INTRODUCTION
Incidents involving aircraft damage on the ground, specifically the ramp are a serious problem in the industry. Although aviation is the safest commercial transport, ground handling safety management should take measures to prevent ground-safety troubles. The importance of avoiding ramp damage is underscored by both the direct and indirect costs of a failure to do so. For example, as a direct cost, one estimate has it that airlines suffer approximately $10, 000,000,000 because of damages that result from ground-related accidents. For indirect costs, these may include loss of direct revenue, flight cancelation, replacement of management, loss of supervision time, cost of passenger food and lodging, damage to the public image, etc. Clearly, Ramp Damages are expensive.
So, what is ramp operations and who is responsible? What are possible causes of ramp damages and the preventive measures that can be taken? This presentation is prepared to address these concerns and more.
AVIATION ACCIDENT DEFINED
While accident is generally defined as “an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury;” the Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 defines Aviation Accident as “an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft, which takes place from the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until all such persons have disembarked, and in which (a) a person is fatally or seriously injured, (b) the aircraft sustains significant damage or structural failure, or (c) the aircraft goes missing or becomes completely inaccessible”.
AIRPORT RAMP OPERATIONS AND CONTROL
The airport ramp (sometimes called the apron) is the area of an airport where aircrafts are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, or boarded. Although use of the ramp is covered by regulations, it is typically more accessible to users than the Runway or Taxiway.
The ramp area is under the responsibility of both the Airport and the Airlines. While the Airport enables passenger and cargo access to air transportation and related services via gates, cargo hard stands, passenger loading bridges, and fueling systems to support aircraft servicing at the terminal, Airlines lent gates and obtain rights to use the facilities from the Airport. Ground operations occur in the ramp areas and include a variety of services. Those operations are either managed directly by the airlines or outsourced to subcontractors.
The Airport is also responsible for the development and deployment of rules and regulations with regards to the utilization of the ramp. In particular, the airport ensures that staff, tenants, and service providers adhere to standards such as complying with speed limits, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety vests, and properly disposing of hazardous waste.
RAMP DAMAGES
Despite mandatory trainings on use of the ramp, the presence of a large number of people operating various equipment in a relatively constrained area (ramp), often under considerable time pressure creates an environment in which injuries and fatalities as well as aircraft and equipment damage would likely always occur. Ramp Damage, also referred to as “ramp rush” simply refers to occurrences (injuries to persons and/or damage(s) to properties) during (or as a result of) ground handling operations or apron services.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF RAMP DAMAGE
There are many potential typical threats of every flight operations – whether arrival or departure – some of which are towing and docking equipment, service vehicles, tire separation, etc. that causes damage on the ramp. Consider the following:
❌ Environmental Conditions such as night, daylight, dawn or dusk, rain, fog, snow, thunderstorm, and others.
❌ State of Aircraft. For example, an aircraft that was parked with brakes or chocks that malfunctioned or an error was made during pushback or taxiing with the brake set.
❌ Ramp Vehicle (Airside Vehicle) and Equipment. Since many airside vehicle and ground equipment operate in the environs of the aircraft on the ground especially during turnarounds at the gate, incidents involving catering vehicles, passenger-boarding bridges, cargo, and passenger loading and unloading, baggage carts, and other servicing vehicles cause considerable ramp damages.
RAMP DAMAGE PREVENTIVE MEASURES
✅ It is undoubtedly worthwhile for Airport Operators, Airlines and Aviation Companies to invest in ground operations safety. This they should do mainly by ensuring adequate training of all their personnel working on the ramp, gate areas, and associated facilities. In the words of LANDRY AND INGOLIA (2011), “airlines and ground handlers require operational and safety training of all staff to support aircraft servicing, including use of ground service equipment (GSE) such as belt loaders, tugs, transporters, unit load devices, baggage carts, pallet loaders, and portable ground power units”.
✅ A Ground Accident Prevention (GAP) Initiative projects can be launched to reduce incidents and accidents that occur during ground operations on the ramp and during the movement of aircraft in and out of hangars.
✅ Where it has been launched, the GAP Team should be focused on exploring several areas of ramp damage: collecting and analyzing data, developing program awareness and industry involvement, designing measures to eliminate the losses, and others.
✅ Airport Operator, Airlines and Service Providers must ensure that vehicles and equipment used for ramp operations regularly perform optimally with the benchmark standards in view.
✅ It must be ensured that only trained, rated or certified, and licensed Personnel provide ramp/apron services at all times.
✅ Aviation Security (AVSEC) must ensure that access to the ramp is highly regulated and controlled in line with industry standards and Airport Rules and Regulations governing the area.
CONCLUSION
Certainly, Ramp Damage can occur due to environmental factors, human error, or aircraft configuration. Whatever the cause, it brings about huge losses both to the airport and the airlines. To protect lives and properties, sustain good corporate image, avoid loss of revenue, provide customers with high-quality service and comfort, Airport Owners and Air Carriers should invest in ground handling safety – equipment, maintenance, and ultimately awareness.
REFERENCES
- America West Airlines. Web. 2015.
- Balk, Andrew D. Safety of ground handling. 2008. Web.
- Kanki, Barbara G., and Connie L. Brasil. Analysis of Ramp Damage Incidents and Implications for Future Composite Aircraft Structure. Web.
- Landry, Joanne. Lessons Learned from Airport Safety Management Systems Pilot Studies. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, 2012. Print.
- Ramp Safety Practices. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, 2011. Print.
