COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS AVIATION ADVISORY CIRCULAR
No. 0173
2000.05.05
Location of Additional Flashlights in the Passenger Cabin
INTRODUCTION
This Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) recommends that air operators install a second flashlight in the rear of an aircraft operated with one flight attendant and where the flight attendant seat is located in the forward cabin.
REFERENCES
- Paragraph 602.60(1)(e) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) states: "where an aircraft is operated at night, a flashlight be readily available to each crew member".
- Section 705.79 of the CARs states: "No person shall operate an aircraft unless it is equipped with flashlight stowage provisions that are accessible from each required flight attendant seat".
- Section 705.97 of the CARs states: "Each flight attendant required pursuant to section 705.104 shall have a flashlight readily available for use".
BACKGROUND
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has recommended that an aircraft operated with one flight attendant and where the flight attendant seat is located in the forward part of the cabin, flashlights should be available at both ends of the cabin.
This recommendation is a result of an accident investigation involving an aircraft type with one flight attendant and the location of the flight attendant seat forward of the passenger cabin. The required flashlight for the flight attendant was installed in the storage area under the flight attendant’s seat and was in compliance with sections 705.79 and 705.97 of the CARs.
In addition to the flight attendant’s flashlight, three flashlights were located in the flight deck of the aircraft.
The proximity of the flight attendant’s flashlight to those located in the flight deck has prompted the TSB to express concern that locating all flashlights in close proximity on the aircraft increases the risk that one or all of them may be destroyed or inaccessible if that portion of the aircraft is destroyed during an accident.
OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATION
The current regulations require a flashlight to be readily accessible from each required flight attendant’s seat. This enables the flight attendant to utilize the flashlight without leaving his/her assigned station during an emergency.
On many aircraft types requiring only one flight attendant, the flight attendant seat is located forward. If the flashlight located forward becomes unserviceable during an emergency, the flight attendant wouldshould not leave his/her station to retrieve a flashlight located aft until all passengers have evacuated.
The priority is to evacuate the passengers, and when time and circumstances permit, to retrieve any additional emergency equipment located elsewhere in the cabin.
For this reason, Transport Canada recommends the installation of a second aft located flashlight but does not require it.
Air operators who install a second aft located flashlight must:
- ensure the location of the second flashlight is easily accessible to the flight attendant during post evacuation checks of the cabin;
- ensure the location and use of the second flashlight is described within the Flight Attendant Manual;
- ensure that the flashlight operates in the same manner as the forward flashlight or where differences in operation exist, that flight attendants are trained on the operational differences and training programs reflect such.
CONCLUSION
On aircraft operated with one flight attendant, Transport Canada recommends the installation of an additional flashlight in the passenger cabin, at the opposite end of the aircraft to the location of the flight attendant seat.
M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation
Commercial & Business Aviation Advisory Circulars (CBAAC) are intended to provide information and guidance regarding operational matters. A CBAAC may describe an acceptable, but not the only, means of demonstrating compliance with existing regulations. CBAACs in and of themselves do not change, create any additional, authorize changes in, or permit deviations from regulatory requirements.