS memorial service, the continuation of grief counseling and support referrals, the inclusion of families in decision-making on anniversaries/memorials, and check-ins following release of NTSB reports, or equivalent, etc.)
10. Notes:
1. Report to Classic Helicopter Base. DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST 2. Collect and secure all maintenance logs and records pertaining to the mishap aircraft. 3. Assemble the aircraft salvage team and equipment, if applicable. 4. Coordinate with the Director of Safety for salvage of the aircraft, if applicable. 5. Ensure that all maintenance personnel are notified. 6. Ensure that time cards are collected and secured for mechanic that worked on the mishap aircraft in the previous seven days. 7. Submit FAA Service Difficulty Report (Reference FAR Part 135.415). 8. Notes:
1. Report to the Classic Helicopter Base. DIRECTOR OF SAFETY CHECKLIST 2. If it has been determined that an accident has occurred, and the site is known, go to step 3. 3. Consult with General Management on who will proceed to the accident site. Coordinate with local law enforcement authorities to ensure that the accident site is properly secured. If local law enforcement authorities are unable to provide security, arrange for private security. 4. Accomplish on -site portion of the accident investigation in conjunction with NTSB, if applicable. 5. Coordinate with the Director of Maintenance for recovery of the aircraft, if applicable. 6. Complete investigation of the accident/incident. 7. Complete the accident report. 8. Notes:
MEDIA RESPONSE GUIDANCE Under no circumstances shall any information be released to any member of the news media or any other persons unless the appropriate Public Relations Department, President, or other General Management has approved that information for release in the President s absence. Any information to be released to the media should be reviewed by the Company Legal Representative prior to release. It is beneficial to Classic Helicopters to respond to reasonable media inquiries as fully and in as timely a manner as possible, provided: 1. The privacy and rights of involved personnel and their families are protected. 2. Investigations as to the causes of the accident/incident are not impeded. The selected area for media briefing statements should be away from the accident site and Classic Helicopters areas. Although actual circumstances of an accident/incident will dictate the nature of specific media responses, the following sample reports are provided for guidance. SAMPLE INTITIAL REPORT: 1. We have received reports that an aircraft accident/incident has occurred with one of our aircraft. 2. We cannot at this time confirm or deny such reports. 3. We will advise the media when we receive further details. SAMPLE CONFIRMATION REPORT: 1. We can confirm that an aircraft accident/incident has occurred with one of our aircraft. The aircraft departed for at approximately with persons on board. The accident/incident occurred at approximately. 2. We can not at this time provide you with the identity of those people on board the aircraft, nor can we comment about any possible injuries. That information will be made available after appropriate family notification. 3. We do not at this time know what caused the accident/incident. Any comments about possible causes at this time would be unfounded speculation. The accident/incident will be fully investigated by appropriate authorities in order to determine its cause. Information regarding the accident/incident and its causes may be available from those authorities at such time as they release it to the public.
4. Any additional statements will be made by.