Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia
Air Safety and Cabin Air Quality
in the BAe 146 Aircraft
Report by the
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs
and Transport References Committee
OCTOBER 2000
ii
?Commonwealth of Australia 2000
ISBN 0 642 71093 7
This document was produced from camera-ready copy prepared by the Senate Rural and
Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, and printed by the Senate
Printing Unit, Department of the Senate, Parliament House, Canberra.
iii
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Members
Senator John Woodley AD, Queensland Chairman
Senator Winston Crane LP, Western Australia Deputy Chairman
Senator Jeannie Ferris LIB, South Australia
Senator Michael Forshaw ALP, New South Wales
Senator Sue Mackay ALP, Tasmania
Senator Kerry O'Brien ALP, Tasmania
Participating Members
Senator Abetz Senator Faulkner Senator McLucas
Senator Bartlett Senator Ferguson Senator Mason
Senator Boswell Senator Gibson Senator S Macdonald
Senator Brown Senator Harradine Senator Murphy
Senator Buckland Senator Harris Senator Payne
Senator Calvert Senator Hutchins Senator Tchen
Senator Chapman Senator Knowles Senator Tierney
Senator Coonan Senator Lightfoot Senator Watson
Senator Crossin Senator McGauran Senator West
Senator Eggleston Senator McKiernan
Committee Secretariat
The Senate
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 3511
Facsimile (02) 6277 5811
Internet www.aph.gov.au/senate
Email rrat.sen@aph.gov.au
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ............................................................. iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................. iv
ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... viii
CONDUCT OF THE INQUIRY....................................................................... x
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................... xi
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. xv
CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND....................................................................... 1
Introduction ?the issues before the Committee ............................................................... 1
Current Applicable Australian Regulatory Requirements ?Flying and Airworthiness... 1
Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) ............................................................................. 1
Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).......................................................................... 2
Health and Safety Issues .............................................................................................. 2
CHAPTER TWO................................................................................................ 7
THE BAe 146 AND AIR QUALITY ................................................................................. 7
The aircraft ....................................................................................................................... 7
Aircraft configuration................................................................................................... 8
Number of BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia..................................................... 8
Source of air in the BAe 146 cabin................................................................................... 9
Domestic and international laws and standards for the quality of air in aircraft............ 11
BAe 146 cabin air quality problems in Australia ........................................................... 13
Australian Experience ................................................................................................ 13
International experience ............................................................................................. 15
Ansett Australia's approach ....................................................................................... 19
Incidence of Ansett fume reports ............................................................................... 20
Reluctance to report incidents .................................................................................... 21
Attitude of airlines to staff suffering reactions to fumes............................................ 23
Exemptions for flight crew not to work on BAe 146 aircraft .................................... 24
v
CHAPTER THREE ......................................................................................... 29
SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS AND POSSIBLE SOURCES........................................... 29
Examples of symptoms................................................................................................... 29
Possible enhanced effect on symptoms from flying....................................................... 32
Possible causes and sources of illnesses in the BAe 146 ............................................... 32
Engine oil and oil seals .............................................................................................. 33
Pack burns .................................................................................................................. 35
Difficulty in finding the source of fumes ....................................................................... 36
Issue of toxicity in relation to exposure to fumes........................................................... 36
Toxic Exposure .......................................................................................................... 37
Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) ......................................................................................... 38
Aerotoxic syndrome ................................................................................................... 39
Mobil Jet Oil II and the issue of toxicity........................................................................ 39
Labelling of Cans Containing Mobil Jet Oil II .......................................................... 44
Development of a new Mobil jet oil .......................................................................... 46
The Alysia Chew case .................................................................................................... 47
Medical evidence............................................................................................................ 49
Other clinical symptoms................................................................................................. 50
CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................ 53
TESTING BAe 146 CABIN AIR FOR FUMES
- AUSTRALIAN INITIATIVES AND RESULTS......................................................... 53
Study of toxic fumes on US aircraft ............................................................................... 53
Study of toxic fumes on BAe 146 aircraft in Australia and conclusions ....................... 55
Criticisms of tests and studies carried out on the BAe 146 in Australia.................... 60
Response to criticisms of current Australian testing methods ................................... 63
New testing program by British Aerospace ............................................................... 64
Australian attempts to resolve the problem of fumes on the BAe 146........................... 64
Actions taken by Ansett ............................................................................................. 65
Comment on Ansett's actions on the BAe ................................................................. 67
Actions taken by Qantas and National Jet Systems Pty Ltd ...................................... 69
Criticism of airline measures to address the fumes issue........................................... 70
CASA's support for airline action .................................................................................. 74
CASA's view on the significance of fumes on-board the aircraft.................................. 75
CASA's view on the BAe 146........................................................................................ 76
Criticism of CASA's approach....................................................................................... 77
vi
CHAPTER FIVE.............................................................................................. 83
IMPACT OF AIR QUALITY ON AIR SAFETY.......................................................... 83
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 83
Safety implications of illnesses ...................................................................................... 83
BAe 146 cabin air quality and air safety ........................................................................ 85
The Frank Kolver incident ?BASI Occurrence Brief No 199702276....................... 85
BASI Occurrence Brief.......................................................................................... 86
Criticism of BASI Occurrence Brief...................................................................... 88
Incidents of pilot incapacitation in Australia and overseas........................................ 90
1 29 October 1997 - Hamilton Island incident...................................................... 91
2 1997 - Brisbane incident .................................................................................... 92
3 31 March 2000 - Sydney/Melbourne incident ................................................... 92
4 13 April 2000 - Perth/Port Hedland incident ..................................................... 94
Incident in Sweden - November 1999........................................................................ 94
CHAPTER SIX................................................................................................. 97
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......................................................... 97
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 97
BAe 146 ?cabin air quality............................................................................................ 98
Current Australian approach to the effects on air safety of
BAe 146 cabin air quality............................................................................................... 98
Performance of modifications .................................................................................. 100
Current Australian approach to assessment of aircraft air quality................................ 100
Exposure to aircraft cabin air ................................................................................... 100
Air safety.................................................................................................................. 101
Committee Conclusions................................................................................................ 102
The role of the Minister for Transport in safety considerations............................... 103
Monitoring, assessment and measures to address the problem................................ 104
Matters the Committee considers must be addressed by CASA.............................. 104
Recommendation 1....................................................................................................... 104
Specific matters required for Airworthiness Certificates for
BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia ................................................................... 105
Recommendation 2....................................................................................................... 105
Appropriate tests for chemicals present in aircraft cabins ....................................... 105
Recommendation 3....................................................................................................... 105
Occupational Health & Safety ?occupational health issues.................................... 105
Recommendation 4....................................................................................................... 106
Occupation Health & Safety ?a detailed health and medical research program..... 106
Future medical research involving aircraft cabin air quality.................................... 107
Recommendation 5....................................................................................................... 107
Conduct of proceedings arising from compensation claims .................................... 107
vii
Recommendation 6....................................................................................................... 108
Test on Mobil Jet Oil II............................................................................................ 108
Recommendation 7....................................................................................................... 109
Filtration of Aircraft Cabin Air ................................................................................ 109
Recommendation 8....................................................................................................... 110
Committee Summary................................................................................................ 110
APPENDIX 1 .................................................................................................. 111
LIST OF SUBMISSIONS .............................................................................................. 111
APPENDIX 2 .................................................................................................. 113
LIST OF WITNESSES................................................................................................... 113
APPENDIX THREE ...................................................................................... 117
ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF ATSB' DATABASE SEARCH
FOR FIRE/EXPLOSION/FUMES AS A FACTOR
- OCCURRENCES (1991 ?1999).................................................................................. 117
APPENDIX FOUR......................................................................................... 121
LIST OF INCIDENCES REPORTED TO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INVOLVING FUMES ON
BAe 146 AIRCRAFT (TO DATE)................................................................................. 121
APPENDIX FIVE........................................................................................... 151
RELEVANT CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS........... 151
APPENDIX SIX.............................................................................................. 161
DIAGRAMS OF AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM ON BAe 146 AIRCRAFT......... 161
ABBREVIATIONS
AFAP Australian Federation of Air Pilots
APU Auxiliary power units
ASHRAE The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Engineers
ATSB Australian Transport Safety Bureau
BASI Bureau of Air Safety Investigation
CAA Civil Aviation Authority
CAAP Civil Aviation Advisory Publication
CAR Civil Aviation Regulation
CASA Civil Aviation Safety Authority
CO2 carbon dioxide
CO carbon monoxide
ECS environmental control system
FAA Federal Aviation Authority (USA)
FAAA Flight Attendants Association of Australia
GCAT Genetic Consulting and Testing Pty Ltd
IAQ indoor air quality
ICAO International Civil Aviation Authority
MCS Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
MJO Mobil Jet Oil
MMEL Master Minimum Equipment List
NICNAS The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and
Assessment Scheme
NJS National Jet Systems Pty Ltd
ix
TCP Tricresyl phosphate
TMPP Trimethyl Propane Phosphate
TOCP Triorthocresyl Phosphate
TVOC Total Volatile Organic Compounds
VOC Volatile Organic Chemicals
x
CONDUCT OF THE INQUIRY
On 22 March 1999 the Senate referred the following matters to the Committee for
inquiry and report:
a) the impact of Airspace 2000 on airspace users, operators and
providers, including its safety implications;
b) the application of competition policy to services provided by
Airservices Australia;
c) the impact of location specific pricing; and
d) the examination of air safety, with particular reference to cabin
air quality in BAE 146 aircraft.
The inquiry was widely advertised throughout Australia in mid-July 1999. It became
apparent as submissions were received by the Committee that a large proportion of the
submissions were concerned with item (d) of the terms of reference dealing with the
BAe 146 aircraft. As a result of this public interest in this specific term of reference it
was decided to treat item (d) as a separate inquiry.
During the inquiry the Committee received 53 submissions, 31 public and 22
confidential dealing with the BAe 146 (Appendix 1 is a list of the public submissions
made to the inquiry).
The Committee held a total of eight public hearings and three in camera hearings
during the inquiry. The hearings were held in Canberra on 1, 2 November 1999, 13,
14 March, 10 April, 1 May 2000 and 17 August 2000, Sydney on 1 February 2000 and
Brisbane on 2 February 2000 (Appendix 2 is a list of witnesses who gave evidence in
public hearings).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
1. The Senate Rural & Regional Affairs & Transport References Committee
commenced an inquiry on a range of airspace and air safety issues in early 1999. The
Committee was aware at the time it started its inquiry that there had been a history of
complaints concerning the quality and effects of cabin air quality in the BAe 146
aircraft.
2. As submissions were progressively received on the reference it became
apparent that a large proportion of submissions were directed at issues raised by
paragraph (d) of the terms of reference dealing with any link between air safety and
cabin air quality on the BAe 146 aircraft.
3. As a result the Committee decided to hold a separate inquiry on the issue.
4. The Committee's report and recommendations result from that inquiry.
5. The general issue of cabin air quality on commercial passenger aircraft is a
matter of growing international interest, and is currently the subject of a number of
investigations, assessments and inquiries in the United Kingdom, Europe and the
Unites States.
6. These inquiries are directed at determining how a variety of factors so to
combine to affect the aircraft cabin environment on aircraft. The further aim of these
inquiries is to re-examine whether current regulatory requirements and technical
standards are adequate in relation to a range of health standards including cabin air
quality.
The BAe 146 - Cabin Air Quality
7. The focus of this inquiry concerned factors in aircraft design and engineering,
particularly in relation to the BAe 146, which govern cabin air quality, and how poor
quality cabin air quality can occur. It should be noted that, while its focus has
predominantly been on the BAe 146, the question of cabin air quality has also been
raised with respect to other aircraft types. Poor quality cabin air includes air affected
by:
? Unpleasant odours
? Stale air
? Inadequate circulation of fresh air
? Fumes
? Smoke
? Chemical contamination
xii
8. Drawing on the submissions received by the Committee from air operators,
pilots, cabin crew, airlines, regulatory and air safety authorities and the aircraft's
maker, British Aerospace, it is clear that, the problem with the BAe 146 took a
considerable time to identify and to address.
9. It is conceded generally that cabin air in the BAe 146 has been, to use the
most commonly used description, 'smelly' since its introduction into passenger service
in the mid-1980's. The cabin air on the aircraft has been an identified as a persistent
problem since the early 1990's.
10. As well as a record of unpleasant odours, from time to time fumes from
lubricating oil used in the aircraft's engine have entered the aircraft's cabin.
The BAe 146 - Cabin Air Quality and Occupational Health
11. There has been for some time an occupational health effect suffered by a
number of aircrew and cabin crew flying the BAe 146.
12. The record of a connection between an occupational environment problem
and the manifestation of consequent health effects on staff, took time to recognise and
a longer time to address.
13. As a result those employees who have experienced the most severe health
effects have had to either cease flying, transfer from flying on the BAe 146 to other
aircraft types or take varying periods of time off work to recover.
14. As the Committee details in the report, a number of these individuals are now
in the process of pursuing claims in the appropriate tribunals. They are seeking
compensation for the effects they claim result from exposure to poor quality or
contaminated air in the BAe 146.
15. As the Committee also details in the report, professional associations
representing pilots and cabin crew flying the aircraft have become closely involved in
the issue and have ensured that protection of their members' health has been a
principal issue for consideration in remedying the problem with the BAe 146.
The BAe 146 - Recognising and Remedying the Cabin Air Problem
16. A further focus of the report is on the response by the operators of the
BAe 146 in Australia and the involvement to the problem of the aircraft maker, British
Aerospace in assisting and advising operators.
17. The Committee describes the design and engineering of the provision of cabin
air on the BAe 146, and how this system was studied, monitored and modified
to address the problem.
xiii
18. In particular, the Committee highlights the remedial programs, largely in the
hands of aircrew, which were set up by Ansett Airlines, operator of the majority of
BAe 146 in Australia, and how these programs have resulted in detailed recording of
events of poor cabin air quality on the aircraft.
19. The re-design of the aircraft's air circulation system, and the consequent
modification of all BAe 146 currently flying in the Australian passenger fleet, and the
programs followed to complete those modifications are given in the report.
The BAe 146 - Cabin Air Quality and Air Safety
20. In a number of places in this report, the Committee provides an account of the
regulatory framework applying to cabin air quality in passenger aircraft.
21. An important feature of the Committee's account of these regulations and
standards is that all are enacted as regulations - or orders - under Australian and
international aviation regulatory frameworks and are directed at ensuring that all
aircraft have systems or appropriate standards for safe flight.
22. The important discussion this inquiry has raised - and which the report
addresses in its recommendations - is the extent to which the relevant Australian air
safety regulatory bodies, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian
Transport Safety Bureau (a body which incorporates the previous Bureau of Air
Safety Investigation) have responded to information that has been made available to
them regarding the problems with the BAe 146.
23. In this regard, recommendations made in a BASI Incident Report in relation
to a 1997 incident involving air quality problems on the BAe 146 were not accepted -
and accordingly not acted upon - by CASA. This is a decision with which the
Committee disagrees.
24. There have been recorded incidents, in Australia and elsewhere, involving the
BAe 146 during which air quality on the aircraft has deteriorated during a flight to the
extent that aircrew and cabin crew experienced effects such as dizziness, nausea and
disorientation.
25. As the Committee notes in its report, the BAe 146 aircraft has been operating
in many countries for some 15 years and has, according to available records, been
involved in 5 accidents in which lives were lost. None of these accidents have been
found to result from cabin air quality problems. The findings, with respect to one
accident, are yet to be finalised and published.
The BAe 146 - Issues Which Now Require Action
26. In formulating its recommendations to the Senate in this inquiry, the
Committee is acutely aware that, if the problems encountered with the BAe 146 are to
be properly addressed, that there be a sound basis for doing so.
xiv
27. Accordingly, the Committee's recommendations are made with the aim of
ensuring that appropriate assessments are made of the BAe 146 and other passenger
aircraft to ensure that proper standards of air quality are made mandatory for
Australian aircraft bearing in mind Australian operational conditions.
