Emergency procedures
Conditions for an Evacuation
Timing for Evacuation:
Aircraft must be completely stopped before an evacuation is initiated.
Initiation from the Cockpit:
Flight Crew Call-Out: “EVACUATE, EVACUATE” is the command to begin evacuation.
Alternative Method: Pressing the EVAC CMD button.
Initiation from the Cabin:
FWD Cabin Crew Member (CCM): Can request an evacuation by pressing the EVAC CMD at the Forward Attendant Panel (FAP).
AFT CCM: Requests initiation by performing an emergency call.
Conditions for Evacuation:
If there is no response from flight crew, evacuation may be initiated when any of the following conditions are observed:
Fire: Presence of uncontrolled fire either inside or outside the aircraft.
Smoke: Manifestation of uncontrolled smoke within the aircraft.
Damage: Severe structural damage to the airframe.
Evacuation Already Initiated: If evacuation is in process in another area.
Ditching: When the aircraft is landing on water.
Foreseen Emergency Procedures
Flight Crew Call-Out: “PURSER TO COCKPIT, PLEASE” repeated or Emergency Call with three high-low tones.
SCCM Actions: (Senior Cabin Crew Member)
Immediately proceeds to cockpit for emergency briefing (NITSS):
Nature of Emergency: Explanation of what is occurring.
Intentions: Where the landing will occur or any specific plans.
Time Remaining: Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).
Signal Agreement:
2 min / 1500 ft prior to landing, call-out: “FINISH PREPARATION. FINISH PREPARATION”. (Silent Review).
30 seconds / 500 ft before landing:
Emergency lights ON.
Call-out: “BRACE. BRACE”.
Special Instructions: Specific guidance for the crew.
SCCM Coordination with CCM:
Distributes tasks and ensures all members comprehend instructions, synchronizes watches.
Notification to Captain: SCCM informs the captain that all cabin crew are aware of procedures before passenger instructions are given.
Cabin Lights: Switches to full bright.
Passenger Instructions:
Briefing involves:
Seatbelts.
Locations of Emergency Exits.
Brace Position.
Safety card explanation.
Usage of life vests in the event of ditching.
Special Conditions Briefing: ABPs (Able Bodied Passengers) and passengers with special conditions receive instructions.
Securing the Cabin:
SCCM sets cabin lights according to external conditions.
Cabin Crew Members prepare personally.
Final Coordination:
SCCM confirms the cabin is secured according to specific times:
2 min / 1500 ft prior to landing: “FINISH PREPARATION. FINISH PREPARATION”.
30 seconds / 500 ft: “BRACE. BRACE”.
Emergency Lights Activation: SCCM switches emergency lights ON.
Boarding Commands: All CCMs repeat commands until the aircraft comes to a complete stop.
On Ground Command:
Flight Crew call-out: “ATTENTION CREW AT STATIONS”.
Unforeseen Emergency Procedures
Cabin Status: Cabin should already be secured.
Flight Crew Call-Out: “BRACE FOR IMPACT. BRACE FOR IMPACT.”
Emergency Lights: SCCM switches emergency lights ON.
Passenger Command: CCMs shout for passengers to “BEND DOWN, BEND DOWN…” until the aircraft halts completely.
Initiation of Evacuation: As soon as requested or if deemed necessary.
Unsafe Landing Protocols
Flight Crew Notification: Flight crew will notify SCCM via normal call (HI-LO).
NITS Briefing: SCCM receives the briefing for unsafe landing:
Nature of Emergency: Describe emergency.
Intentions: Plans for the landing location.
Time Remaining: ETA.
Special Instructions: Further actions following landing.
SCCM briefs the cabin crew about procedures and maintains a normal cabin secure.
Passenger Communications: Passengers are not informed of specifics.
Ground Command: Cockpit initiates call-out: “ATTENTION CREW AT STATIONS”.
Alertness: CCMs remain alert at their stations and assess conditions inside and outside the aircraft.
