NTSB Recommends Cockpit Fire Extinguisher Accessibility for Oxygen Mask Wearers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a formal safety recommendation, designated as ENG10IA029 and labeled A-11-081, directed specifically at the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive urges the agency to amend several key Advisory Circulars, including 20-42D concerning hand fire extinguishers for use in aircraft, 25-17A which covers transport airplane cabin interiors crashworthiness, and 25-22 regarding the certification of transport airplane mechanical systems. The core requirement of this recommendation is to explicitly indicate that hand fire extinguishers located in the cockpit must be reachable by at least one flight crewmember while they are wearing an oxygen mask. This update aims to ensure that critical emergency equipment remains accessible during situations requiring supplemental oxygen, thereby enhancing crew safety and operational effectiveness during potential fire events.