28. These recommendations are particularly addressed to CASA as the Australian
air safety agency and the administrator of aircraft operating regulations and standards.
29. In addition, the Committee recommends that the Commonwealth initiate a
number of responses to ensure that occupational health issues raised by this inquiry
are addressed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1
(a) The Committee recommends that CASA should reassess matters
recommended for further action by the BASI/ATSB incident report
(No. 199702276) concerning the incident on 10 July 1997 involving
Captain Kolver.
(b) The Committee also recommends that CASA reassess its
requirements for monitoring the operations and cabin and cockpit
air quality of the BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia and, where
necessary, introduce regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988
specifying:
a specific national standard for checking and monitoring the
?br>
engine seals and air quality in all passenger commercial jet
aircraft;
maintenance procedures (including specific maintenance
?br>
procedures for ageing aircraft);
specific, appropriate maintenance and operational procedures
?br>
for the BAe 146 which pay particular attention to the need to
ensure aircraft are withdrawn from operational flying and
serviced to ensure any operating faults resulting in oil leaks,
fumes or smoke are immediately repaired;
that incident reports should now be specifically designed so as
?br>
to reflect the history of the cabin air problem that has been
encountered on the BAe 146;
sources of contamination in the cabin and cockpit environment
?br>
in the BAe 146 be identified and further evaluated using
appropriate sampling and analytical technology for the
contaminants which, for example, might result from the
burning of lubricating oil used in the BAe 146 engines;
companies operating BAe 146 and other passenger commercial
?br>
jet aircraft in Australia provide CASA with specific reports on
the results of monitoring these matters within an appropriate
timeframe, whether quarterly or six-monthly, in order that
CASA can assess the operations of the aircraft; and
air quality monitoring and compulsory reporting guidelines for
?br>
all passenger jet aircraft operators.
xvi
Recommendation 2
The Committee recommends that CASA adopt the modification to aircraft air
circulation systems proposal for the BAe 146 aircraft by the aircraft's
manufacturer as compulsory for all BAe 146 operating in Australia and that this
be achieved by preparation and issue by CASA of an appropriate form of
maintenance direction under the Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Committee also recommends that registration of BAe 146 aircraft operating
in Australia be reviewed, and that renewal of Air Operating Certificates and
registration of the BAe 146 be subject to completion of those recommended
modifications as a condition for continued registration of the aircraft.
Recommendation 3
The Committee believes that development of an appropriate and accurate test for
the presence of any chemical fumes in aircraft cabins is essential. The Committee
accordingly recommends that CASA liaise with operators to develop a
standardised, compulsory monitoring program which provides for testing cabin
aircraft air during fume events.
Recommendation 4
That the issue of cabin air quality be reviewed by the National Occupational
Health and Safety Commission with a view to including aerotoxic syndrome in
appropriate codes as a matter of reference for future Workers Compensation
and other insurance cases.
Recommendation 5
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport request the
Strategic Research Development Committee of the National Health and Medical
Research Council to set up and undertake an appropriate research program on
the effect of exposure to aircraft cabin air on air crew and passengers. The
Committee also recommends that the Minister advise the Parliament on the form
and duration of, such a program as part of the Government response to this
report.
Recommendation 6
While the Committee is aware that the cases referred to are a matter of state
jurisdiction, the Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport, in co-
operation with appropriate State Ministers, appoint an experienced, retired
judicial officer or eminent person who is appropriately qualified to conduct a
review of unsuccessful or inordinately delayed employees' compensation cases,
pilots' loss of license insurance, personal income protection, and with-held
superannuation/other insurance claims made for personal injury and loss of
employment as a result of ill health claimed to result from exposure to fumes on
xvii
the BAe 146 and other aircraft. That person should be asked to report to the
Minister on any conclusions they reach and whether those cases were dealt with
according to requirements and appropriate standards of procedural fairness.
The Committee also recommends that the Minister table the conclusions and any
recommendations it makes in the Parliament.
Recommendation 7
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Employment, Workplace
Relations and Small Business, as the Minister responsible for national issues
affecting occupational health and safety authorise a review of the use of Mobil
Jet Oil II and that the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and
Assessment Scheme be requested to conduct this review.
The Committee also recommends that the potentially hazardous chemical
components of Mobil Jet Oil II be referred to NICNAS as a priority for review
and assessment.
Recommendation 8
The Committee recommends that CASA assess how quickly fitting appropriate
high-grade air filters can be made mandatory for all commercial airliners flying
in Australia to minimise any deleterious health effects arising from poor aircraft
cabin air on crew and passengers. In view of proposed standards currently under
consideration in the United States of America and elsewhere, such a system
should ideally be designed to remove at least 99% of particles 0.3 micron or
larger from recirculated cabin air.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Introduction ?the issues before the Committee
1.1 This inquiry was initiated to investigate reports that chemical fumes,
particularly containing Tricresyl phosphate (TCP), have contaminated and continue to
contaminate, cockpits and passenger cabins of the BAe 146 model aircraft operating
in Australia, affecting the capacity of pilots and cabin crew to safely operate the
aircraft.
1.2 The Committee particularly investigated whether TCP, which is a known
toxin if inhaled, and other chemicals toxic to humans, have entered, and continue to
enter BAe 146 aircraft cabin air. The impact on the health of flight crew and
passengers as a result of possible exposure to fumes in the cabin air, was also a
principal concern of the Committee's inquiry.
Current Applicable Australian Regulatory Requirements ?Flying and
Airworthiness
Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs)
1.3 The Committee initially notes that several current regulations (Civil Aviation
Regulations ?CARs) made pursuant to the Civil Aviation Act 1988 require pilots to be
in a suitable state of health for flying an aircraft and therefore acknowledges the
regulatory link between crew health and air safety. The following Civil Aviation
Regulations on crew health are considered relevant:
! CAR 2 (major defect)
.... as in relation to an aircraft, means a defect of such a kind that it may
effect the safety of the aircraft or cause the aircraft to become a danger to
person or property.
! CAR 48.0 (Flight time limitations).
1.4: Notwithstanding anything contained in these orders, a flight crew
member shall not fly, and an operator shall not require that person to fly if
either the flight crew members is suffering from, or considering the
circumstances of the particular flight to be undertaken, is likely to suffer
from fatigue or illness which may affect judgement or performance to the
extent that safety may be impaired;
2
! Civil Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) 51-1 (O) advises
(c) smoke, toxic or noxious fumes inside the aircraft is considered a major
defect.1
1.4 With regard to any relationship between cabin air quality on the BAe 146 and
air safety, the Committee is also aware of the following Federal Aviation Regulations
which are incorporated into Australian CAR's governing cabin air quality.
Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
FAR 23.831 (Ventilation and heating)
?br>
(a) Under normal operating conditions and in the event of any probable
failure conditions of any system which would adversely affect the
ventilation air, the ventilation system must be designed to provide a
sufficient amount of uncontaminated air to enable the crew members to
perform their duties without undue discomfort or fatigue and to provide
reasonable passenger comfort.
(b) Crew and passenger compartment air must be free from harmful or
hazardous concentrations of gases or vapours.
(c) There must be provisions made to ensure that the conditions prescribed
in paragraph (b) of this section are met after reasonably probable failures or
malfunctioning of the ventilating, heating, pressurisation or other systems
and equipment.2
1.5 The Committee also observes that the link between pilot health and air safety
is explicitly acknowledged by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), in a
newsletter dated November/December 1999 and titled `Fit to Fly' which counsels
pilots on the impact that minor health problems can have on their capacity to fly.3
Health and Safety Issues
1.6 In addition to crew health, and aircraft airworthiness, the issue of fume
contaminants should also be considered a safety issue with regard to the ability of
cabin crew to properly supervise the evacuation of an aircraft and the ability of
passengers to take part in an evacuation.
1 See CASA website, www.casa.gov.au, Legislation and Regulations, Civil Aviation Advisory
Publications, 51-1.
2 This regulation is an United States of America Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) applicable as an
Australian CAR under international regulatory harmonisation arrangements and, accordingly, apply to
Australian registered aircraft.
3 Flight Safety Australia, Nov-Dec 1999, pp 33-34
3
1.7 Written submissions to this inquiry considered by the Committee, both public
and confidential, provide evidence of more than 700 recorded incidents in the last 15
years where fumes have been reported to have entered the cabin and contaminating
the cabin air on BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australian airspace. This evidence was
provided by aircraft operators and by various unions and associations representing
flight crew.
1.8 While the total number of reported incidents varies, a summary of fume
reports provided by Ansett Australia and the Flight Attendants Association of
Australia shows the figure of 700 incidents to be a conservative estimate of fume
occurrences since the BAe began operating in Australia.4
1.9 Evidence was also provided of a successful application for employees
compensation in the Compensation Court of New South Wales for the aggravation of
a pre-existing illness caused to a flight attendant, Ms Alysia Chew, due to exposure to
fumes during an incident on a BAe 146.5
1.10 Several other successful applications for workers' compensation for illness
attributed to fumes on the BAe 146 have also been drawn to the Committee's
attention. Currently two civil actions are being pursued for common law damages for
illness allegedly resulting from exposure to fumes on a BAe 146.6
1.11 The Committee was informed that when this issue became a matter of general
public concern, some 140 Ansett flight crew held medical certificates exempting them
from flying on the BAe 146. Some of these crew requested exemption as a
precautionary measure and were not suffering the effects of exposure to fumes on the
aircraft. At the time of this report, Ansett has advised the Committee that nearly
80 per cent of previously exempt flight attendants have returned to flying on the
BAe 146 `without any significant issues being raised or ill effects reported'.7
1.12 The Committee received approximately 20 individual submissions describing
symptoms experienced by crew members and attributed to oil fumes leaking into the
aircraft cabin. The Committee notes that of 31 public submissions made to the inquiry,
a significant number argued that contamination of cabin air on BAe 146 aircraft was a
continuing problem warranting further action and investigation.
1.13 These submissions described in detail symptoms crew members experienced
as a result of exposure to cabin air in the aircraft. These submissions also set out how
these exposures had affected their health and the processes they followed in dealing
4 Flight attendant information kit, Ansett Australia. (Estimate of on average of 1 in every 131 flights is
affected by fume occurrences); see also submission 24, Flight Attendants' Association of Australia.
5 Alysia Chew v Eastwest Airlines and Ansett Australia Ltd, Compensation Court of New South Wales,
(Matter no 19652/1995)
6 Letter dated 22 September 2000, Ansett Australia to the Committee, supplementary material.
7 Letter dated 10 October 2000, Ansett Australia to the Committee, supplementary material.
4
with their employers concerning the health problems they experienced.8 A number of
other submissions argued there was not a continuing problem warranting further
action and investigation. The remaining submissions did not advocate the
implementation of any further action.
1.14 The Committee also received evidence from the operating airlines describing
in detail the steps taken to address the problem, including compulsory reporting
systems and extensive modifications to the BAe 146 air circulation system.
1.15 As noted, the Committee is particularly concerned to identify whether the
BAe 146 presents a link between effects on occupational health of flight crew and the
safe operation of the aircraft. This has emerged as a difficult and controversial issue.
1.16 The Committee received considerable evidence criticising aspects of the
regulatory regime for the aircraft and focusing on issues that should be taken up by
regulators, such as:
oil leaks and exposure to oil fumes;
?br>
responses to crew complaints;
?br>
testing procedures for cabin air; and
?br>
modifications measures necessary to remedy fume contamination.
?br>
1.17 The Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) told the inquiry in
evidence that:
There has been a significant exercise in semantic tap-dancing by the
regulatory authority, CASA, over whether this is a health issue or a safety
issue as though there is some need for distinction between the two. The
flight attendants on board the aircraft are on board for this reason: there is a
regulatory requirement that, to ensure the evacuation of all passengers in
under 90 seconds through half the available exits, cabin crew are required to
be there. Flight attendants are there for safety. If flight attendants are having
to be carted off aircraft in wheelchairs and placed onto oxygen during
descent, the health of these flight attendants has been affected to the extent
where the safety of the flight and of those passengers has been
compromised. Consequently, the issues of health and safety are not separate,
but are inextricably intertwined.9
1.18 However, a letter to the Committee from the Australian Transport Safety
Bureau (ATSB) responding in part to the issue of fumes in relation to neurological
impairment, set out the view of the Bureau on this issue:
8 Ms Judy Cullinane submitted a detailed submission and additional documents setting out details of her
illness and her experiences in dealing with Ansett, Submission 17, Ms Judy Cullinane; see also
Submission 10, Deborah Carter; and Confidential submissions C20 and C19.
9 FAAA, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 155
5
This is in the field of occupational medicine and should not be confused
with Aviation Safety unless there is immediate incapacitation of flight crew.
If the latter occurred, then the ATSB, and for that matter CASA, would
become involved.
Long term incapacitation as a result of exposure in the workplace is covered
by all State and Commonwealth legislation as an Occupational Health and
Safety (OH&S) issue and is appropriately addressed as such.10
1.19 Opinion is divided on this issue within the ATSB. Mr Brett Leyshon of the
ATSB supported the view of the flight attendants in relation to safety when he told the
inquiry in evidence:
The crew are not simply there to direct passengers to seats and to serve
meals. They serve an important safety function throughout the flight, even a
normal flight. Removing those removes a layer of safety to the passengers in
the cabin.11
1.20 Potential links between air safety and health effects resulting from exposure to
fumes on the BAe 146 are discussed in Chapters 4 and 5 of this report.
1.21 The Committee has had regard to those confidential submissions made during
the inquiry by individuals currently pursuing claims for compensation through
appropriate means and in the appropriate tribunals. The submissions allege exposure
to fumes on the BAe 146 to be the source of the illness and incapacity to continue
work and of damage to health, careers or both.
10 Correspondence from ATSB to the Committee dated 10 April 2000, p 1
11 ATSB, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 196
CHAPTER TWO
THE BAe 146 AND AIR QUALITY
The aircraft
2.1 The BAe 146 aircraft was originally certified in the United Kingdom in 1983
and first entered service in 1984. The BAe 146 has been certified by 37 different
national regulatory authorities, including Australia's CASA.1
2.2 According to British Aerospace, as of November 1999 there were
approximately 350 BAe 146 aircraft operated throughout the world by 52 operators.2
The `World Airline Census' from the Flight International publication shows 205 BAe
146 aircraft of all series flown, both passenger and freight, by 36 operators.3 The
Committee was also told that, as of November 1999 the BAe 146 had carried
approximately 4.5 million passengers without a single fatality "due to the technical
standard of this aircraft."4
2.3 British Aerospace told the inquiry on 10 April 2000 that the company was
... proud of the fact that after 5.2 million flight hours the 146 fleet has
never suffered a fatal accident due to technical failure, which makes it one
of the safest aircraft in operation today.5
2.4 The Committee also notes that, according to accident reports carried in the
Aviation Safety Network, as set out on their internet site, there have been four fatal
accidents involving BAe 146 aircraft since 1987 and that 156 people in total were
killed as a result of those accidents. The Committee notes British Aerospace's
evidence that there have been no fatal accidents involving the BAe 146 arising from
the `technical standard' of the aircraft.