Call-Out Options:
“CABIN CREW AND PAX REMAIN SEATED”
Indicated by CPT via normal call.
“EVACUATE, EVACUATE”
Indication of an evacuation condition.
Communication: If no call-out is received, SCCM will reach out to cockpit for further instructions after a reasonable timeframe.
Ground Evacuation Procedures
Initiation:
After cockpit call-out “EVACUATE, EVACUATE” or if EVAC CMD is initiated.
If Communication Fails:
Reset EVAC Command: If EVAC is active, press RESET at FAP and AAP to clear acoustic alarms.
Emergency Lights: SCCM activates emergency lights.
Exit Usability Check: Verify exit door is accessible; if not, redirect passengers.
Door Operation: Open the door, pull the red manual inflation handle to check if the slide inflates; if not, reroute passengers.
Shouting Commands: Instruct passengers to “EVACUATE” alongside other crowd control commands.
Assist with Evacuation: Inform the first passengers to assist at the bottom of the slide.
Condition Monitoring: Regularly assess the slide and external environment.
Post-evacuation Check: Inspect the area after the last passenger leaves and take emergency kits (FAKs, megaphones, flashlights) before exiting the aircraft.
Watch Return: Prohibit passengers from re-entering the aircraft.
Evacuate Against Wind: Proceed away from the aircraft considering the direction of the wind.
Ditching Procedures
Initiation:
Cockpit call-out: “EVACUATE, EVACUATE”.
Lifejacket:
Ensure life jackets are donned.
Exit Procedure: Do not open any exit if underwater.
Usability Check: Ensure exits are usable; if not, direct passengers accordingly.
Door Opening: If the door is openable, pull the red manual inflation handle.
Detach Slide: Pull the white detach handle to separate the slide from the aircraft, keeping the mooring line attached.
Passenger Directive: Order passengers to jump into the water and inflate their life jackets.
Slide Separation: Completely detach the slide by cutting the mooring line using the knife atop the slide.
Passenger Assembly: Gather passengers and verify numbers.
Utilize Slide: Turn the slide over and utilize it to aid children, those who are hydrophobic, and for emergency equipment.
Move Away: Once evacuated, distance yourself from the aircraft while avoiding fuel/oil stains.
Pressure Escape Protocol
Cockpit Communication: Inform the cockpit of the situation.
Seal Opening: Block any openings from which air may escape.
Passenger Safety: Keep passengers away from the affected region.
Landing Preparation: Once the aircraft is depressurized and if passengers were standing, they must be in seated positions for landing.
Slow Decompression Scenario
Threshold Altitude: Cabin altitude reaches 11,300 ft.
Immediate Actions:
EXIT signs illuminate.
Cabin lights switch to full bright (100%).
“Fasten Seatbelt” and “No Smoking” sign activate.
Lavatory sign “RETURN TO SEAT” deactivates (remains OFF). 1. Ensure cabin lights are at full brightness if they aren't set automatically.
Notify the cockpit of the status promptly.
Retrieve oxygen bottles.
Check lavatories and passenger conditions.
Rapid or Explosive Decompression Scenario
Threshold Altitude: Cabin altitude reaches 14,000 ft.
Immediate Responses:
Oxygen masks deploy within the cabin.
Passenger Announcement (PA) volume increases.
Emergency depressurization announcements will be broadcast if the system is installed.
Flight Crew Call-Out: “RAPID DESCENT. RAPID DESCENT”.
Protection Protocol: Grand and don an oxygen mask immediately.
Securing Condition: Block trolleys, sit down, secure yourself.
Cabin Lights: Switch ON to BRIGHT position if not already activated.
Passenger Directive: Shout to passengers “PULL MASK, PLACE IT OVER NOSE AND MOUTH”.
Seating Requirement: Remain seated until emergency descent is marked complete by the flight crew's call-out: “CABIN CREW DESCENT COMPLETED”.
Check Status: Assess condition of other CCMs, cockpit, passengers, and lavatories.
Assist Passengers: Provide oxygen to those requiring assistance.
