Air Carrier Cabin Safety. A Survey.

This is an overview report on the status and efficacy of the Federal Aviation Administrations air carrier cabin safety program. Up-to-date information on recurring cabin safety issues and problems was solicited from airplane manufacturers, air carriers, flight and cabin crews, associated organizations and others. The National Transportation Safety Board provided pertinent accident data and safety recommendations developed from aircraft accident investigation. The survey identifies significant recurring cabin safety operational problems including flight attendant training and protection, flammability of cabin interiors, toxicity and smoke generation during post-crash fires, emergency evacuation, survivability. Seventeen recommendations are presented for instituting actions by the FAAs Flight Standards Service, Office of Aviation Medicine and Office of Aviation Safety to resolve recurring cabin safety problems and for continuing long-term improvement of cabin safety.