2.5 The Committee also notes that, according to the publicly available
information on the Aviation Safety Network, one of these accidents was attributed to a
`technical problem'. A China Northwest Airlines BAe 146 300 series aircraft crashed
into an earth bank while attempting to take off from Yinchuan airport in China on 23
July 1993 killing 55 people. An investigation established that although takeoff flaps
had been selected on the aircraft for takeoff they did not extend resulting in the
aircraft crashing.6
1 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 73
2 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, pp 73-74
3 `World Airliner Census', Flight International, 29 August ?4 September 2000, p 60
4 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 74
5 British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 222
6 See www.aviation-safety.net - Aircraft Accident description, 23 July 1993, BAe 146 300
8
2.6 An accident in 1998, which occurred in Morocco in which all 38 passengers
and crew on board died, is still the subject of investigation by air safety authorities in
Morocco.7
Aircraft configuration
2.7 The BAe 146 aircraft has four wing mounted engines manufactured by the
Arizona based company Allied Signal Aerospace. The engines used in Australia are
the Avro Lycoming, ALF-502 with 18 aircraft using the ALF-507. The Australian
Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) told the Committee that the engine type was initially
developed for use in military heavy lift helicopters. The engine was redesigned for
"high by pass" use and was subsequently fitted to the BAe 146.8
Number of BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia
2.8 `Airliner Census' quoted in paragraph 2.2 notes that as of September 2000
there are 31 BAe 146 aircraft operating with the following airlines in Australia:
Operator Aircraft Series No
100 5
Airlink
200 6
300 2
100 1
National Jet
Systems
100 1
Southern
200 3
Australia
200 7
Ansett
300 3
200QT 2
Ansett Australia
Cargo
300 8
Ansett New
Zealand
100QT 1
Australian Air
300QT 2
Express
9
2.9 Ansett told the Committee that as of 2 November 1999 it had four 300 series
passenger jets operating predominantly in the eastern part of Australia, and seven 200
series aircraft providing the airline's intrastate service in Western Australia. Ansett
noted in its evidence that the BAe 146 is the only aircraft type in Australia suitable for
servicing its air routes in north-west Australia.10
7 See www.aviation-safety.net - Aircraft Accident description 25 September 1998, B, BAe 146 100
8 Submission 14A, AFAP, p. 2; see also Submission 14B, AFAP, pp 23-24
9 `World Airliner Census', Flight International, 29 August ?4 September 2000, p 60
10 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 62
9
2.10 During the inquiry the number of BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia
changed. On each occasion that Ansett, Qantas or National Jet Systems appeared at
public hearings the Committee was brought up to date with the current number of BAe
146s then being operated in Australia.11
2.11 The BAe 146 is configured in Australia to carry about 70 passengers with a
normal air crew of five; two pilots and three flight attendants.
2.12 In November 1999 Ansett Australia told the Committee that of its 900 pilots,
165 were regularly flying BAe 146 aircraft.12
Source of air in the BAe 146 cabin
2.13 The Committee was given a detailed account by AFAP of the air source and
circulation system employed on jet passenger aircraft. A concise description is as
follows:
The engine comprises a fan module, a high-pressure compressor, a
combustion chamber and a turbine section. High pressure compressed bleed
air is ducted from the rear of the final stage of the high pressure compressor,
and is used to pressurise the cabin and to provide aircraft air conditioning
(heating) and engine pneumatics. Thus the engine air is used to provide in
flight air, pressurisation and air driven systems.13
2.14 The Committee was also provided with a detailed description of how the
system used to bring air into the BAe 146 from the engines operated:
The bleed air is air that has been passed from the engine air intake through
the engine compressor and then bypasses the engine combustion chamber as
it is bled off through the engine pylons. It is then diverted to various systems
as well as ducted downstream through the environmental control system to
the cabin and flight deck.
As the air is ducted to the rear of the aircraft, it enters 2 air conditioning
packs. The air conditioning packs are fed independently from the left or
right engines and do not interconnect. One air conditioning pack can supply
cabin air and pressurisation requirements for the whole aircraft. One engine
per side can feed its related air conditioning pack.
The engines on the left wing (engines 1 & 2) service air con pack 1, which
provides air to the flight deck and passenger cabin. Engines 3 & 4 on the
right wing supply pack 2, which supplies air to the cabin.
11 For example see Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 242
12 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 61
13 Submission 14A, AFAP, p 2
10
The Auxiliary Power unit (APU) in the BAe 146 is either an Allied Signal
Garrett or Sundstrand unit. The APU is a small turbine engine that supplies
air and/or electrical power when the aircraft is on the ground and for certain
periods of flight, such as take off or landing, when air cannot be spared from
the main aircraft engines. 14
2.15 The BAe 146 is designed to operate with the air conditioning system re-
circulating a proportion of cabin air. It is generally considered that re-circulated air
improves humidity levels in the aircraft cabin and cockpit and is a feature designed to
reduce symptoms of watering eyes as well as nasal and throat dryness caused by dry
air.15
2.16 The Committee was told that the cabin air of the BAe 146 is changed in under
four minutes, 16 times an hour.16 This air is approximately 60 per cent fresh and 40
per cent recycled.
2.17 Currently the only way of bringing air into a jet aircraft during flight is to
bleed air off the engines.17 British Aerospace explained:
... the engine is the only source of high pressure, high temperature air on
this or any other jet aircraft in the world today. It is the source used by every
aircraft manufacturer today. The fact that air is removed before the air
comes around and into the combustion process means that there are
absolutely no combustion products in the air. ...
This air from the engine is fed to the rear of the aircraft. It is then
conditioned in air conditioning packs to reduce the pressure, reduce the
temperature and it is then fed into the cabin. ...
The cockpit has a similar arrangement: the air comes in through the pipes, is
fed into the cockpit and the only difference is that the amount of air supplied
is twice that per passenger.
So we feed twice the amount of air - ten cubic feet per minute - to the pilots.
We feed five cubic feet per minute to the passengers. Those are the
regulatory requirements. All of the air comes from exactly the same place -
the engine compressor.18
2.18 The Committee also notes advice that there are no combustion products in air
circulated in the cabin, as air is bled from the engines before the combustion process
takes place. However, as British Aerospace acknowledged:
14 Submission 14B, AFAP, p 3; see also Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 4.
15 Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 2
16 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 67
17 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p. 65
18 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 75
11
... reports of cabin air odours have been received from time and time and
have predominantly been determined to be due to minor systems failures
such as leaks from oil seals on aircraft engines on APU.19
2.19 Dr Chris van Netten, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of
British Columbia in Canada drew the Committee's attention to another aspect of the
BAe 146 design during his evidence to the inquiry:
... the flight attendants and the passengers are serviced by air coming from
engines 3 and 4, whereas the pilots are serviced from engines 1 and 2, ...
The pilots get air from engines 1 and 2 under normal conditions ... as soon
as you get an oil seal leak in engine 1 or 2 then the pilots get higher
exposure than anybody else because they get more fresh air.20
2.20 The possibility of developing alternatives to the existing system of bringing
bleed air into the cabin from the jet engines was raised several times during this
inquiry. In response to such a suggestion Mr Ivor Williams, Chief Systems Engineer
with British Aerospace, commented:
The technology of today really means that to get a compressor to drive all
that air into the aircraft there really need to be some bearings and some oil.
To me, as an engineer, it does not matter much whether it is a separate
compressor driven by an electrical motor or a compressor driven by an
engine. It will come to the same thing in the end, because it will have oil and
bearings in it and they will be subject to failure. Indeed, aeroplanes have
been like that for a long while. There might come a day when you can
develop a compressor that does not need oil - maybe some air bearings or
something of that kind. But I suspect that engines will be that way as well.21
Domestic and international laws and standards for the quality of air in aircraft
2.21 Australia has adopted design standards and requirements for all aircraft which
are certified to operate in Australian airspace. As noted above, these include United
States Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) (section 25) and joint European Aviation
Regulations (section 25). Both standards have requirements dealing with cabin
ventilation and contamination in an aircraft. FAR 25.831 requires:
(a) Under normal operating conditions and in the event of any probable
failure conditions of any system which would adversely affect the
ventilating air, the ventilation system must be designed to provide a
sufficient amount of uncontaminated air to enable the crewmembers to
perform their duties without undue discomfort or fatigue and to provide
reasonable passenger comfort....
19 Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 127 (vol 1)
20 Associate Professor C. van Netten, Evidence, 14 March 2000, p 206
21 British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 227
12
(b) Crew and passenger compartment air must be free from harmful or
hazardous concentrations of gases or vapours. ...
(c) There must be provisions made to ensure that the conditions described in
para B. .. are met after reasonably probable failure or malfunctioning of the
ventilating, heating, pressurisation or other systems and equipment.
2.22 CASA confirmed to the Committee:
Perhaps an important section is a statement under section 25.831 of FAR 25,
which says that: `Crew and passenger compartment air must be free from
harmful or hazardous concentrations of gasses and vapours.' That is the only
statement that is in there at present. What constitutes `harmful' or
`hazardous' is left up to other standards, and generally they are getting into
the health standards.22
2.23 In contrast, the Committee received evidence from the AFAP as a
supplementary submission highlighting the requirements in paragraphs (a) to (c) of the
regulation, and stated "... large number of crews are not getting `a sufficient amount
of uncontaminated air to enable crewmembers to perform their duties without undue
discomfort and fatigue".23
2.24 The Committee was also advised that the American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) United States' body
specialising in assessing and recommending air quality standards in air conditioned
and ventilated environments, has formed a specific Sub-committee to examine the
issue of air quality on commercial aircraft. The eventual recommendations from
ASHRAE may lead to the introduction of changes to standards in relation to aircraft
air quality.24 ASHRAE is:
... developing a standard to ensure cabin air quality 1) is safe for flight and
occupants; 2) minimizes the potential for adverse health effects; and 3) is
comfortable to occupants.25
2.25 At this stage, the Committee assumes that any improvement in air quality
requirements will be in addition to ventilation requirements. The AFAP's view
however is that such a change may not be an adequate response:
22 CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 38; see also Associate Professor C. van Netten, Evidence,
14 March 2000, pp 213-214. For further information on the issue of carbon dioxide in the cabins of plans
see Submission 5A, Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, attachment pp. 5-7.
23 Submission 14B, AFAP, p 3
24 Jolanda N. Janczewski, IAQ on Passenger Planes, ASHRAE Journal, September 1999, p 18. For
information on why Ansett withdrew from being part of this study see Senate Hansard, 25 August 1999,
p 7723.
25 W. Mark Pierce and others, Air Quality On Commercial Aircraft, ASHRAE Journal, September 1999,
p 26.
13
It is ... inappropriate to look to future general air quality standards when
dealing with a specific aircraft problem, such as that of the BAe 146. This
will not solve the BAe 146 problem and it is inappropriate for the
manufacturer and others to mislead the committee by stating that ASHRAE
proposals will solve the specific BAe 146 problem.26
BAe 146 cabin air quality problems in Australia
Australian Experience
2.26 There have been reports of cabin air fumes on board Australian BAe 146
aircraft since at least 1985. In 1982 the United States Federal Aviation Authority and
National Transport Safety Bureau conducted tests on the BAe 146. Ansett told the
Committee its initial reported fume occurrence was in 1991, when an East West
Airlines crew first reported odours on the BAe 146 series 300 aircraft. East West
Airlines later became part of Ansett Australia.27
2.27 The ATSB told the Committee that between 1991 and 1 November 1999,
when the Bureau gave evidence, 93 occurrences of fumes in aircraft had been
reported.
2.28 These occurrences:
... all fall into the general description of smoke, fumes or fire within the
cabin or cockpit of an aircraft from whatever source. Those occurrences
could be a simple as the spillage of food in a galley causing a fire to failure
of an electronic components causing fumes to this particular occurrence -
that is, the ingress of fumes from a failed seal within an engine - to multiple
reports of `nothing found' on investigation by the operator.28
2.29 The ATSB's only substantial investigation of fumes leaking into the cabin of
a BAe 146 arose from an incident where the pilot of a National Jet Systems freight
plane became incapacitated after being exposed to fumes in the cockpit while
descending into Melbourne Airport in 1997. The ATSB which was then the Bureau of
Air Safety (BASI) conducted an extensive inquiry of events of a similar nature and
reported that the incidents were "far from rare".29
2.30
26 Submission 14B, AFAP, p 5
27 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 52
28 ATBS, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 25
29 Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, Occurrence Brief 199702276, p 5
14
2.31 The BASI report also drew specific attention to the potential for further BAe
146 flight crew incapacitation due to the effects of fumes and found that the issue
constituted a safety deficiency.30 This BASI occurrence report is considered in more
detail later in the report.
2.32 The Committee also received evidence concerning crew reluctance to report
fumes incidents. The reported reasons for this reluctance ranged from a fear for future
employment, fear for the continued operation of the aircraft and an apparent lack of
awareness as to the source of the problem and possible impact on health.31
2.33 The ATSB supplied the inquiry with a summary of reports of fumes and
smells on aircraft between 1991 and October 1999, which also shows the type of
aircraft involved in the reports. (This summary is shown in Appendix 3.)
2.34 The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia, listed a detailed record of
reported fumes experienced on board BAe 146 aircraft between 5 August 1992 and
27 August 1999 in its submission to the inquiry. The FAAA also highlighted the effect
of the occurrences on air crew. Some of these fume occurrences have had an
immediate impact on the health of some air crew. (A listing of the reports is set out in
Appendix 4.)32
2.35 The Committee received evidence from one medical professional, Dr Mark
Donohoe, that he was "... unaware of any new health problems or new patients since
December 1998".
2.36 Mr Michael Egan of the Ansett Pilots Association told the inquiry during a
public hearing on 2 February 2000:
... in preparation for this inquiry, I made some inquiries, and I particularly
took the trouble to speak to captains on the 146 who have been in the
company or been operating the 146 for a long time. That was where I heard
the story of guys who had been sick, of the chaps being nauseous, and with
eye and throat irritation. They were all quite positive about the fact that
these appeared to them to be past problems - and quite significantly past
problems - in Ansett aircraft; that these problems happened in the early
nineties.33
The Committee notes that Mr Egan appeared unaware of the requirements of
FAR 25.831. Mr Egan told the inquiry: "... there is no regulation that I am aware of
that specifies the amount of, or quality of, air in the cabin."34
30 Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, Occurrence Brief 199702276, p 6
31 See examples in Submission 14A, AFAP and Submission 24, FAAA.
32 See also Submission 14B, AFAP, pp 16-17.
33 Ansett Pilots Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 167
34 Ansett Pilots Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000
15
2.37 The Committee received evidence of continuing health problems since
December 1998 experienced by flight crew allegedly exposed to fumes both prior to
and after completion of the modification programs.35
2.38 In addition, the Committee has received submissions from several flight
attendants employed by Ansett and seven pilots employed by a number of operators
reporting health effects from fume contamination.36 This number appears additional to
a first officer mentioned by Dr David Lewis of Ansett Australia.37
International experience
2.39 Dr Jean Christophe Balouet in his submission noted:
It is estimated that about 70 major smoke/haze events, no fire but cabin air
contamination by aircraft fluid leaks, occur world wide annually (with 25 to
30 for the commercial aviation in the USA) and that the number of severe
fume events is over 500 annually (40 000 passengers and crew). Alaska
airlines have filed over 1000 complaint flights in the past ten years. In
Canada, over 600 complaint reports have been filed for the past 5 years.
Over 30 legal cases are censused [sic] world wide.
Some aircraft types, especially BAe 146, MD 80, B 737, A 300, and a
limited number of companies (ANSETT/NJS, Alaska Airlines, Air BC,
Canadian operating these aircraft) have been the cause of over 90 % of the
world wide problems identified today, whereas they represent less than 3%
of world flights. ...
Ansett NJS and BAe 146 are statistically the highest ranking for cabin air
problems, before Alaska.38
2.40 In evidence to the inquiry Dr Balouet said:
If you have at Ansett and NJS one leak in every 160 aircraft flights, that is
probably one of the poorest statistics around the world. In 1992 the statistics
for Ansett was one flight with an odour every 66 flights, and one flight
leaking for every 160 flights. ... Eight hundred reports in eight years time is
basically 100 reports per year. Alaskan Airlines, which is another company
with a high number of very significant problems has a fleet which is about
three times the size of Ansett plus NJS and they only have 100 reports per
year.
... statistically it certainly is Ansett that ranks first.39
35 Submission 24A, FAAA
36 Ansett Pilots' Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 168
37 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, pp 67-68
38 Submission 5, Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, p 2. Information on the experience of Alaskan Airlines and
other US airlines was contained in a paper dealing with air quality on airlines by C. Witkowski at the
ASHRAE Conference, Chicago, 24 January 1999, set out in Confidential submission C14.