Oxygen Supply to Passengers
Vital Signs Check: Confirm the passenger's vital signs are stable.
Comfort Adjustments: Loosen any tight clothing, ensure the face is clean.
Cockpit Notification: Inform the cockpit of the actions taken.
PA Announcement: Perform the “OXYGEN TO A PASSENGER”.
Oxygen Bottle Operation: Slowly turn the valve of the oxygen bottle to ON position.
Mask Placement: Place the mask securely over the passenger's nose and mouth, supplying oxygen until recovery is observed.
Pressure Monitoring: Ensure pressure gauge does not drop below 200 psi.
Turn Off Oxygen: Switch the valve to OFF and stow the oxygen bottle securely in its compartment after 5 minutes.
Reporting: Document the oxygen supply status in the Cabin Log Book (CLB).
Oxygen Supply to Incapacitated Cockpit Crew
Pilot Seat Adjustment: Move the pilot seat AFT and recline the backrest.
Harness Security: Secure shoulder harness and lock straps.
Comfort Level: Loosen any tight clothing.
Oxygen Flow Check: Pull out the QDM (Quick Donning Mask), check the oxygen flow.
Mask Positioning: Place the mask over the pilot’s nose and mouth.
Emergency Knob Position: Turn the knob to emergency position for 100% continuous oxygen flow.
Supply Duration: Continuously provide oxygen until clear improvement is seen.
Disengagement: Return the knob from emergency position.
Cockpit Attendance: Remain in the cockpit while administering oxygen.
Procedure for Removing a Pilot from Seat
Foot Adjustment: Ensure pilot's feet are removed from the pedals.
Seat Collapse: Recline the pilot’s seat and move it fully backwards.
Belt and Armrest: Lift armrest and unbuckle the seatbelt.
Support Technique: Place arms under the pilot’s armpits, securing one arm against the other.
Pilot Extraction: Lift the pilot from the seat, ensuring their body is supported against yours.
Careful Removal: When extracting, minimize movement of the pilot's spine in the central pedestal and circuit breakers.
Communication with Cockpit in Cases of Fire/Smoke
Fire Location: Specify the area affected by the fire.
Material Identification: Identify what is burning.
Fire Development: Outline the evolution of the fire.
Smoke Characteristics: Describe smoke quantity, density, color, and its effect on passengers.
CCM Actions: Detail actions being executed by cabin crew to manage the situation.
Fire Fighting Teamwork
Finder Responsibility: The first flight crew member to find the fire assumes responsibility for combatting it and requests support from fellow crew members.
Supporter Role: The closest member assists by preparing the necessary equipment and providing guidance on usage.
Communicator Role: Establishes communication with the flight crew to relay information.
Coordinator Duties: Directs passengers away, removes hand luggage, oxygen bottles, and any flammable materials, ensuring calmness among passengers while distributing wet cloths.
General Fire Fighting Procedures
Immediate Action: Engage the fire immediately through coordinated actions.
Communication: Maintain contact with the cockpit throughout the emergency.
Power Shutdown: Disconnect electrical power in the impacted area.
Essential Equipment: Acquire all necessary firefighting equipment.
Material Removal: Evacuate flammable materials including oxygen bottles and hand luggage from the danger zone.
Passenger Management: Instruct passengers to evacuate from the affected area, ask them to bend down while covering their mouths and noses with wet cloths.
Close Air Outlets: Ensure air outlets are closed and block any openings where air can flow.
Post-Extinguishing Monitoring: Continuously monitor and cool the area once the fire is extinguished, as appropriate.
Report Equipment Usage: Document all firefighting equipment utilized in the CLB.
Specific Fire Scenarios
Fire in Overhead Compartments:
Notify the flight crew immediately.
Feeling the rack with the back of the hand to determine fire source, and subtly open for extinguisher nozzle access.
Close the rack after fire is managed, disposing of burnt contents in a metal container with appropriate liquid for safety.
Fire in Waste Container:
Disconnect switches and circuit breakers in the area.
