PLT OF LONG RANGE INTL SCHEDULES ADVISES THAT FAA MANDATED CREW REST FACILITIES PROVIDED BY HIS COMPANY ARE INADEQUATE TO ALLOW PROPER REST TO ASSURE SAFE PERFORMANCE OF CREW DUTIES.

Date: 2003-10

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

PLT OF LONG RANGE INTL SCHEDULES ADVISES THAT FAA MANDATED CREW REST FACILITIES PROVIDED BY HIS COMPANY ARE INADEQUATE TO ALLOW PROPER REST TO ASSURE SAFE PERFORMANCE OF CREW DUTIES.

Narrative

IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS; I HAVE SUBMITTED 5 RPTS THAT HAVE DETAILED THE CONTINUING LACK OF A PROPER INFLT CREW REST FACILITY FOR A 3 PLT B767-300 CREWS FOR FLTS IN EXCESS OF 8 HRS. THERE HAVE BEEN ON FIXES INSTITUTED TO CORRECT THIS PROB AND THIS SAFETY OF FLT ISSUE STILL EXISTS. ON 'DEEP SOUTH' FLTS FROM JFK TO BUENOS AIRES AND BACK SCHEDULED BLOCK TIMES ARE ROUTINELY IN EXCESS OF 10 HRS AND 40 MINS WITH JFK DEPS BEING AT XC20 AND BUENOS AIRES DEPS BEING AT XA30. CREW REST IS VITAL ON THESE FLTS TO ENSURE A SAFE OP. THE 'CREW REST' SEATS ARE CONNECTED TO THE ADJOINING SEATS AND EVERY MOVEMENT OR ACTION BY SOMEONE IN THAT SEAT IS XMITTED TO THE CREW REST SEAT. IF THE CREW MEMBER TAKING A REST BREAK IS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS OR HER DESIGNATED REST BREAK THIS DIRECTLY COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THAT FLT WHEN THAT CREW MEMBER RETURNS TO THE COCKPIT WITHOUT HAVING ACHIEVED THEIR PROPER REST. OPS NEEDS TO CHOOSE SAFETY OVER REVENUE AND NOT HAVE ANYONE OCCUPY THE SEAT NEXT TO A DESIGNATED CREW REST SEAT. NOT PERMITTING A CREW MEMBER TO GET PROPER CREW REST BY PLACING REVENUE OVER SAFETY VIOLATES THE CONCEPT OF A SAFE OP AND COULD LEAD TO A FLT CREW VIOLATION OR AN INCIDENT OR A SIT WHERE THE SAFETY OF THE CREW; PAX AND THE AIRPLANE IS IN DOUBT.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.