16
2.41 The ATSB responded to the claims made by Dr Balouet by noting :
If, as Dr Balouet asserts, Ansett and National Jet Systems are the
statistically highest ranking for cabin air problems, that evidence has not
been provided to the ATSB. Airlines have every right to conduct their own
reporting and investigation program and under this program Dr Balouet's
statement may be correct. However the ATSB is only concerned with
immediate safety of flight issues. Longer term exposure is an OH&S issue
... 40
2.42 Mr Mick Toller, the Director of CASA, informed the Committee that from
late 1997 to the first half of 1998, the Authority closely monitored reports of fumes on
the BAe 146. CASA liaised with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) concerning
this issue. The UK CAA carries responsibility for certification of the BAe 146, as it is
a British built aircraft. Mr Toller told the Committee that; "While anecdotal reports
have been passed on to me, I have not received any specific or substantiated reports of
crew member sickness from any other airworthiness authorities."41
2.43 The Committee notes from media reports reported fume contamination on
aircraft in the United Kingdom and a serious fume contamination incident on a BAe
146 in Sweden on 12 November 1999, which occurred during a flight between
Bromma and Sturup. The Committee also notes reports of fume contamination
incidents in Canada and the United States.42
2.44 Mr Toller also advised the Committee that as of 1 November 1999, although
approximately 15 per cent of the world's fleet of BAe 146s operated in Australia, it
appeared this was the only country where there had been a report of a pilot being
incapacitated due to fumes while flying the aircraft.43
2.45 CASA also stated that the "... aircraft has a reputation for poor air quality and
smells within the passenger cabin."44 In evidence to the inquiry (13 March 2000)
Mr Toller advised:
There is no doubt that all aircraft from time to time suffer fumes within the
aircraft. I think we have accurately reflected that that is a feature of the basic
design of airconditioning systems in aircraft, being bleed air from engines,
and that on occasions engines leak. I think it is safe to say, by reputation,
39 Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 177
40 Correspondence from ATSB to the Committee dated 10 April 2000, p 2.
41 CASA, Evidence, November 1999, pp 42-43. The term crew member here refers to the pilot or co-pilot.
42 See articles that appeared in Swedish newspapers following the incident.
43 CASA, Evidence, November 1999, pp 42-43; see also correspondence from ATSB to the Secretariat
dated 10 April 2000.
44 Submission 20, CASA, p 3
17
that the 146 engines historically have not been the best of the engines for
that. They certainly do seem to suffer more oil leaks than others.45
2.46 The Committee received evidence that, apart from the incident involving
Captain Kolver, four other Australian BAe 146 pilots have been affected by fumes in
the course of a flight.46 The November 1999 incident involving he flight between
Bromma and Malmo is currently under investigation by the Swedish Board of
Accident Investigation.
2.47 Despite the views of CASA, British Aerospace asserted:
The BAe 146 is no different in design or to frequency of oil leaks than any
other aircraft. ... There was an oil leak problem in the BAe 146 in 1991-92
and that reputation persists today despite the fact that modifications have
been in produced to engines and auxiliary power units which have reduced
the frequency of oil leaks to an industry standard level.47
2.48 Mr Black, Senior Vice President, Engineering Customer Support and Quality
at British Aerospace (UK) in his evidence referred to Professor Balouet's submission
when he stated:
The Balouet report, ... identifies 500 fume events worldwide. If that 500
worldwide relates to the 93 that are recognised in Australia that does not
seem unreasonable. In there, Balouet says that Alaskan Airlines have
registered 1,000 complaints, that Canadian Airlines have registered 600
complaints and that, to his knowledge, there are 30 legal cases worldwide
pending on this subject. But on the 146, to my knowledge, there are no cases
pending and no cases ongoing. ... Again, if I refer to the BASI statistics,
only 12 out of their 93 were 146 related. 48
2.49 In his evidence Mr Black appeared to agree that some crew members had
been affected by flying on the BAe 146 but in the view of Mr Black those effects did
not pose a threat to air safety:
With the weight of human evidence and suffering, which is quite clear, there
must be something there. We are comfortable on the one hand that there is
no flight safety risk. We are comfortable that our aircraft meet all of the
rules. But, when you look at the weight of evidence, it is impossible to
conclude that there is an issue....
45 CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 181
46 See Submission 16, Mrs Robin May; Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000.
47 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 77. For a contrary view see Submission 24A, FAAA,
p 1.
48 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 81
18
But all of the evidence we have to date suggests that our aircraft does not
leak any more than any other aircraft and does not produce harmful
chemicals in the cabin. We know there is a health issue and we will continue
to work with ASHRAE and with ASTM in order to determine what that is.49
2.50 Such assertions appear to ignore statistical evidence on the BAe 146 issue
given to this Committee. As noted in Chapter 1, the operators acknowledge hundreds
of reports of fume contamination on the BAe in Australia in recent years which
continue to be identified by compulsory reporting systems.50 The Committee received
evidence that Ansett has, in addition to the above occasions, recorded reported fume
occurrences of 1 per 131 flights. This appears to average one incident of fume
contamination on an Ansett flight per week.
2.51 Mr Black also gave apparently contradictory evidence regarding the issue of
the impact of fumes on BAe 146 aircraft passengers and crew. In a written
supplementary submission, British Aerospace sought to clarify Mr Black's comments.
The submission stated:
The point that Mr Black was seeking to make was simply that, given the
evidence of symptoms said to have been suffered worldwide by crew of a
range of aircraft types (not just the BAe 146), it is difficult to deny the
existence worldwide of some form of general health issue ... 51
and
None of the test results or other data gathered to date has (to BAe's
knowledge) produced any evidence of a connection between any such
general health issue and the BAe 146 (or indeed the aircraft industry
generally).52
2.52 Mr Bruce Jones of British Aerospace also told the Committee:
During the evidence of earlier witnesses to this inquiry there were
suggestions that BAe Systems accept that there are short-term health risks
associated with the aircraft. We have not, in fact, accepted this. The aircraft
test data available does not support such a conclusion and, indeed, points the
other way. We therefore cannot accept this proposition. While we have no
direct information on the clinical nature or cause of any individual
symptoms, we are very much alive to the fact that there are reports of
symptoms being suffered worldwide by crew of a range of aircraft types, not
just the BAe 146.53
and
49 British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 90
50 Flight attendant information kit 5/2000, Ansett Australia. (Estimate of, on average, 1 in every 131 flights
is affected by fume occurrences); see also Submission 24, Flight Attendants' Association of Australia.
51 Submission 11C, British Aerospace (dated 9 December 1999) covering letter.
52 Submission 11C, British Aerospace (dated 9 December 1999) covering letter.
53 British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 223
19
... the BAe 146 does comply with all applicable Australian airworthiness
standards relevant to the cabin air issue. Also, this has been questioned in
the evidence of a number of witnesses. We can assure you that the aircraft
does fully comply and no dispensations or exemptions have been granted by
the Australian authorities in this regard. It should not be overlooked that this
aircraft is certificated not only in Australia but also in 36 other countries,
including the UK and the US. Each of those countries applies exactly the
same standards to matters relating to cabin air as does Australia. Over 50
different carriers operate approximately 350 aircraft of this family around
the world.54
2.53 Notwithstanding, this advice, the Committee remains concerned regarding the
issue of cabin air quality, and accordingly in Chapter 6 recommends a proposed
research program to establish whether there is any link between health problems and
flying in the BAe 146 and other aircraft.
Ansett Australia's approach
2.54 Ansett Australia advised the Committee that:
... at its worst in 1992, an odour report was generated on only 1.5 per cent
of all Ansett BAe 146 flights. Today that figure is much lower, even with
our compulsory reporting system ...55
In 1992 engineering log reports showed an odour was reported once in every
66 flights. In the first half of this year, by contrast, engineering log reports
recorded one odour occurrence in every 160 flights. Or, if we count only
those events that cabin crew judged worth reporting, that figure is one report
in every 460 flights. 56
2.55 Captain Trevor Jensen, Executive General Manager Operations and Inflight
Services with Ansett told the inquiry:
In 1998 engineering odour reports were reduced to 0.7 per cent of flights.
We had also introduced a cabin reporting system which yielded an odour
report in less than one-half of one per cent of all BAe 146 flights. In the first
half of the year, that figure has dropped again to an odour report of just 0.2
per cent of all flights for 1999.57
2.56 In a letter to the Committee dated 28 January 2000 Ansett advised that:
... 209 employees report some symptoms while crewing the BAe 146. Not
all of these reports have been in relation to the occurrence of odours. Some
54 British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 220
55 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 52
56 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 55
57 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 55
20
have occurred despite no smell and some may been due to other factors.
Nearly all of the reported symptoms were minor irritant effects only.
There have been 29 Workers Compensation claims lodged with the
company since 1985 (of which 13 have been accepted, 5 denied, 4 accepted
'without prejudice', 7 pending and 3 employees have resigned "on medical
grounds").
Two staff have taken legal action against Ansett in relation to alleged ill
health from exposure to fumes on the BAe l46. One case was settled in
Sydney this year and there is one case pending in WA.58
Incidence of Ansett fume reports
2.57 Ansett Australia during the inquiry stressed that the reason it appears to have
so many reports of fumes on its BAe 146 aircraft, compared to other airlines in
Australia and overseas, is that:
... we have made reporting odours compulsory to ensure we are fully aware
of the extent of the issue and can take action on accurate and factual data.
Unfortunately, that policy has exposed us to claims, which cannot be proven
or substantiated, that the problem is more prevalent at Ansett than anywhere
else.59
2.58 Captain Jensen of Ansett told the inquiry on 1 May 2000 that:
Ansett is the only airline in the world that has made reporting odours
compulsory. As neither Ansett nor any other operator in our knowledge
actively solicits odour reports on any other aircraft type we suggest the
inquiry exercise caution in the interpretation of incident data.60
2.59 To date Ansett's advice is that the only workers compensation claims to be
settled resulted from acknowledgment of short-term employee illness. The Committee
understands this result accords with a consensus statement produced by the panel of
medical experts appointed by Ansett to investigate this issue. However this issue
needs further examination.
2.60 The Committee notes the action taken by Ansett concerning this issue and
notes that such action has ensured that Ansett is clearly accountable for its program.
The Committee also notes Ansett's cooperation with this inquiry on this issue. Other
airlines, it should be noted, do have a `no blame' compulsory reporting of fume
problems, and similar modification programs, yet have not been subject to the same
level of scrutiny.
58 Correspondence from Ansett to the inquiry dated 28 January 2000.
59 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 55
60 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 243, see also Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 257.
21
2.61 The Committee notes Ansett's claim to be a world leader in rectifying the
BAe 146 problem is apparently accurate and that Ansett has been subjected to a high
level of scrutiny as a result.
2.62 The Committee also notes recent submissions from Ansett air crew about the
unsatisfactory performance of the company and the August 1998 cancellation of the
company's `Odour inquiry Committee', despite the odour issue remaining
unresolved.61 The Committee also notes with concern that Ansett has recently
withdrawn medical exemptions for crew who do not wish to work on the BAe.
2.63 As noted in Chapter 1, the Committee is aware there are current claims for
compensation arising from alleged fume exposure. One such case involves an Ansett
air crew member, Judy Cullinane, who alleges her claim for damages for illness which
is currently being litigated in Western Australia.
Reluctance to report incidents
2.64 It was submitted during this inquiry that there has been a major level of failure
to report incidents involved with fumes on all Australian aircraft, including the BAe
146. The AFAP claimed that air crew:
... are reluctant to identify the extent of odour incidents for a number of
reasons, including fear that if identified with this issue it could effect legal
operations of the aircraft as well as crew ability to fly according to the Civil
Aviation Regulations.
Crews are aware of the ongoing nature of this issue, and know that the
technical problems have been unable to be fixed to date, and have obvious
concerns for their own career, income etc. 62
Pilots have in evidence to the Committee63 asserted that there is a problem of
2.65
`under-reporting' of fume incidents. This is attributed to:
lack of awareness of the source and effect of fumes until recent publicity
?br>
associated with the Senate Inquiry and overseas developments;
lack of faith that operators will treat complaints seriously;
?br>
concerns that workers' compensation claims would be unsuccessful; and
?br>
a desire to protect crews' jobs.
?br>
61 See Submission 24, FAAA and Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 2000.
62 Submission 14A, AFAP, p 6; see also Submission 16, Mrs Robin May, p 1. NJS in a supplementary
submission to the inquiry detailed how confidential reports of fume incidents can be submitted to both
the company and the ATSB, Submission 23A, NJS, p 1-2. This issue was further discussed by Captain
Siebert during a public hearing held on 10 April 2000, NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, pp 207-208.
During the public hearing on 10 April 2000 NJS attacked the credibility of AFAP in its criticism of NJS
made during the inquiry, see NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, pp 210-211.
63 Confidential submissions and AFAP
22
2.66 For example, one confidential submission to the inquiry argued that the
attitude of Workcover authorities and airlines to the effect of fumes on aircrew while
flying "... will ensure that virtually no pilot will come forward to report aircraft fume
incidents or associated health problems and therefore probably allowing a safety
hazard to occur."64
2.67 Mr Clive Phillips, a former employee of the Bureau of Air Safety
Investigation, now incorporated in the ATSB, told the inquiry that:
I asked around on the Internet and through airline and union connections if
anybody who had any concerns about the fumes, oil mist and fog, as it was
determined that it was in aircraft, could please contact me. I was quite
overwhelmed by the number of people who did. I was also overwhelmed by
the number who wished to remain totally anonymous and did not want their
names and phone numbers put on any files. There definitely seemed to be a
reluctance to formally report these incidents ...65
2.68 However, in contrast to this view, National Jet Systems Pty Ltd (NJS) claimed
in April 2000 it had received very few approaches concerning the issue of air quality
on board its BAe 146 aircraft:
... we have never had an approach by the FAAA, the AFAP, our own pilots'
body or any group of employees within our company about this issue (fumes
on the BAe 146). The reports that we have had on this issue have all come
through our safety reporting system. ...
... we have never, in a nine-year history, had technical matters raised by the
AFAP with National Jet. ...
... the National Jet Systems Pilot Group ... have not raised cabin air quality
with National Jet Systems.66
2.69 The Committee is particularly concerned that some serious fume events are
not reported even though it is clear from applicable aviation regulations, CASA
publications and operators' internal manuals that such occurrences should be reported.
2.70 The `no blame' anonymous reporting system used by operators, as well as the
Ansett reporting system, means there should be a consequential improvement in
reporting of future incidents.
64 Confidential submission 18A, p 2
65 Mr Clive Phillips, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 123
66 NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 216
23
Attitude of airlines to staff suffering reactions to fumes
2.71 Associate Professor Chris Winder of the University of New South Wales was
critical of the attitude of airlines to staff who experience illnesses related to exposure
to fumes on the BAe 146. According to Dr Winder:
The response of the airlines to staff showing symptoms of toxicity has
shown a lack of understanding of duty of care to employees. Information
issued to staff on the issue has attempted to minimise the problem using the
language of public relations. The basic approach to injured staff appears to
be adversarial. Staff have been bullied and have been victimised. ...
Workers have been forced to persevere working in conditions that continue
to aggravate their health, in some cases to permanent incapacity. Other staff
have been offered demeaning duties, and genuine attempts at rehabilitation
have been lacking.67
2.72 In response to this comment, Captain John Siebert, Group General Manager,
Aircraft Safety and Regulation with NJS, denied claims by Dr Winder that "staff have
been bullied and have been victimised"68 Captain Siebert asserted that these claims
were "clearly untrue":
Professor Winder's statement that staff are being bullied and victimised is
quite unfounded. ... As an aside, Mr (Lawrie) Cox (of AFAP) commented
that there had been unfair pressure on some pilots who are members of his
industrial organisation who have gone sick during mid-tour of duty. This is
completely unfounded; I have checked on that. We have actually had two
cases of pilots going sick without a clear explanation, and they were
investigated by a flight operations manager. There was certainly no
commercial pressure, or any other sort of pressure, applied to those two
instances. 69
2.73 A further example of conflicting information concerning treatment of staff
became evident during the Committee's public hearing on 10 April 2000. NJS noted
that a former NJS pilot who had been retired from the airline as "not fit to fly" due to
a heart condition, later alleged in her written submission to the Committee that, in
fact, she had been forced to stop flying due to the effects of exposure to cabin air on a
BAe 146.70
2.74 In refuting this allegation, NJS told the Committee:
... We had a first officer become ill with severe chest pains in September
1994. They were investigated and after a period of time there was no
67 Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 6
68 NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 133
69 NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, pp 133-134. For information on the reporting system used by NJS see
NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, pp 137-138.
