Concerns have been raised by the Allied Pilots Association (APA) to American Airlines pilots regarding a notable increase in safety- and maintenance-related issues within their operation.
The union has reported various troubling trends, including instances of tools being left in wheel wells, a rise in aircraft collisions during towing, an uptick in items left near jet bridges, and the pressure to quickly return aircraft to service to meet on-time performance targets due to a shortage of spare parts.
Photographs obtained by CBS News depict a hammer discovered in the wheel well of an Airbus A319 on March 25 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport before Flight 1654 was scheduled to depart for Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The APA states that the first officer identified the tool during pre-flight checks and informed the captain. Subsequently, maintenance personnel inspected the aircraft and found a "Channellock style pliers and a screwdriver" also inside the wheel well. Notably, there were no ongoing maintenance tasks associated with the discovery of the tool.
Union Secures Commitment from American Airlines on Safety Concerns
In a recent message to union members, APA President Capt. Ed Sicher announced that the union had met with senior management at American Airlines to address operational hazards that had been identified. Capt. Sicher stated, "We now have management's full attention and have secured commitments to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment (SRA) process. We are also seeking a seat at the table for the entire quality assurance process. Management's initial response to our concerns was encouraging."
American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, emphasized their dedication to safety, stating, "Safety at any airline is a shared mission and it's especially true at American. Our robust safety program, guided by our industry-leading safety management system, includes collaboration with regulators and unions."
While the Federal Aviation Administration did not directly address the concerns raised by the APA, they highlighted the importance of Safety Management Systems (SMS) for all U.S. airlines. SMS helps airlines identify, monitor, and address potential hazards early on to prevent serious problems.
Issues regarding mechanics feeling pressured to expedite aircraft maintenance are not new at American Airlines. Additionally, United Airlines is currently undergoing an FAA audit following a series of alarming incidents, including a wheel detachment from a Boeing 777 during takeoff from San Francisco and an aerodynamic panel detaching from a 737 mid-flight from San Francisco to Medford, Oregon.
The APA memo concluded by stating, "While United Airlines is currently facing public and government scrutiny, American Airlines could easily find itself in a similar situation."
The safety committee of the union has issued a strong recommendation to pilots, advising them not to hurry or feel intimidated. They emphasized the importance of not succumbing to pressure and avoiding actions that do not seem safe, even if they are technically permissible.
