Ripple Effect: The aviation industry was badly shaken by the tragic events of September 11 and aircraft technicians now find themselves amidst the rubble of the aftermath

Ripple Effect

The aviation industry was badly shaken by the tragic events of September 11 and aircraft technicians now find themselves amidst the rubble of the aftermath

By Stephen P. Prentice

November 2001

Like many viewers, I saw in real time, a Boeing 767 intentionally crash into Tower 2 of the World Trade Center building in New York on the morning of September 11. I could hardly believe what I saw. Now, new security steps are in place while we all pray for the people who were killed or suffered injury by this criminal act described as an act of war by our President. Our air transportation system will never be the same again.

New security items
Among other new security measures, the FAA now requires a daily fleet-wide aircraft search after planes have been serviced with fuel and prior to any flight. Mechanics will be involved very closely with these inspections in addition to their usual service checks. This interior security inspection must be performed before any passengers are boarded. Inspections must be performed each calendar day and the search includes a physical inspection of the empty passenger cabin and the cargo hold. This security inspection must be approved by, and will be supervised by, security personnel and on-site mechanics. Many airlines have stated that in order to accomplish these and other security objectives, it will be necessary to operate a reduced schedule. Airports, likewise, will be thoroughly searched daily before any flights can proceed. Ramp areas, tool and tire storage and other mechanic supervised work areas will be examined very carefully on a continuing basis. The FAA also placed a temporary suspension on the carriage of mail and cargo aboard passenger aircraft.

Gore Commission on Security
In 1996, the Gore Commission proposed these types of safety steps and many others. The Commission on Aviation Safety and Security was established after the TWA 800 incident. Press reports state that the laundry list of recommendations published in 1997 was largely ignored by the industry and the FAA. For example, computerized profiling of all passengers was strongly urged by the Commission to detect potential terrorists. Had this system been in place, it may have tipped off authorities to some of the people involved with the September 11 incident and may have prevented the whole affair. The recent report to Congress regarding this matter, delivered on September 16, said that 25 of the 31 measures had been "completed" but went on to say later in the report that few of the safety measures were in fact, in place!

The mechanic’s box cutter?
You no doubt heard the story by now about American Airlines personnel finding a box cutter under a seat while inspecting a SAN to JFK non-stop a week or so after the criminal attack on September 11. The reported statement was something like, "Oh well, lots of mechanics use box cutters in their normal work." The inference being that one of the mechanics left it in the aircraft by mistake. Nonsense. We all know that mechanics don’t normally use a box cutter tool and none that I know even have one in their toolbox.
Another incident reported involves the discovery of another box cutter tool on a serving cart, which immediately forced a return to the gate. A prank? Who knows? But you and I know that no mechanic left it there!

Lost security – The Mechanic Flight Engineer
A few issues back, we talked about the Flight Engineer (FE). A traditional onboard airframe and powerplant mechanic. If the aircraft provided for an FE, he was in place to be the security officer for the aircraft in addition to his other duties. The FE was positioned closest to the entry door of most aircraft flight decks and thus blocked the way to the Captain and First Officer. Instead of laying off mechanics and other employees, airlines should cross train them for onboard security positions.
Unfortunately, the airlines felt the need to dispose of the FE position in order to reduce their payroll some years ago. Yes, money prevailed and this crewmember was removed from many aircraft. Many captains will tell you that they believe that the removal of the second officer from larger transport aircraft was a singular blunder, among others, regarding security.