70 Submission 16, Mrs Robin May, p 1
24
pathological evidence as to why this lady had chest pains. However, it
deteriorated into imbalanced and blurred vision and subsequently she was
denied an air crew medical. In other words, CASA decided she was not fit to
fly. She was then paid out on an insurance claim because of pericardium. In
other words, she had inflammation of the pericardial tissue of the heart.
So it was a great surprise to us when subsequently we read that this
particular person was claiming that she had been poisoned by burnt
hydraulic fumes, as she listed in her application to the inquiry, because,
never in the period from 8 September 1994 up until her payout on 28
February 1996, was the matter of air quality raised.71
2.75 In her submission this pilot claimed to have been forced to retire prematurely
from flying due to an "unexplained medical condition now linked with fumes on the
BAe". The former pilot also claimed to have suffered deteriorating health since being
exposed to "burnt hydraulic oil" fumes while crewing the BAe 146.72
2.76 The Committee finally notes that, in her submission, the pilot stated that she
and her doctor had been unable to fully appreciate the source of the health condition
she suffered until becoming aware through the media of the Committee's inquiry.73
Exemptions for flight crew not to work on BAe 146 aircraft
2.77 Ansett told the inquiry it had made efforts to meet the concerns of its staff in
relation to the BAe 146:
When collection and analysis of data was being completed, Ansett granted
exemptions for crew crewing the BAe 146 to a number of flight attendants
in recognition of their concerns for their health. There are currently 119
flight attendants who have been granted such an exemption, 40 of whom are
pregnant and 11 of whom are attempting to conceive. While no evidence
suggested BAe 146 cabin air presented a risk to them, or their unborn
children, exemptions were granted in recognition of their concerns.
Of those who have been granted an exemption, medical certificates have
been accepted without challenge. ... On no occasion has an issuing doctor
sought any information from Ansett Australia before providing a certificate
attesting to a flight attendant's inability to crew a BAe 146. In the light of
the documented evidence verifying that there are no long-term health effects
associated with the BAe 146 cabin air, a graduated fully supported return to
work program is now being prepared. 74
71 NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 215
72 Submission 16, Ms Robin May
73 Submission 16, Ms Robin May
74 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 56; see also Submission 24, FAAA, pp 3, 9.
25
2.78 In a letter to the Committee dated 11 February 2000 Captain Jensen advised
that:
Ansett Australia is fully satisfied that there are no long-term health effects
associated with BAel46 cabin air. Aircraft modifications have now
improved the working environment to such an extent that there should no
longer be any distinction drawn between the BAel46 and other aircraft types
in terms of crewing.
.... it is Ansett's intention to cease its special exemptions for BAel46 flight
crews and to commence a graduated and fully supported return to work
program for staff currently exempted from flying on the BAel46 aircraft. Of
course, all occupational, medical and workplace health and safety support, -
including access to workers' compensation schemes, will continue
unchanged.75
2.79 An attachment to Captain Jensen's letter stated:
A large number of Flight Attendants have taken advantage of Ansett's
liberal policy of granting exemptions from crewing the BAe l46 without
having to go through any workers' compensation system. While collection
and analysis of data was still being completed, Ansett granted exemptions to
a number of Flight Attendants in recognition of their concerns for their
health- ...
Around half of the exemptions were granted upon receipt of a medical
certificate citing a Flight Attendant's inability to crew a BAe l46. These
certificates are, in some cases, up to two years old and have not been
reissued. On no occasion has an issuing doctor sought any information from
Ansett Australia before providing a certificate.
The remaining exemptions were granted to Flight Attendants who were
pregnant or attempting to conceive. Again, while no evidence suggested
BAe l46 cabin air presented a risk to them or their unborn children,
exemptions were granted purely in recognition of their concerns.
These exemptions relate to the BAe l46 only and the Flight Attendants
involved remain on duty on all other aircraft types. Only two of Ansett's
2,000 Flight Attendants claim they are unable, for medical reasons, to crew
any aircraft. 76
2.80 In further evidence to the inquiry Captain Jensen advised:
Whilst we were going through the process of collecting and analysing data
we exempted a number of individuals from crewing the BAe146 in
recognition of concerns that they had for their health. These exemptions
75 Correspondence from Captain Jensen, Ansett Australia to the Secretariat dated 11 February 2000, p 2.
76 Correspondence from Captain Jensen, Ansett Australia to the Secretariat dated 11 February 2000,
attachment pp 2-3.
26
were granted, although there was no evidence of pathology or disease.
Again, as far as I am aware, Ansett is the only airline to have done this. ...
We are moving to cease the special exemption applying to the BAe146 and
to commence a graduated and fully supported return to work program. Of
course, all occupational, medical and workplace health and safety support,
including access to workers compensation schemes, will continue
unchanged.77
2.81 However, in view of evidence considered by the Committee, including Ansett
flight attendants, the Committee remains concerned at health problems allegedly
occurring as a result of exposure to fumes on BAe 146, particularly as the majority of
this group have medical evidence to support their claims.78
2.82 At a public hearing on 1 February 2000 in Sydney, a medical professional, Dr
Mark Donohoe, commented on Ansett's approach to his stance following his
treatment of a number of Ansett air crew:
... in this particular issue of the BAe 146, there are political and commercial
interests that have clouded the nature of inquiring into medical and health
problems and into safety issues of the jet. Back in 1998 when I was first
contacted by the Chief Medical Officer of Ansett and asked to a meeting, it
was the first and only time that I can recall in dealing with employees of a
company that a medical officer had made an attempt to get me to change my
views on the health of patients that I had seen. At the time I felt there was a
threat - an implied threat more than a direct threat - that it would be in my
interests to withdraw statements that I had made about safety on the jets and
the health of the people I had seen who had been flying on those jets.
Never before, and not since, has any commercial body, where there has been
a question of injury to employees, attempted to bring me into a meeting to
influence my views and to ask directly for a retraction of my views.79
2.83 The Committee notes also evidence to the Committee from Dr Chris van
Netten, whose research on cabin air quality has been used by one airline to assert that
BAe 146 cabin air is safe and healthy. Dr van Netten, stated:
My statement that British Aerospace has been quoting has also apparently
come up, where I make the statement that the air quality in a BAe 146-200
is the same, if not better in certain conditions, than a Dash-8 Aircraft. This is
only under conditions where everything is functioning normally, and this is
quite correct. The air in a normally operating, properly functioning aircraft
is the same as in a Dash-8 and is quite a normal experience. There is nothing
wrong with that but they stop there. They do not mention, for instance, that I
77 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 243
78 See various submissions; eg, Submissions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27 and 28.
79 Dr Mark Donohoe, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 94
27
also make other conclusions which they do not always seem to be quoting
me on. So I call it a case of selective quotation from my reports.80
2.84 The Committee views this evidence from two medical professionals with
some concern. The Committee notes these views reinforce the need for further
research on this issue, as recommended by the Committee in Chapter 6.
80 Associate Professor C van Netten, Evidence, 14 March 2000, p 22
CHAPTER THREE
SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS AND POSSIBLE SOURCES
3.1 The central issue in this inquiry is whether health effects result from exposure
to oil fumes in aircraft cabin air. Current medical science and technology available for
measuring and analysing the clinical effects of exposure to minute combinations of
chemicals are both relatively new. The Committee received submissions from several
medical and occupational health professionals supporting claims by flight crew that
exposure to fumes on BAe 146 aircraft resulted in deterioration of their health.1
3.2 The Committee is also aware that the Industrial Court of New South Wales
has acknowledged that exposure to fumes on a BAe 146 exacerbated a pre-existing
illness suffered by former Ansett flight attendant Alysia Chew.
3.3 One medical professional, Dr Robert Loblay, gave evidence to the Committee
arguing that there are no health effects as a result of exposure to fumes. Unfortunately,
his evidence consisted largely of attacking the personal and professional integrity and
status of other witnesses. Dr Loblay did not supply a written submission to the
inquiry.
3.4 The majority of the professional witnesses to the inquiry highlighted an
absence of clinical testing of flight crew and passengers immediately after their
exposure to fumes. In the absence of equipment sensitive enough to detect all potential
chemical components present in human tissue following a fume exposure incident, it
appears difficult to measure the health consequences of fume exposure.
Examples of symptoms
3.5 There was a commonality within the symptoms reported by affected flight
crew exposed to fumes on aircraft which can be summarised as follows:
dizziness;
?br>
nausea;
?br>
vomiting;
?br>
headaches;
?br>
head pressure;
?br>
numbness;
?br>
tingling;
?br>
irritations to eyes, nose and throat;
?br>
See ?Submissions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
1
30
breathing difficulties;
?br>
vision difficulties;
?br>
fatigue;
?br>
weakness;
?br>
cognitive dysfunction;
?br>
concentration difficulties;
?br>
disorientation confusion;
?br>
chemical sensitivities; and
?br>
neurobehavioural difficulties.2
?br>
3.6 Associate Professor Chris Winder from the University of New South Wales
set out in his submission both short term and long term symptoms exhibited by
affected people he had interviewed who had flown on the BAe 146.
3.7 Dr Winder advised that symptoms from single or short term exposures,
include:
? neurotoxic symptoms: blurred or tunnel vision, nystagmus,
disorientation, shaking and tremors, loss of balance and vertigo,
seizures, loss of consciousness, parathesias;
? psychotoxic symptoms: memory impairment, headache,
light-headedness, dizziness, confusion and feeling intoxicated;
? gastro-intestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting;
? respiratory symptoms. cough, breathing difficulties including shortness
of breath, tightness in chest, respiratory failure requiring oxygen;
? cardiovascular symptoms: increased heart rate and palpitations; and
irritation of eyes, nose and upper airways.3
?br>
3.8 Dr Winder also said symptoms from long term low-level exposure or residual
symptoms from exposure events, include:
neurotoxic symptoms: numbness (fingers, lips, limbs), parathesias;
?br>
psychotoxic symptoms: memory impairment, forgetfulness, lack of co-
?br>
ordination, severe headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders;
gastro-intestinal symptoms: salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea;
?br>
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 6
2
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 12
3
31
respiratory symptoms: breathing difficulties (shortness of breath),
?br>
tightness in chest, respiratory failure, susceptibility to upper respiratory
tract infections;
cardiovascular symptoms: chest pain, increased heart rate and
?br>
palpitations;
skin symptoms: skin itching and rashes, skin blisters (on uncovered
?br>
body parts), hair loss;
irritation of eyes, nose and upper airways;
?br>
sensitivity: signs of immunosupression, chemical sensitivity leading to
?br>
acquired or multiple chemical sensitivity; and
general: weakness and fatigue (leading to chronic fatigue), exhaustion,
?br>
hot flashes, joint pain, muscle weakness and pain.4
3.9 Evidence to the Committee presented from pilots, cabin crew and their
medical advisors that these generalised symptoms are common to those who have
developed symptoms after being exposed to fumes while flying in the BAe 146.
3.10 However, Dr Robert Loblay of the University of Sydney told the inquiry:
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has done population surveys
for many years now showing that these non-specific symptoms are present
at any one time in 10 per cent of the population. If you survey the
population two years later, it is still 10 per cent but they are different
people.5
3.11 Dr Loblay went on to state:
Tunnel vision is not a symptom of neurotoxicity. It is not an uncommon
symptom in people with acute anxiety and hyperventilation.
I am not denying that there have not been problems with air quality and with
fumes and so on in the BAe 146. That is absolutely clear from the evidence
the expert panel was presented with. But when a belief system spreads in a
population that a particular work or other environment is dangerous, then
people come to attribute these common symptoms to their environment. It is
a common phenomenon in this area .... People's beliefs often lead them to
mistakenly attribute common symptoms or anxiety symptoms to toxic
exposure when they are in an environment where they believe there are
toxic chemicals. This is a phenomenon that has been demonstrated in
healthy individuals in experimental circumstances as well. So I do not
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, pp 13-14; see also Submission 5, Dr Jean Christophe
4
Balouet, p 1, Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 172, Submission 2, Dr Mark
Donohoe, pp 1-2.
Dr Robert Loblay, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 103
5
32
necessarily believe that most of those symptoms that are described are
symptoms of chemical neurotoxicity in the way that it has been claimed ...6
3.12 The Committee notes that reported incidents of health problems among flight
crew arising from claimed fume exposure on BAe 146 aircraft indicate a higher rate of
problems than the 10 per cent in the general population quoted by Dr Loblay.7
3.13 Dr Loblay advised:
I accept that when there are leaks and fumes come into the cabin people do
experience irritant symptoms - irritation of the eye, nose and throat. Many
people experience headache and nausea when they are exposed to
unpleasant fumes and smells. That is a pretty common phenomenon. I have
no difficulty with that. What I have difficulty with is the claim that flying in
these aeroplanes regularly and being exposed to the usual cabin air, leaving
aside those single episodes where there are significant leaks, is in any way
responsible for long-term adverse health effects or even short-term adverse
effects.8
Possible enhanced effect on symptoms from flying
3.14 It has been put to the Committee that symptoms of toxicity from fumes are not
only caused by chemical exposure but may be "... exacerbated by the hypoxia of
cabin pressure, other chemical exposures (such as carbon monoxide), temperature,
humidity, workload or pre-existing health conditions."9 This phenomenon is described
by some in the medical profession as "aerotoxic syndrome" and is now a specialist
area for medical and occupational health research.10
Possible causes and sources of illnesses in the BAe 146
3.15 Associate Professor Winder listed the following occurrences as possible
sources of fumes and invisible smoke in a BAe 146 cabin:
oil leaks to the air conditioning system;
?br>
smoke from combustion/pyrolysis events;
?br>
contamination following pack burn outs;
?br>
exposures during times when contaminated engines/APU are being used;
?br>
and
residual contamination.11
?br>
Dr Robert Loblay, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 104
6
7 See Balouet, Winder, FAAA submissions.
Dr Robert Loblay, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 104
8
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p. 2
9
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 53 (subs vol 1)
10
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 6
11
33
3.16 As noted in the description in Chapter 1, the BAe 146 contains an auxiliary
power unit (APU) which primarily supplies compressed air for ground operation of
the air conditioning system and is also used during take off and landing. According to
Dr Winder; "Both the engines and APU have been implicated as sources of the
fumes/mists that have entered the flight deck and cabin, although the engines are
considered the main source of the problem." 12
Engine oil and oil seals
3.17 The main engine oil used in the BAe 146 as well as in other jet aircraft in
Australia is Mobil Jet Oil II, a synthetic phosphate ester product manufactured by
Mobil USA and marketed in Australia by Mobil Australia.13 The Committee
understands that in various formulations, Mobil Jet Oil II has been in use in the world
aviation industry for more than 38 years. During 1998 1.4 billion passengers were
carried on jets using this oil.14
3.18 Mobil Oil told the inquiry:
Mobil has roughly 51 per cent of a world market for turbine oils. Jet oil II is
certainly the main grade and would account for over 90 per cent of that. ...
about 45 per cent of turbine engines worldwide would run on jet oil II.15
3.19 Several submissions from crew/and medical professionals maintained that the
cause of fumes on the aircraft was burnt oil lubricants leaking from engines into the
BAe 146's cabin air system:
Excessive oil leakage from oil seals allows smoke and lubricating oil
components to enter the cabin. Oil seals are used to ensure that engine oil
does not mix with the air system. Oil is passing through the engine seals into
the compressor bleed air system and therefore contaminating air used for the
environmental control system (ECS). The engine bearing conditions are in
some cases further allowing oil to pass the engine seal system and therefore
enabling oil to enter the cabin bleed air system, being the source of cabin
air-conditioning/heating and pressurisation involves the following problems:
-residual oil leaks from engines/ APU into cabin air conditioning system -
complete bearing / seal failure;
-residual oil leaks remaining from intense exposures after air con pack burn
(engines run very hot to produce very high air con pack temperature so as to
push any residual oil contaminants through the system)16
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 4 See also BASI Occurrence Brief 199702276 (on
12
internet site) incident involving Captain Kolver on 10 July 1997, p 2.