Utilize portable extinguishers or non-flammable liquids to combat flames.
Inform cockpit immediately of the situation.
Fire in Lavatories:
Keep lavatory doors closed until preparations for engagement are completed.
Notify cockpit to disconnect electrical power before fighting the fire.
Before engaging, assess door temperature:
Cold Door: If smoke/heat is not evident, enter cautiously.
Bend down for safety.
Open the door lowly, using it as a shield.
Locate fire source and apply the extinguisher, awaiting around 30 seconds.
Hot Door: If smoke/heat present, do not enter.
Bend down to minimize inhalation.
Open the door slowly while shielding with the door.
Discharge extinguisher and promptly close the door.
Prepare to discharge another extinguishing agent if fire reignites.
Check surrounding areas adjacent to the fire and cool if needed with water or non-flammable liquid.
Fire in Oven:
Do not open the oven; if it has been opened, close immediately.
Power down the oven and disconnect relevant circuit breakers for safety.
Inform the cockpit of the incident without delay.
If the fire does not extinguish, cautiously open the oven, using the door as a barrier during extinguisher discharge.
Following this, relocate burnt materials to a metal container with an emphasis on safety and monitoring for possible re-ignition.
Fire Under the Floor:
Keep passengers away from this area.
Notify the cockpit immediately.
Remove any flammable materials in proximity.
If the floor is excessively hot, cool using wet cloths or blankets.
Avoid raising floor panels or creating openings to access the fire's origin.
Black Smoke in Cabin:
Inform cockpit of the situation.
Utilize Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) if necessary.
Await further instruction from the captain.
If feasible, close air outlets and instruct passengers to lower themselves and use wet cloths over their mouths and noses.
Lithium Battery Fire:
Notify cockpit immediately of the fire.
Gather required firefighting equipment.
Discharge BCF (Bromochlorodifluoromethane) extinguisher.
Upon flames being extinguished, or if flames were not present, pour water or non-flammable liquid over the lithium battery.
Use an appropriate empty receptacle to submerge the lithium battery if necessary.
Place the submerged battery in the lavatory and tag it as inoperative.
Emergencies Concerning Dangerous Goods:
Notify the cockpit promptly.
Gather information from passengers regarding item/substance if viable.
In case of a fire, apply appropriate fire and smoke-related procedures:
Verify water's usability.
For spillage/leakage, the following steps must be adhered to:
Relocate passengers from the affected region.
Open the Dangerous Goods Kit (DGK) as necessary.
Employ absorbent materials to soak up any leakage.
Place the soaked material in a polyethylene bag, ensuring the leaking part faces upward, securely closing it.
Remove gloves into another bag for double containment.
Seal both bags and store them in the rear lavatory, and ensure they are monitored regularly.
Post-Landing Protocol for Dangerous Goods:
Identify the dangerous goods item and its storage location to ground personnel.
Make appropriate entries of any used equipment and actions in the CLB.
Bomb on Board Procedures
On Ground
Do Not Manipulate: Avoid touching the device.
Inform CPT: Communication with the cockpit is critical.
Passenger Disembarkation: Evacuate all passengers, followed by crew members.
Safety Distance: Maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from the aircraft.
Aircraft Change: Change aircraft if feasible.
Passenger Baggage Identification: Inspect passenger baggage thoroughly before any re-boarding.
Relocating a Device to Minimum Risk Location
Critical Area Presence: Must be managed if the device is in a critical area where explosion risk is imminent.
Pilot Control: The captain must remain at the aircraft controls at all times.
Safety Check: Verify the device does not have any abnormal lumpy projections by feeling it through the packaging.
Evacuate PAX: Move passengers away from the device while maintaining low positions.
Power Supply: Disconnect electrical power supply to the 2R door area.
Device Move: Carefully position the device keeping it in its original configuration, directing passengers to stay low.
Slide Submission: Deactivate the 2R slide to facilitate relocation.
