Delta Flight Attendants’ $70,000 Error: Accidental Emergency Slide Deployment
A Delta Air Lines flight attendant recently faced a significant challenge after accidentally deploying an emergency evacuation slide, incurring an estimated cost of $70,000. This incident occurred on an Airbus A220 at Pittsburgh Airport just before the flight was set to depart.
Details of the Incident
The flight attendant, who has over 26 years of experience, expressed deep embarrassment following the deployment. As the aircraft prepared for takeoff, the crew armed the doors for departure. However, when the flight attendant mistakenly lifted the handle of the forward left-hand door, it triggered the emergency slide deployment.
Emergency Slide Deployment Explained
- Once armed, any movement of the door handle can activate the emergency system.
- The inflatable slide automatically deploys, regardless of the attendant’s intentions.
- This specific incident rendered passengers unable to exit until engineers disconnected the slide.
The forward left-hand door is critical as it connects to the jetbridge, complicating the situation further. Passengers remained onboard while the slide was uninstalled and the jetbridge was reattached.
Cost of Emergency Evacuation Slides
The expense associated with emergency evacuation slides is substantial. For smaller commercial aircraft like the Airbus A220, a new slide can cost between $50,000 and $70,000. If a slide needs deflating and repacking, the manufacturer may charge about $30,000.
Understanding Inadvertent Slide Deployments
This incident is classified as an Inadvertent Slide Deployment (ISD), a relatively rare occurrence in aviation. Airbus previously estimated that, at one time, there were as many as three ISDs daily. These incidents are more frequent during arrival, when flight attendants disarm doors and may accidentally activate armed doors.
- Accidental slide deployment can pose risks to ground personnel.
- It may also inflict damage on jetbridges or ground service vehicles.
Despite safety protocols like the cross-checking process, errors can still occur. For instance, on some aircraft, a flight attendant may not have a partner to verify their actions. This raises safety concerns, especially if slides are deployed during the disembarkation phase.
Industry Response to Safety Issues
In response to increased incidents, airlines like British Airways have implemented the Shisa Kanko system, a Japanese method where workers verbally indicate their tasks. Research suggests that this technique can reduce human error by up to 85%, enhancing overall safety in critical roles.
This recent event emphasizes the importance of rigorous safety protocols in aviation and highlights the potential costs and consequences of human error.