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 4
13
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 52
14
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 142
15
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 4; see NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 139
16
34
3.20 The AFAP also maintained that the problem in the BAe 146 involves the
design of its engines and air conditioning system along with problems involving oil
seals and filters.17
3.21 The AFAP claimed that:
The BAe 146 appears to have a higher proportion than normal of oil leakage
into the aircraft air conditioning system. The engine bearing/seal system is
allowing excessive oil to leak into the aircraft bleed air system,18
3.22 Dr Chris van Netten of the University of British Columbia commented that:
The engines used by the BAe 146 aircraft appear to have an inherent
problem with leaking oils seals, specifically in the compressor section of the
engine at bearing locations 1 and 9.
Bleed air, used for pressurisation of the aircraft, from the compressor stage
of the engine can become contaminated with engine oil constituents. The
temperature of the bleed air can be in excess of 500' Celsius. At this
temperature any oil constituents will pyrolize resulting in smoke formation.
The presence of smoke in the cabin has been well documented in these
aircraft.19
and
...One is not exposed to carbon monoxide alone but a cocktail of pyrolised
and original oil components. These combinations of exposures have not
been studied and it would be wise to pay close attention, as this Committee
is presently doing, to the complaints and symptoms of flight crew
members.20
3.23 In its submission on this issue, CASA submitted that, early in its service, the
BAe 146 did experience relatively higher engine malfunction rates than other similar
sized aircraft:
... however the engine reliability rates are now comparable to all other
transport category aircraft of a similar size. Early engine problems included
poor reliability of engine bearing oil seals, which resulted in engine oil mist
being present in the air which is bled from the engines for cabin air
conditioning. Tests have shown, however, that even with engine bearing oil
seals missing close to where the bleed air is ducted from the engine to feed
the air conditioning packs, oil residues do not pass through to the cabin
environment.21
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 4; see also Submission 8, Associate Professor C. van Netten, p 12.
17
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 3
18
Submission 8, Associate Professor C. van Netten, p 1
19
Associate Professor C van Netten, Evidence, 14 March 2000, p 214
20
Submission 20, CASA, p 3
21
35
Pack burns
3.24 A pack burn is a process under which, before the first flight by an aircraft on a
given day, the first officer manually adjusted the aircraft air conditioning outlet
temperature to a very high setting in order to vaporise residual oil traces in the air
conditioning ducts of the BAe 146. As the procedure was normally carried out in the
morning before aircraft operations commenced, cabin crew were often exposed to
large amounts of smoky residue flushed from the ducting.22
3.25 The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia gave this additional
information concerning pack burns:
Pack burn offs were introduced in March 1997 as a BAe 146 Odour Inquiry
Committee initiative. The intention was to remove the engine oil gathered in
the sump, near the cabin air inlet, during overnight stops. It was
demonstrated that pack burn-offs were counter-productive because they
loaded the filters with carbon and bi-products from the burnt oil and the
loaded filters were then unable to remove the contaminants from the air
destined to air condition the cabin and flight deck. Pack burn offs were
discontinued as a routine procedure in mid 1998.
The process of pack-burn offs was used regularly on BAe 146 aircraft as it
was believed that it cleansed the air conditioning systems, and thus reduced
odour occurrences.
After crew reported odours a pack burn would routinely be ordered during
the turn-around or before start up for the next day's duty.23
and,
Allied Signal, the APU manufacturers, warned of the danger of pack burns
in their Richard Fox Report of November 1997.
"Total contaminant levels, in the supply air to the cabin exceed 50% of the
current Safety Standard Limit (NIOSH, ACCIH) during pack burn outs.
Compounds present include formaldehyde, tetro-hydrofuran, and cumene.
These compounds are recognised as causing skin, respiratory and eye
irritation, as well as nausea and narcosis, if present in excessive levels. The
majority of currently detected compounds do not have established exposure
limits."
Fox also states that " this exposure can continue for some time after the
completion of this procedure". 24
Confidential submission C6
22
Submission 24, FAAA, pp 7-8
23
Submission 24, FAAA, p 8
24
36
3.26 The FAAA drew attention to a 1997 Ansett notice to cabin crew on BAe 146
aircraft directing them not to remain on board during pack burns. Ansett also issued a
notice to its engineering section to discontinue pack burn procedures, "... in line with
the recommendations of the Fox Report".25
Difficulty in finding the source of fumes
3.27 A confidential submission to the inquiry set out the difficulties involved in
precisely locating the source of fumes on board the BAe 146:
The result of this air condition design, the output temperature and pack
contamination problems is that it is almost impossible to accurately locate
the original source of an oil leak. In the event of more than one engine/APU
leak combination, identification becomes almost impossible.26
Issue of toxicity in relation to exposure to fumes
3.28 Many of the submissions from flight crew and medical witnesses to the
inquiry asserted that members of some flight crews had suffered health effects from
exposure to fumes due to toxic ingredients in the oil fumes which leaked into the
aircraft cabin and were inhaled. The issue of toxicity is controversial and difficult to
effectively measure. The ingredient of Mobil Jet Oil II identified as a possible source
of neurotoxic effects is Tricresyl Phosphate, classified by the National Industrial
Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NINAS), as toxic.
3.29 The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme was
established in 1990 under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act
1989 (Commonwealth). NICNAS is a statutory scheme with staff and support services
provided by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commissions. The objection
of the NICNAS program is to establish the scientific basis for safe chemical use by
assessing industrial chemicals for occupational, public health and/or environmental
effects.27 NICNAS' submission to this inquiry states:
There are numerous case reports of human poisoning with TCP as a result of
ingestion of adulterated or contaminated beverages, foods or drugs. In some
cases transient gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and
diarrhoea have occurred shortly after the ingestion, whereas the neurological
symptoms are characteristically delayed and persistent. Initially, there are
pain and paraesthesia in the lower extremities, with a mild impairment of
cutaneous sensations and, at times, of vibratory sense. Muscle weakness
may progress to paralysis of the lower extremities with or without an
involvement of the upper extremities. Recovery can be extremely slow and
extend over a number of months or years".28
Submission 24, FAAA, p 8
25
Confidential submission 11, p 4
26
27 National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, Annual Report, 1991-9, p 47
Submission 12, NICNAS, p 6
28
37
3.30 NICNAS' submission also stated that the oil's manufacturer, Mobil,
acknowledges possible toxic components but considers the performance of the oil is
certainly an important factor in its continual use:
The neurotoxicity of jet engine oil containing TCP has been reviewed in a
recent paper from Mobil Business Resources Corporation and Mobil
Technology Company (Mackerer et al., 1999). The paper states that
although it has been known for many years that TCP contains neurotoxic
components, lubricant formulators have been reluctant to replace the
additive because of it's excellent performance in critical applications.29
3.31 Dr Chris van Netten told the inquiry:
We have many different compounds which really have not been analysed
yet... It appears, therefore, Mobil Oil has a rough idea of what the
composition is of their oils but does not have a clear picture of the different
isomers 30 that might be present.
This is very important when one is dealing, for instance, with a mixture of
closely related compounds. I understand Chris Winder has discussed these
with you in detail, so I do not want to go into a large amount of detail here,
but we have many of these compounds. ... I think it is very important for us
to know what is in these oils because if we do not know what all these
isomers are we cannot really state anything regarding their inhalation
exposures and their toxicity.31
3.32 Submissions were also made suggesting that the combination of chemical
components in fumes leaking into the aircraft could have as yet unknown toxic effects.
One submission to the inquiry raised a possible connection between
genetic/chromosomal damage and exposure to oil fumes, although the Committee is
not able to verify assertions of this nature.
Toxic Exposure
3.33 Between 1997 and 1999 the company Genetic Consulting and Testing Pty Ltd
(GCAT) carried out blood tests on five people who flew on BAe 146.32 The results of
these tests, contained in a submission to this inquiry, found that two of those tested
showed evidence of having been exposed to "clastogenic and/or aneuploidogenic
chemicals."33 The report went on to state:
Submission 12, NICNAS
29
30 An isomer is a member of a group of chemicals. TCP has 10 isomers.
31 Associate Professor C van Netten, Evidence, 14 March 2000, p 207 - 208
32 Submission 7, GCAT, pp 2-4
Submission 7, GCAT, p 5
33
38
The finding of notable disturbances in three people from the same
environment is compelling evidence that there was significant toxic
exposure.
The absence of findings in the other two persons could be explained either
by sampling error (we did not happen to detect abnormal cells because of
the relatively small number of cells sampled) or that the two people did not
have chromosome abnormalities. In our experience of repeat analyses ...
these results are most likely to mean that these two people do not have
chromosome abnormalities. The finding of chromosome abnormalities is
influenced by three factors. (1) The exposure (2) The person's genetic make-
up and (3) The person's diet at the time of exposure; some foods are known
to be protective. 34
3.34 GCAT's report concluded; "The chromosomes analyses performed on these 5
persons show evidence of exposure to significant levels of chemical toxins, sufficient
to cause grave, short and long term health consequences." 35
Tricresyl phosphate (TCP)
3.35 The inquiry was told that jet engine lubricants can typically contain up to 3
per cent tricresyl phosphate as an antiwear agent.36
3.36 Dr van Netten stressed in his submission that his research indicated:
... all engine oils tested to-date contain, among many other compounds,
tricresyl phosphate (TCP) isomers. Tricresyl phosphates have been
associated with neurotoxic properties. 37
3.37 Associate Professor Winder told the inquiry:
I believe that tricresyl phosphate is the particular chemical that causes the
neurological problems that staff on planes have been exposed to. But I
consider that in many of these exposures there is also a hydrocarbon
component context, and it is possible that the hydrocarbon exposure may
either exacerbate the effect or assist in increased absorption. I do not think it
is necessarily one chemical. It may be one chemical, but it is possible that it
could be exposure to other chemicals as well.38
Submission 7, GCAT, p 5
34
Submission 7, GCAT, p 5
35
Submission 8, Associate Professor C. van Netten, p 14
36
Submission 8, Associate Professor C. van Netten, p 2.
37
38 Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 16
39
Aerotoxic syndrome
3.38 In evidence to the inquiry Associate Professor Winder also asserted that
symptoms reported by individuals after exposure to fumes on the BAe 146 were
sufficiently consistent to indicate the development of a "discrete occupational health
condition". This condition was described as `aerotoxic syndrome'. Professor Winder
said:
Aerotoxic syndrome is a syndrome which is associated with aircrew
exposure at altitude to atmospheric contaminants from engine oil or other
aircraft fluids temporarily juxtaposed by the development of a consistent
symptomology of irritancy, chemical sensitivity and neurotoxicity.39
and
This syndrome may be reversible following brief exposures, but pictures are
emerging of a chronic syndrome following significant exposures.40
Ansett in particular questioned this assertion.41
Mobil Jet Oil II and the issue of toxicity
3.39 While the majority of submissions to the inquiry from medical/occupational
health professionals point to components of Mobil Jet Oil II as a source of health
problems, some witnesses dispute the oil as a source of toxicity. Dr David Lewis,
Chief Medical Officer with Ansett, told the inquiry in evidence:
Last year 1.4 billion people flew on aircraft lubricated by this oil. You take
that over the last 35 years and this must be the longest clinical trial for any
chemical in the history of medicine. With the 30 cases claimed by Balouet,
that would make it a one in 800 million chance of developing aerotoxic
syndrome.42
3.40 The National Industrial Chemicals and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has
placed Mobil Jet Oil II on a list of chemicals for review and assessment. NICNAS has
informed the Committee that Mobil Jet Oil II may be selected as a priority for review
and assessment - subject to given direction from the government - outside bodies and
other factors.
3.41 NICNAS submitted a document titled `Mobil Jet Oil II Overview of Available
Scientific Background Information' to the Committee setting out information
concerning the chemical ingredients in Mobil Jet Oil II. In the document, NICNAS
points to the following information:
39 Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 6
40 Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 6
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 64
41
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 64
42
40
According to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by the
Australian Federation of Air Pilots and Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Mobil Jet
Oil II contains >90 per cent synthetic esters and <10 per cent additives and
/or other ingredients 3% (or 1-5%) TCP and 1% (or 1-5%) PAN. A MSDS
from 1992 also lists 2-naphthalenamine, N-phenyl (CAS No 135-88-6) as an
ingredient. This chemical, also known as phenyl-beta-naphthylamine (PBN)
is listed in the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances, too.
Tricresyl phosphate (TCP)
When heated to decomposition, it can emit highly toxic fumes of
phosphorous oxides (HSDB 1999). ...The critical effects of TCP include
delayed neuropathy ascribed to the TOCP isomer and reproductive toxicity.
Neuropathy may occur after both single and repeated exposure to TOCP and
is similar in its mechanism of action and manifestations to the delayed nerve
damage induced by other organophosphates. Clinical signs of paralysis
typically appear after a latency period of 1-4 weeks. Histologically, there are
degenerative changes in the axons which gradually spread towards the cell
body. The lesions are attributed to the metabolite saligenin cyclic ortho-tolyl
phoshate, which irreversibly inhibits a subset of nervous system esterases
called neuropathy target esterases (NTE). ...
The neurotoxicity of jet engine oil containing TCP has been reviewed in a
recent paper from Mobil Business Resources Corporation and Mobil
Technology Company (Mackerer et all 1999). The paper states that although
it has been known for many years that TCP contains neurotoxic
components, lubricant formulators have been reluctant to replace the
additive because of its excellent performance in critical applications. ...
In reproductive toxicity studies in rates and mice, TOCP has been shown to
cause histopathological damage to the testes and ovaries, morphological
changes in sperm, decreased fertility in both sexes and decreased litter size
and viability, against without a clear cut no observed effect level.
Human health effects
There are numerous case reports of human poisoning with TCP as result of
ingestion of adulterated or contaminated beverages, foods or drugs (IPCS,
1990). In some cases transient gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting and diarrhoea have occurred shortly after the ingestion, whereas
the neurological symptoms are characteristically delayed and persistent.
Initially, there are pain and parasthesia in the lower extremities with a mild
impairment of cutaneous sensations and, at times, of vibratory sense.
Muscle weakness may progress to paralysis of the lower extremities, with or
without an involvement of the upper extremities. Recovery can be extremely
slow and extend over a period of months or years. ...
41
Hazard of the product as a whole
In the available MSDS it is stated that the "Worksafe classification" of
Mobil Jet Oil II is `not hazardous by Worksafe criteria'.43
3.42 In its submission, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd responded to the NICNAS
document by stating:
We are concerned that the lack of context for these toxicological profiles
may result in the Secretariat [of this Committee] (or members of the public
who otherwise review the document) concluding that the product displays
certain health and safety risks, when in fact it does not. When the product is
viewed as a whole, MJO is not a hazardous material as classified pursuant to
the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) Work
Safe criteria ... Also, scientific studies, including the recent work by
Macker et. al. ... demonstrate that exposure to jet oils does not pose a
significant risk to human health.44
3.43 The Mobil Oil submission went on to set out a number of "specific concerns
with respect to the presentation of information in the Overview" document prepared
by NICNAS, namely the presentation of a `misleading picture of potential health and
safety hazards associated with Mobil Jet Oil II".45
3.44 Later in its submission the company stated:
... we believe the Overview could lead to undue public concern due to the
statement regarding the presence of potential carcinogens in the product. In
fact, these constituents are present as impurities only at trace levels and
below the level at which an adverse health effect could occur.46
3.45 In a supplementary submission to this inquiry Mobil noted that:
We do not believe that Mobil jet turbine oils pose any significant
toxicological risk to individuals accidentally exposed to aerosols or vapours
in aircraft cabins. Such exposures are not what we would refer to as "normal
use" but the cabin levels that can be reached during such exposures are
comprehended by our internal and published risk assessments and are
considered safe. These assessments are based on Mobil toxicology testing as
well as the extensive toxicology database found in the published literature.47
3.46 In response to specific claims that Mobil Oil II is toxic the company stated:
Submission 12, NICNAS, pp 3-11
43
Submission 13, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, p 1
44
Submission 13, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, pp 1-2
45
Submission 13, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, p 2
46
Submission13A, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, p 2
47
42
... based on the toxicological data developed over the years, Mobil Jet Oil II
is a non-hazardous product based on the NOHSC document "Approved
Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances". ...
