A-72-128
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATION 121.571 BE REVISED TO STATE THAT THE APPROPRIATE CREWMEMBER MUST PHYSICALLY POINT OUT THE LOCATION OF ALL EMERGENCY EXITS ON EACH AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO EACH TAKEOFF. AS A GENERAL RULE PASSENGERS DO NOT LISTEN TO THE ORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. THIS WAS TESTIFIED TO DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING RELATIVE TO THIS ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, PASSENGERS WILL TEND TO WATCH A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WHO PHYSICALLY POINTS OUT THE AREA OF EXITS AND WILL RETAIN THEREFORE A GENERAL IDEA OF THE LOCATION OF SUCH EXITS PARTICULARLY THOSE NEAREST TO THEM.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The Federal Aviation Regulation 121.571 should be revised to require that a crewmember physically point out the location of every emergency exit before each takeoff. The change is based on testimony that passengers tend not to listen to oral announcements but will watch a flight attendant who points out exits, helping them remember the general location, especially of the nearest ones.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Unacceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Dec 3, 1975 |
| NTSB number | DCA71AZ009 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).