EASA SIB 2014-29
WITHDRAWN: Comments received indicate the need for a review of applicable recommendation
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2014-29 provides clarification on the minimum cabin crew requirements for twin aisle aeroplanes including Airbus A300, A310, A330, A340, A380, A350 series, Boeing 747, 767, 777, 787, DC10, MD11 series, and Lockheed L1011 series. It explains the operational and certification regulations governing cabin crew numbers, emphasizing the need for at least one cabin crew member per emergency exit on twin aisle aircraft due to evacuation management challenges. The bulletin addresses misunderstandings arising from Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and highlights the importance of adequate cabin crew supervision for passenger safety during evacuations.
What Changed
This bulletin clarifies that the previous allowance to reduce cabin crew numbers based on reduced passenger seating capacity has been removed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. It introduces a new, more restrictive approach that requires a minimum number of cabin crew based on aircraft certification data without reductions except in rare cases. Specifically, it states that on twin aisle aeroplanes, each pair of emergency exits must be supervised by at least two cabin crew members, eliminating the practice of one crew member managing both exits.
Why It Matters
This clarification is critical for operators and compliance teams to ensure adherence to updated European operational regulations and to maintain passenger safety during emergency evacuations. It impacts crew scheduling and training by enforcing minimum staffing levels that reflect actual evacuation needs on complex twin aisle aircraft. Understanding these requirements helps avoid regulatory non-compliance and enhances the effectiveness of emergency procedures.
What To Do
Operators of affected twin aisle aeroplanes should review their cabin crew staffing policies to ensure compliance with the clarified minimum crew numbers as per EASA SIB 2014-29 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. They should verify that each emergency exit pair is staffed by at least two cabin crew members and update operational manuals accordingly. No explicit compliance deadline is stated, but adherence is expected by the latest applicability date of 28 October 2014.