Device Security: Place and secure the device by door 2R, ensuring it remains in its initial position.
Explosion Mitigation: Cover with wet blankets and pillows, stacking cushions as additional protective barriers.
Preparedness: Have fire extinguishers and PBE ready in the event of an explosion.
Refuelling Procedures
Without Passengers Onboard
Device Prohibition: Use of ovens and electronic devices is strictly forbidden.
Door Protocol: Open doors must be guarded; preferably, utilize an air bridge or stairs for accessibility.
Obstacle-Free Closed Doors: Ensure closed doors are free from impediments with slides in DISARM configuration.
No Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited in the vicinity.
Spark-Free Operation: Avoid using devices that can create flames or sparks.
Access Restrictions: No unauthorized personnel should access the aircraft during refuelling.
With Passengers Onboard
Flight Crew Notification: Flight crew must announce through PA: “Cabin crew refuelling in process.”
Closed Door Protocol: Ensure doors are clear of obstacles and slides are disarmed.
Open Door Management: Open doors must have an air bridge or stairs attached for safe passage.
Passenger Access: Boarding/disembarking is enabled solely through doors 1L and 2L.
Repetitive Announcements: Reiterate PA announcements as needed to ensure passenger awareness.
Device Restrictions: Smoking and electronic device use (except In-Flight Entertainment systems) are forbidden.
Oxygen Supply Limitations: Use of first aid oxygen is not permitted during this process.
Position Accountability: CCMs should remain at their assigned posts, ready for potential evacuation.
Communication Duty: Notify the flight crew immediately of any signs of smoke, odors, fire, or other risk conditions.
Evacuation Protocol: In an emergency evacuation, CCM must arm the slide before opening any closed doors.
Completion Notification: At the end of the refuelling procedure, flight crew call-out: “Cabin crew refuelling completed”.
Cabin Crew Positions for Refuelling
SCCM: Positioned in the forward area; Door 1L open with stairs/airbridge connected; 2R door closed with slide disarmed.
CCM3: Assigned to the overwing area; monitors refuelling while blocking exits for evacuation readiness.
CCM4: Positioned to assist boarding in the forward cabin; may swap positions with CCM3 if necessary.
CCM2: In the aft area; maintains both 2R door closed with slide disarmed and 2L door secured (closed/disarmed or open if accompanied by stairs).
Procedure for Ice Accumulation
Flight Crew Notification: Report any observed snow, ice, or similar accumulations on the aircraft surface.
Frame Cleaning: Confirm that doors and frames are thoroughly cleaned from ice or snow.
Passenger Comments: Be attentive to remarks made by passengers and communicate pertinent information to the flight crew promptly.
Passenger Notification: Issue appropriate PA announcements when de-icing or anti-icing operations are underway.
Cabin Secured Procedure
Overhead Bins: Ensure all are closed and secured.
Hand Luggage: Verify it is secured and does not obstruct any aisles or emergency exits.
Seat Positioning: All seats should be adjustable to an upright position; tray tables should be folded, armrests down, and window blinds fully opened.
Passenger Securement: All passengers must have seat belts fastened, including infants with extensions if necessary.
Lavatory Status: Ensure lavatories are empty and marked as blocked.
Galley Security: All compartments, ovens, and trolleys secured with locked latches and brakes ON.
Overwings: Ensure free of obstacles, proper type of passengers, and that briefings are conducted as applicable; personal electronic devices should be turned off.
Door Security: Ensure all doors are closed, slides are armed, and a cross-check is executed.
Electronic Devices: Ensure all devices are in flight mode; large personal electronic devices powered OFF and stowed safely.
Safety Demonstrations: Conduct safety demonstrations prior to take-off.
Cabin Lights: Adjust cabin light intensity based on external light conditions.
CCM Positioning: All crew must be at their assigned positions with seat belts and harnesses secured.
Cabin Secured Notification: SCCM will notify the pilot through pressing the “CABIN READY” button at the FAP or by using the pilot call button twice to indicate completion of final cabin secure check.