Evac procedures for A320?
01-16-2009, 11:15 AM
#1
Che Guevara
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Evac procedures for A320?
Just curious what the water evac procedures are for the A320. The aircraft was sinking tail low and the aft door of the aircraft was opened. Is it SOP to deplane out of the aft of the aircraft? Is this expected?
Just so I don't get another PM stating how this is flamebait it's a serious question and no the media didn't make it up and the guy sitting in the last row didn't make it up. You can clearly see the door is opened in the pictures. Here's one.
TheStar.com | World | 155 rescued as jet sinks in N.Y. river
When doing a water evac should be back doors be used? No speculation on who did what just curious if it's SOP to use the rear exits.
Just so I don't get another PM stating how this is flamebait it's a serious question and no the media didn't make it up and the guy sitting in the last row didn't make it up. You can clearly see the door is opened in the pictures. Here's one.
TheStar.com | World | 155 rescued as jet sinks in N.Y. river
When doing a water evac should be back doors be used? No speculation on who did what just curious if it's SOP to use the rear exits.
01-16-2009, 12:10 PM
#2
APC co-founder
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Just like at your airline, the FAA certifies EVAC performance for each airframe type based on a regulatory criteria. FAA POI's work with each airline to develop training standards that meet regulatory guidelines. Some procedures may differ from airline to airline as long as they meet regulatory requirements.
That said, every flight attendent I've ever talked to is trained to determine the usability of an emergency exit before opening it or sending a passenger through it. Said a different way - they have to use judgement.
Not opening doors below the waterline when you have at least 6 usable exits above the water is an example of good judgment in my book
That said, every flight attendent I've ever talked to is trained to determine the usability of an emergency exit before opening it or sending a passenger through it. Said a different way - they have to use judgement.
Not opening doors below the waterline when you have at least 6 usable exits above the water is an example of good judgment in my book
Last edited by HSLD; 01-16-2009 at 12:40 PM.
01-16-2009, 02:14 PM
#3
seeing the large hubs...
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: 73N A
Posts: 3,763
I looked at the picture carefully and don't see the rear doors open. The overwing exits ARE open, and the front doors are open, but not the rear. On the side of the aircraft closest to the photographer, the raft is up against the fuselage, allowing people coming out of the overwing exits to get on the rft.
If the rear were open, they would be very obvious - if you follow the top edge of the front door back along the "US Airways" to where it would be on the rear of the a/c, you can see it's not open. The skin of the airplane is smooth there - no door sticking out a foot or so.
If the rear were open, they would be very obvious - if you follow the top edge of the front door back along the "US Airways" to where it would be on the rear of the a/c, you can see it's not open. The skin of the airplane is smooth there - no door sticking out a foot or so.
01-16-2009, 04:01 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: CA
Posts: 397
I looked at the picture carefully and don't see the rear doors open. The overwing exits ARE open, and the front doors are open, but not the rear. On the side of the aircraft closest to the photographer, the raft is up against the fuselage, allowing people coming out of the overwing exits to get on the rft.
If the rear were open, they would be very obvious - if you follow the top edge of the front door back along the "US Airways" to where it would be on the rear of the a/c, you can see it's not open. The skin of the airplane is smooth there - no door sticking out a foot or so.
If the rear were open, they would be very obvious - if you follow the top edge of the front door back along the "US Airways" to where it would be on the rear of the a/c, you can see it's not open. The skin of the airplane is smooth there - no door sticking out a foot or so.
01-16-2009, 05:15 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B737 CAPT IAH
Posts: 1,130
I'm no expert or Situation Room Analyst, but the plane was landed in a way that the rear door could not be open due the pressure of the water on the other side. This contributed to the outcome of no lives lost. If the rear doors were open, then water would rush in so fast and most probably would have drowned. They lucked out because the rear doors didnt open
I saw some photos that showed door 2L cracked open but no slide raft. Door 2L would be power assisted if armed and could be used if necessary. From the aircraft flight manual...after impact, the lowest point of the aft passenger exit doors remains above the waterline for more than 7 minutes.
Why the door is shown "cracked" open in the photo I saw I don't know, but it is usable.
LEE
01-16-2009, 05:54 PM
#6
Working Class Dog
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Spares Pusher
Posts: 1,668
Aft Doors
Logic suggests that you would look out the window to ensure there is no danger before opening the door. I'm referring to the Aft Doors here.
Quite possibly, the CC may have looked out the window and saw a fish staring them straight in the face and flashed back to the childhood trip to Disneyland and the Submarine ride they took.
Rule #1: Trout about, don't go out.
Quite possibly, the CC may have looked out the window and saw a fish staring them straight in the face and flashed back to the childhood trip to Disneyland and the Submarine ride they took.
Rule #1: Trout about, don't go out.
01-16-2009, 08:18 PM
#7
Che Guevara
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Just like at your airline, the FAA certifies EVAC performance for each airframe type based on a regulatory criteria. FAA POI's work with each airline to develop training standards that meet regulatory guidelines. Some procedures may differ from airline to airline as long as they meet regulatory requirements.
I haven't seen any other ditches of an aircraft so didn't know if it's a "blow and go" rush for any exit on the bus or if the airbus maybe didn't hold up the way someone thought it would.
01-16-2009, 08:22 PM
#8
Che Guevara
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Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
The USA Today had a picture on the cover where you could see it open. Not bashing anyone or trying to claim there was any wrong doing at all. Kudos to the crew. I was curious if things didn't go according to plan with the aircraft as they sometimes don't. I guess I'll wait for the official report. I'd like to know about the engines too. The odds of all this are so astronomical I hope everyone bought a lottery ticket. Hats off to them all.
01-16-2009, 08:25 PM
#9
Working Class Dog
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Position: Spares Pusher
Posts: 1,668
01-16-2009, 10:34 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: DAL Pilot
Posts: 1,133
I just saw the interview of a passenger in the back of the aircraft. She attempted to evac toward the rear and saw the FA trying to open the door. It partly opened and water started rushing in. The water was very quickly up to the passenger's waist. Not judging the FA... just stating what the passenger said she experienced.
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