Bullet Points: Request FAA Consider Mini #7 "PASS"
Post# of 41413
Wow, Todays BLTA CEO Update officially verifies and confirms a bunch of info we already knew, plus provides some new insight on details we were not aware of. Organizing these in bullet points provides even more illumination. Consider reading this several times to absorb the following facts.
* Baltia submitted a request to the FAA that our Mini-Evacuation drill #7 be considered a “pass”.
* In drill #7, all required doors opened and slides deployed as they are supposed to, in time.
* BLTA Crewmembers performed their duties satisfactorily. In fact, crewmembers received accolades from the FAA for their professionalism and performance.
* However, slide on door R1, after proper pack opening and initial unfolding, became entangled on its internal geometric guide strap during the latter unfolding/inflating sequence.
* Notwithstanding, in BLTA's view, the escape system still could have been used in emergency.
* United Technologies / BF Goodrich, the slide manufacturer, concurred with Baltia’s analysis that the slide malfunction was caused by an internal slide packing error by the slide packing repair station, not following the manufacturer’s manual.
* This internal packing error could not have been detected by Baltia’s comprehensive receiving inspection.
* Baltia’s Chief Maintenance Inspector and the slide packing repair station’s Quality Assurance staff have worked in a joint effort to improve the packing process reliability with greater oversight, in order to significantly reduce slide packing errors.
* The FAA is currently considering BLTA request of a PASS.