With regard to phenyl-napthylamine, Mobil Jet Oil II contains
approximately 1% of the alpha isomer. Testing has confirmed that this
concentration did not cause sensitization in animals or humans. The
concentration of the carcinogenic beta isomer and beta naphthylamine
which might be present as impurities is negligible to non-existent in Mobil
let Oil II.... 48
There has been much speculation that Mobil Jet Oil II may be the cause of
the alleged adverse health effects. This is unsupported by the scientific
evidence ... The clinical symptoms reported are not the same as those that
have been historically seen for TCP. The reported symptoms appear to
closely match those for exposure to carbon monoxide (CO). These effects
can be exacerbated by low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in
the aircraft cabin. Possible sources for carbon monoxide include the ambient
cabin air and, in the case of a malfunction of the aircraft mechanical
systems, thermally degraded hydraulic oil and turbine oil that might enter
the aircraft cabin. These oils may break down at very high temperatures and
liberate carbon monoxide on contact with hot metal surfaces. Under these
extreme conditions, carbon monoxide would be produced from virtually any
oil and independent of any additives, including TCP, that might be present.49
3.47 During his oral evidence to the Committee, Mr Julian Plummer, Manger of
Aviation Lubricant Sales with Mobil Australia made the following comment:
Mobil do not consider accidental exposure to oil vapours in an aircraft cabin
to be `normal use', but the levels that can be reached are comprehended by
our internal and published risk assessments and are considered safe. ...
The tricresyl phosphate (TCP) additive used in jet oils provides the lubricant
with improved anti-wear and load carrying capability. Its properties are
unique, and no replacement has been identified which can meet the stringent
performance requirements of a modern jet engine oil. Our submission
details that the TCP used in jet oil II is low toxicity, about 25 to 60 times
less neurotoxic than TCPs used in the 1950s. ...
Our risk assessment details that it is not possible to receive a harmful dose
by inhalation at the threshold limit value of five milligrams per cubic metre,
which would be visible mist. It is also not possible to receive a harmful dose
from accidental skin contact, and there is no record of a jet oil formulated
with modern conventional TCP causing human toxicity. ...
Tricresyl phosphate is present in jet oil at approximately three per cent,
which is around 30,000 parts per million. The neurotoxic components are
Submission 13A, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, p 3
48
Submission 13A, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, p 4
49
43
orthoisomers which are only a small proportion of the TCP and are present
at roughly 140 parts per million in the jet oil. Jet oil is neurotoxic if you
drink it, and we have established doses for both a toxic one-off dose or a
toxic ongoing dose, which is a smaller amount that you would have to ingest
each day. Based on normal things, these would be impossible to achieve. ...
The studies show that it is possible to breathe a mist. We are now talking
about a mist of the oil which contains three per cent, whereas I suspect the
0.1 milligram per cubic metre that was mentioned as the NOHSC
requirement ?the maximum ?was just TCP. I am now talking oil
containing three per cent TCP. It is possible to breathe a mist at five
milligrams per cubic metre, which is the accepted maximum workplace
level for lubricating oils, five days a week, eight hours a day, in an ongoing
sense without absorbing a toxic dose through inhalation. For dermal contact,
we have established that it is possible to cover your entire body surface with
the liquid for six hours and not absorb a toxic dose through the skin. Our
prime warnings are against ingestion of a product. It has always been
believed that more pure forms of TCP would not do the same lubricating
job. It relied on the variety of molecules in there to perform the function.50
3.48 In contrast to these comments, Dr Jean Christophe Balouet told the inquiry on
13 March 2000:
... evidence presented to this committee suggests that covering the entire
surface of the body with oil would not be hazardous. This may be the case
for a mineral oil but not for a synthetic oil containing toxic ingredients.51
3.49 On 24 February 2000, Mobil Oil Australia replied to a series of questions put
to the company by Associate Professor Winder. The following are excerpts from the
response by Mobil Oil to Dr Winder's inquiry, a copy of which was supplied to the
inquiry:
From the historical literature, the reported symptoms from exposure to TCP
consist of transient gastrointestinal complaints followed some days or weeks
later by a progressively developing "dying back" neuropathy starting in the
feet and migrating upward toward the hips; in some cases the hands are
affected and paralysis migrates upward toward the elbows. This neuropathy
is often referred to as organophosphate induced delayed neuropathy
(OPIDN). There have been upwards of 60,000 human poisonings from TCP
with remarkable similar symptomatology and neuropathology. We do not
believe that other human toxic effects are produced by TCP whether the
exposure is acute, subacute or chronic. ...
In summary, we do not believe that any of the symptoms, reported by
individuals claiming to have been exposed to mists or odours of Mobil Jet
Oil 11, were caused by exposure to the oil or any of its components.
Neurological effects claimed to occur from low-level chronic exposure, or
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Evidence, 1 February 2000, pp 141-142
50
Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 173
51
44
cumulative effects from multiple exposures, are strictly anecdotal and are
not supported by concurrent documentation of exposure or of biochemical,
or pathological effects known to be produced in humans by TCP. In the
absence of proven exposure and recognisable toxicologic sequelae known to
be related to TCP, the allegations appear to be simply unfounded
speculation. ...
We believe that the toxicity of Jet Oil 11 would not be altered by reduced
pressure or oxygen level - however, this would not necessarily be true of
pyrolysis or combustion products of the oil. ...
The more frequent symptoms, i.e. disorientation, blurred vision, impaired
memory, altered coordination, nausea, loss of balance, headache, dizziness,
increased heart rate, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath.... are
consistent with hypoxia. 1 suggest that hypoxia might result from one or
more of the following: low oxygen level, presence of carbon monoxide,
elevated oxygen demand possibly resulting from increased muscular activity
and/or hyperventilation possibly aggravated by high carbon dioxide levels
and stress from lack of sleep.
Mobil's turbine oils are designed to meet appropriate standards for engine
performance, safety and product stewardship. Our risk assessments define
the conditions under which we consider Jet Oil 11 to be of negligible risk
through inhalation, dermal and ingestion exposure. That information has
been provided to our customers and is available publicly through our
published papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Based on the
results of this research, we believe Jet Oil 11 is of negligible risk to
maintenance workers, passengers, and flight staff potentially exposed to an
oil vapour or mist. ... 52
3.50 The Committee notes NICNAS' statement in it's submission that its findings
relate to absorption of TCOP through the skin and that `there are (sic) no reliable data
on absorption via inhalation'.53
Labelling of Cans Containing Mobil Jet Oil II
3.51 In his evidence to this inquiry, Dr Winder drew the inquiry's attention to a
change that has occurred in label information on cans of Mobil Oil II, while
displaying two oil can labels:
This is a container of Mobil jet oil 2 with a pre-1992 label which states:
Warning!
Contains Tricresyl Phosphate.
Produces paralysis if taken internally.
Do not use as a medicine or food product.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
52 Correspondence from Ms S Potts, Manager External Relations, Mobil Oil Australia to the Secretariat
dated 5 April 2000 containing letter to Associate Professor Chris Winder dated 24 February 2000, pp 3-4.
Submission 12, NICNAS, p 4
53
45
3.52 Dr Winder went on to comment:
The label was modified after 1992. The small square is the warning on the
pre-1992 label and the warnings are now in this white box in 13 languages.
It says:
Warning!
Contains Tricresyl Phosphate.
Swallowing this product can cause nervous system disorders including paralysis.
Prolonged or repeated breathing of oil mist, or prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause
54
nervous system effects.
3.53 According to Dr Winder; "The important thing is it is recognised that the tri-
orthocresyl, especially the orthocresyl phosphate containing molecules in the tri-
orthocresyl mixture, cause nervous system effects."55 He went on to state; "While I
accept it is unlikely that anybody flying and exposed to this material is going to get
paralysis sufficient that they would need to be put in a wheelchair for the rest of their
lives, I do not accept that lesser exposures do not cause other nervous system or even
neuro behavioural effects."56
3.54 In Mobil Australia's supplementary submission to the inquiry the company
dealt with the issue of how their cans of Mobil Oil II came to be labelled in the way
they are. According to the company:
... animal studies showed the jet oils tested, containing a maximum of 3%
TCP, might be potentially harmful. Subsequently we updated the product
Material Safety Data Sheets to include this information and recommended
that exposure via skin, inhalation and ingestion be minimised. The emphasis
was on ingestion as there had been reports that individuals in certain
developing countries may have suffered from delayed neurotoxic effects
after ingestion of foodstuffs or beverages adulterated with aryl phosphate
esters. ...
and
A formal risk assessment was conducted by Mobil in 1990 which provided
confirmation that ingestion was, in fact, the principal route of exposure that
could potentially produce neurotoxic effects. Because of the ingestions that
had earlier been reported, it was decided that communication (through
labelling) of this potential ingestion hazard to individuals working directly
with the jet oils was appropriate. The risk assessment clearly showed that a
potentially harmful dose is not possible via inhalation at levels at or even
higher than Threshold Limit Value of 5.0 mg/m3 for the oil mist. These
levels would produce a clearly visible oil mist. Also, an accidental
contamination of the entire body surface with an oil containing 3% TCP for
6 hours would not result in the absorption of more than an estimated non-
toxic single dose. ...
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 8, see also AFAP, Evidence,
54
1 February 2000, p 113.
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 8
55
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 8
56
46
Additional joint toxicology studies by Mobil and a major manufacturer of
TCP confirmed that an oil with 3% TCP could produce neurotoxic effects in
animals administered very high oral doses. This led Mobil to adopt a very
conservative labelling approach for its jet oils by including language
recommending minimising exposure by all routes and emphasising the
importance of good personal hygiene practices. The decision was made in
the early part of 1997 and labelling was phased in during the year. ...
Mobil's decision to label these products was based solely on its own policies
and product safety stewardship practices. ...
In summary, recent changes that have been made to the label and Material
Safety Data Sheets do not reflect any underlying change in product
composition or any new information about health hazards. Mobil Jet Oil 11
has been, and continues to be, safe for its intended purposes. The changes to
the label were based solely on Mobil's own product stewardship practices
and a very conservative approach to labelling, It must be emphasised that
the revised labelling and MSDS statements do not reflect new information
on Mobil Jet Oil II, suggesting hazard, where none exited before.57
3.55 Mr Plummer of Mobil Oil also told the inquiry:
... we resubmitted the basis for our labelling and that Mobil jet oil II is non-
hazardous by Worksafe criteria to the National Occupational Health and
Safety Commission. On 17 June last year we received their reply, agreeing
that our labelling is correct and that Mobil jet oil II is correctly classified as
non-hazardous.58
Development of a new Mobil jet oil
3.56 The inquiry was told by British Aerospace that trials are currently taking place
in Australia and Europe to produce a Jet oil with different contents to those in Mobil
Jet Oil II. Mr Black of British Aerospace noted:
"Though recognising that no firm scientific link has been made between the
sick people and the contents of this oil, we have immediately launched an
action to try to change to the oil which is claimed to not have these things in
it."59
and "We have never actually seen any of these dangerous chemicals getting
through into the cabin. Nevertheless, due to that fact that those chemicals
exist in the oil and that we have sick people at the other end of the chain, we
have initiated this action to try to find a better oil which does not contain
those constituents." 60
Submission 13A, Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, pp 3-4
57
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 141
58
British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 85
59
British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 86
60
47
3.57 Mr Plummer of Mobil Oil told the inquiry his company has developed a new
jet oil named jet oil 291. Mr Plummer advised that:
... we have got a product now which has lower deposit forming tendencies
both in the liquid and vapour phase .... it has a non-toxic additive pack. We
have developed a TCP which has effectively eliminated the ortho isomers,
which were the 140 parts per million of toxic elements previously.61
3.58 Mr Plummer went on to stress that:
... we want to make it clear that the oil was not developed just to eliminate
the toxic elements of TCP. That was just one of a number of development
parameters for it. 62
3.59 Captain Trevor Jensen of Ansett told the inquiry:
Ansett is currently trialing Mobil 291, a new generation oil, on the BAel46-
300 series aircraft. Depending on the results of the trial (engine wear and
tear, etc.) Ansett will investigate using Mobil 291 on the other aircraft
types.63
3.60 The claimed advantages of the new oil were not supported by Dr Balouet
when he stated:
I understand that evidence presented to the committee suggests that new
generation modern jet oils have been modified so that the concentrations of
some toxic ingredients will be reduced. Please note that these jet oils are still
being tested and are not yet in commercial use. Jet engines still contain the
older generation of jet oils, known to be toxic, while removing TOCP will
not necessarily solve the problem.64
The Alysia Chew case
3.61 On 28 April 1999 a judgement was delivered in a case brought by an Ansett
cabin crew member, Ms Alysia Chew, heard in the Compensation Court of New South
Wales.65 The basis of Ms Chew's claim was that between January 1992 and 30
October 1993, when a flight attendant with Eastwest Airlines, she was exposed to
fumes, toxic substances and other irritants whilst carrying out duties as a flight
attendant on BAe 146 aircraft. Ms Chew also claimed that fumes within the aircraft to
which she was exposed contained Mobil Jet Oil II which contained the substance
triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP).
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 142
61
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 142
62
63 Correspondence from Captain Jensen to the Committee dated 11 February 2000, attachment p 2.
Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 173; see also Submission 14B, AFAP,
64
pp 17-18.
65 Alysia Chew v Eastwest Airlines Ltd & Ansett Australia Ltd, Compensation Court of New South Wales,
(Matter 19652 of NSW), Moran J.
48
3.62 Ms Chew alleged two alternative causes for her illness:
a) that TOCP caused damage to her physiology which gave rise to her
chronic ongoing symptoms and disabilities diagnosed by her doctors as
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS); or
b) Alternatively she alleged her symptoms and incapacity resulted from
aggravation of a condition of glandular fever or a viral infection described as
Epstein Barr virus.66
3.63 In respect of Ms Chew's first basis of claim, Justice Moran noted that:
The applicant puts her case in the alternative so I do not think it necessary
for me to decide whether or not a diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity
is appropriate in this case. I must say at the outset though that there certainly
is a weight of medical evidence in this case against such a label ...
I prefer the evidence given by the respondent's doctors, in particular, Dr
Carroll and Professor Loblay, that the diagnosis of multiple chemical
sensitivity is wrong and that the applicant is suffering from an aggravation
of glandular fever or Epstein Barr virus. 67
3.64 Justice Moran ultimately found in Ms Chew's favour in respect of her second
submission and decided that:
Ms Chew suffered injury arising out of and in the course of her
?br>
employment with the respondents from January 1992 to 30 October
1993; and
Section 47 of the Workers Compensation Act applies and that the
?br>
applicant as a result of the injury, "is unable without substantial risk of
further injury to engage in employment of a certain kind because of the
nature of that employment shall be deemed to be incapacitated for her
employment at that kind." 68
3.65 Justice Moran also commented that evidence in relation to contaminants was
as follows:
The levels of measured chemical contaminants in the cabin air were not a
threat to the health of aircrew or passengers.
Contaminant levels were well below internationally accepted occupational
health standards and cannot precipitate any chronic disorders.
The levels of contaminants were hundreds to thousands of times below
those levels known to cause neurotoxic sequelae.69
66 Judgment given in the Alysia Chew case heard in the Compensation Court of New South Wales and
delivered on 28 April 1999, pp 1-2.
67 Judgment given in the Alysia Chew case heard in the Compensation Court of New South Wales and
delivered on 28 April 1999, p 10.
68 Judgment given in the Alysia Chew case heard in the Compensation Court of New South Wales and
delivered on 28 April 1999, pp 12-13.
Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 4; see Judgment given in the Alysia Chew case heard in the
69
Compensation Court of New South Wales and delivered on 28 April 1999, pp 8-9.
49
3.66 In its submission to the inquiry Ansett referred to the Chew case stating that:
The Compensation Court of NSW made a decision in April 1999 that a
Flight Attendant's rare pre-existing viral condition was aggravated by
exposure to fumes aboard a BAe 146. The judge accepted expert evidence
from witness Dr Crank that there was no toxicity in the fumes coming into
the cabin and that they posed no threat to anyone without an extraordinary
susceptibility, such as the claimant.70
Medical evidence
3.67 During its public hearing in Sydney on 1 February 2000 the Committee heard
evidence from medical professionals, Dr Mark Donohoe and Dr Richard Teo, both of
whom have examined patients affected by fumes while working on BAe 146 aircraft.
Both Dr Donohoe and Dr Teo gave evidence supporting claims that exposure to fumes
on BAe 146 have led to long term illness and evidence of neurotoxicity.
3.68 Dr Donohoe told the inquiry:
I am saying that in this case we have doctors and toxicologists saying that
there are long-term health problems. In other words, people who have been
exposed to these fumes and developed short-term symptoms at the time
have had long-term consequences.71
3.69 Dr Teo in his evidence to the inquiry stated:
... the people I have tested have been affected about two years, and they are
still not good. So for two years I can say they are not good. 72
3.70 Dr Robert Loblay put a contrary view at the hearing in Sydney on 1 February
2000:
Almost anything can be toxic if given in sufficiently large dose or if a
person is exposed to a sufficient quantity. The real question is: are the
people in the cabin ?under normal cabin conditions, not when there is a
leak ?exposed to levels of any of these compounds which could
conceivably cause toxic effects? The evidence the expert panel was
presented with seemed pretty clear, that that was not at all likely.73
Submission 22, Ansett Australia, p 5
70
Dr Mark Donohoe, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p. 95
71
Dr Richard Teo, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p. 95
72
Dr Robert Loblay , Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 105
73
50
Other clinical symptoms
3.71 It is apparent that although some crew members have reacted to the fumes on
the BAe 146, other crew members have had limited, or no reaction to the same
exposure. One confidential submission to the inquiry advised that it appeared women
were more susceptible than men to the fumes.74 Dr Winder stated:
There are a whole range of individual reasons why exposure may be
increased and also a whole range of issues related to susceptibility. ... There
are a range of different factors which may underlie why some people are
more affected than others.75
3.72 Dr Balouet told the inquiry in evidence:
... individual susceptibility is not the same with all people around the world
and even within a small population. Some people would be really allergic,
for example, to a compound and others would not. ...
There might be genetic factors interfering with these problems. In fact, there
are a number of enzymes, one of which especially play a major role in
eliminating and controlling the effects of organophosphates. Particularly
what we have seen from the preliminary studies is that the people sharing
the two same enzymes will show very high effects, while those people who
have either the R type or the 2 plus R type will not have such severe
symptoms.76
3.73 In his evidence to the inquiry Dr Chris van Netten noted that:
The most sensitive people get sick first and they are your early warning
signs of a potential problem. Often these people are looked upon as
hypochondriacs or complainers or whatever else, and this is doing the
system an injustice because it is actually quite dangerous to not pay
attention to these people. They are really your early warning signs that
something is wrong. The person next to you might get sick now because of a
certain different physiology or background whereas you might get sick next,
and this is the important component we have to worry about.77
Confidential submission C11, p 3
74
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 13
75
Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 176
76
Associate Professor C. van Netten, Evidence, 14 March 2000, p 210, see also pp 208-209
77
51
3.74 Captain Frank Kolver of NJS commented on the health effects he suffered
following his exposure to fumes, an incident dealt with later in this report:
In my experience, after the first incident I seemed to become sensitive to
very strong chemical smells. I think I noted in my submission an example of
when I would go into a hardware store and walk past the shelf with
insecticides and pesticides. If I continued to stay there, probably within the
next 10-15 minutes I would start getting a headache. This was
predominantly once again a pain in the left temple. Some other chemical
effects were exhaust fumes from motor vehicles in dense traffic and some
strong chemically based perfumes. They all seem to have some effect. If I
did not do so something about getting away from the source, I would start
trying to suffer a headache....The problem we want to solve here is to
rectify the problem we have which we believe has been caused by oil
fumes.78
Captain F Kolver, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 149
78
CHAPTER FOUR
TESTING BAe 146 CABIN AIR FOR FUMES - AUSTRALIAN
INITIATIVES AND RESULTS
Study of toxic fumes on US aircraft
4.1 The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Engineers' Aviation Sub-committee to Technical Committee (TC) 9.3, Transportation
Air Conditioning has been examining cabin air quality on passenger jet airliners. It
must be noted that the ASHRAE study, and its findings, are not necessarily specific to
the BAe 146 aircraft.
4.2 Writing in the ASHRAE Journal in September 1999 Dr Jolanda N.
Janczewski, a member of the ASHRAE's Aviation Sub-committee, stated:
The controversy surrounding airliner cabin air quality has been debated for
some time. The perception that the air quality within commercial aircraft is
the cause of, or can be associated with symptoms experienced by passengers
and crew has been the subject of scientific, public and even congressional
debate. However, despite numerous studies, meetings, seminars, hearings
and press coverage, no definitive association between in-flight cabin air
quality and symptoms has been identified.1
4.3 According to Dr Janczewski flight attendants asserted that:
... their workforce suffers from both long- and short-term health effects that
are caused by pollutants or conditions within their working environments.
They provide the committees with anecdotal stories about crewmembers
(and sometimes passengers) experiencing headache, hypoxia, neurological
disorders and other symptoms while onboard aircraft. To date, however, no
scientific studies or data substantiating these assertions have been provided
for the committees' review. 2
4.4 Dr Janczewski wrote that ASHRAE air quality committee:
... is comprised of various experts in environmental testing and evaluation,
as well as a host of engineers. Reports and presentations provided by these
committee members have shown aircraft cabin contaminant levels well
below those likely to cause significant health effects. In addition, these
experts continue to assert that there is a lack of evidence to support the
theories being expressed. Using the most state-of the-art sampling strategies,
and conducting continuous review of the data provided by committee
members and outside studies, the data has failed to establish a recognised
risk. 3
Jolanda N. Janczewski, IAQ on Passenger Planes , ASHRAE Journal, September 1999, p 18
1
Jolanda N. Janczewski, IAQ on Passenger Planes , ASHRAE Journal, September 1999, p 18
2
Jolanda N. Janczewski, IAQ on Passenger Planes , ASHRAE Journal, September 1999, p 18
3
54
4.5 The air quality committee carried out its air monitoring procedures on eight
Boeing 777 commercial airline flights operated by a US carrier. The monitoring was
performed between 9 and 22 July 1998. Sensors were used to detect a number of
contaminants on board the aircraft including volatile organic compounds (VOC).4
4.6 In a document supplied to this Committee by ASHRAE it was stated:
Based on information collected during this study, including the air quality
monitoring data, the responses to the comfort questionnaire and the
information gathered during the literature search, there does not appear to be
significant air quality-related health hazards present for either the
passengers or the crew. However, this study was not an industry-wide
evaluation involving different manufacturers, airlines and aircraft. The
results from this project reflect a very narrow scope since it involved only
one airline and one aircraft type. To fully assess the impact of cabin air
quality, more research is needed to determine if significant health hazards
are present and to identify solutions to correct problem areas.5
4.7 This document went on to note that:
Exposure to harmful concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
does not appear to present a significant health hazard for passengers or flight
attendants. This study, as well as other published and unpublished data seem
to indicate that concentrations of total VOCs are lower on aircraft than in
other public environments. Also, other than the issue concerning the
potential for hydraulic fluid entering the cabin ... there does not appear to
be sources present in the aircraft cabin that are likely to produce VOCs at
levels that would result in significant health effects for the majority of the
population. The most abundant VOC, especially on international flights,
appears to be ethanol (approximately 80% of the TVOC), which is not a
highly toxic inhalation hazard. The most obvious source of ethanol is
associated with alcohol consumption of passengers. Two chemicals that
posed a concern to the PMS were formaldehyde and acrolein. Both of these
chemicals were measured during this study and the results indicated that
acrolein was not present in detectable levels. and formaldehyde was present
in very low levels (less than 5 ppb). More data needs to be collected on
other types of aircraft to confirm that VOCs are not a significant health
hazard onboard commercial aircraft. 6
4.8 Notwithstanding this comment, on 13 March 2000, during his appearance
before the inquiry, Dr Jean Christophe Balouet criticised the study by ASHRAE and
noted:
W. Mark Pierce and others, Air Quality On Commercial Aircraft, ASHRAE Journal, September 1999,
4
p 26
Submission 25, ASHRAE, Enclosure D, p 44
5
Submission 25, ASHRAE, Enclosure D, p 45
6
55
I think you need to understand that ASHRAE is not taking action on this
issue (fumes on aircraft). You need to know too that the composition of the
Standard Project Committee is under complete reconstruction as ASHRAE
found that the committee was totally unbalanced. In fact, out of 16
members, basically two or three may have been representing the users and
all the others were representing the industry. It is not the practice in
ASHRAE to have such biased committees. So this committee will be totally
restructured, starting in the next meeting in June 2000.7
Study of toxic fumes on BAe 146 aircraft in Australia and conclusions
4.9 British Aerospace noted that three independent analyses of the air supply on
the BAe 146 aircraft have been carried out and no specific health or toxicity issues
have been identified with the aircraft air supply. 8
4.10 In its written submission British Aerospace advised that:
In 1992 Dr V. Vasak conducted an analysis of air in BAe 146 aircraft
operated by Eastwest Airlines (now part of Ansett Australia). The report
stated that there was no evidence which would support the opinion that
reported cabin odour would have lasting adverse health effects on flight
crew or passengers ... .
In 1996 Chris van Netten of the British Colombia University conducted a
comparison of air quality in various types in the Air BC fleet. No health or
toxicity issues were identified and his published report stated that the air
quality of a normal BAe l 46 compared favourably with that of a Dash 8
aircraft not associated with cabin air problems....
In 1997 Allied Signal in conjunction with Ansett undertook toxicity testing
on Ansett aircraft. The report concluded that the air supply was within
safety limits. ...9
4.11 The Committee notes also a section of the report by Dr Vasak dated 16 May
1992:
In the case of justified medical concern following a continuing inhalation
exposure to the contaminated air...some biological tests may be of help (eg:
inhibition of cholinesterase in a case of proven exposure of a toxic
organophosphate).10
7 Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 179
Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 1; see also British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 222
8
Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 2; see also report prepared for Dr D Davis of Ansett by Scientific
9
Services of the Queensland Department of Health dated 15 December 1997 set out in Submission 18,
Ansett Pilots Association; see British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 87.
Submission 14B, AFAP, p 27
10
56
4.12 In a supplementary submission to the inquiry British Aerospace attached a
copy of a report titled "Air Quality Testing Aboard Ansett Airlines BAe 146 Aircraft"
dated 25 November 1997 prepared by Richard Fox of Allied Signal Aerospace. This
report contained the following statement:
Generally, levels of VOCs in the air supplied to the cabin are very low,
when compared with other models of aircraft in use. Contamination
originating in the aircraft air-supply system is similar to that seen in
airframes of other manufacturing origin.11
4.13 The Richard Fox report went on to advise:
The quality of the supply of air for the cabin and cockpit is within safety
limits. Based on the filter analysis, there is no evidence to back claims of
triorthocresyl phosphate exposure. 12
4.14 During evidence to the inquiry Mr Bill Black of British Aerospace
commented:
The additional testing, which has been done by Richard Fox of Allied Signal
and by Van Netten for Air BC, have provided additional sampling and
additional evidence. They all conclude conclusively that there is no
evidence whatsoever of harmful chemicals in the cabin of the BAe 146.13
4.15 In relation to the reference to Professor van Netten, the Committee notes
evidence quoted earlier in the report that no such conclusions could be drawn from
Professor Van Netten's research which he considered had been selectively quoted.14
4.16 The Committee also notes evidence from Dr Winder, which argues that the
testing upon which BA and the airlines base their arguments - that there is no presence
of dangerous levels of chemicals in cabin air - are inadequate for a variety of reasons
including:
no tests have been performed at altitude during serious leak incidents;
?br>
no clinical tests have been performed on affected crew immediately
?br>
following serious leak incidents; and
testing equipment is not sensitive enough to detect the isomers, which
?br>
may be harmful to human health.15
Report by Allied Signal Aerospace, Air Quality Testing Aboard Ansett Airlines BAe 146 Aircraft, 25
11
November 1997 p 7, set out in Submission 11A, British Aerospace.
Report by Allied Signal Aerospace, Air Quality Testing Aboard Ansett Airlines BAe 146 Aircraft, 25
12
November 1997 p 10-12, set out in Submission 11A, British Aerospace.
British Aerospace, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 89
13
14 See paragraph 2.83
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 15
15
57
4.17 The Committee notes that Ansett contests the assertion that their equipment is
not sensitive enough. The committee inspected the equipment at Ansett's
Occupational Health and Safety Centre in Melbourne. The Committee is appreciative
of the cooperation of Ansett at every point with the Inquiry and of their willingness to
make equipment and senior staff available.
4.18 In relation to carbon dioxide the Fox report advised that although levels of
CO2 in the main cabin of the BAe 146 were very low, compared to other aircraft
carbon dioxide levels in the aft gallery could be high due to the presence of dry ice. It
was noted in the report that high carbon dioxide levels, coupled with low humidity,
could cause the sensation of burning eyes, as well as muscle aches, headaches, and so
on.16
4.19 In evidence to the inquiry on 1 May 2000 Captain Jensen of Ansett advised
that:
115 air samples were taken by flight attendants in air sampling devices
designed by Ansett and approved by the Australian Government Analytical
Laboratories. This enabled us to capture air for testing at the precise
moment an odour was detected. In all the chemicals identified, all levels
measured were less than one-tenth of the maximum levels set for safe
exposure. More were less than one-thousandth of the maximum levels set.
These levels were set by government regulation.
We have also installed carbon monoxide detectors on all BAe 146s in the
fleet. The results show that the carbon monoxide levels on board are
insignificant.17
4.20 On 1 May Dr David Lewis, Chief Medical Officer with Ansett, advised that
there was:
... concern, particularly amongst pregnant flight attendants, that there were
raised carbon monoxide levels. We put carbon monoxide data loggers in
every aircraft. A data logger measures carbon monoxide literally every
second. If it detects any, it measures at half a second. If it detects an
appreciable level, it charts it at every quarter of a second. This is down
loaded onto a lap top and sent back to us in Melbourne to analyse. The
graphs are quite remarkable. They are: zero, zero, zero, spike, zero, zero,
zero, spike. And when we put this against the time tapes of what the aircraft
were doing, we found zero for flying and spikes for when you open the door
in the airport, where there was carbon monoxide from the engines of other
vehicles and aircraft. It is at standard levels at airports. We found zero in
flight for all the aircraft for a period of over nine months.18
Report by Allied Signal Aerospace, Air Quality Testing Aboard Ansett Airlines BAe 146 Aircraft,
16
25 November 1997 p 11, set out in Submission 11A, British Aerospace.
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 55; see also Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p
17
241
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 252
18
58
4.21 On 25 March 1998 an external panel of specialists released a consensus
statement to Ansett dealing with odour occurrences on the BAe 146. This statement
read in part:
The panel reviewed and discussed the comprehensive information provided
and is of the opinion that the air conditioning contaminants at the levels
detected for both in-flight, and the worst case scenario of pack burn offs',
will not cause long term health effects. The panel accepts that short term
symptoms associated with odours that have been reported on the BAe 146
and other types are substantiated - These have been generally linked with
inadequate ventilation together with aircraft system defects. ...
The panel finds that the low levels of detected exposure to all the measured
chemical contaminants are not a threat to the health of aircrew or
passengers. In particular these pose no carcinogenic, mutaqenic, teratogenic
or cumulative toxicological hazard.
Contaminant levels were found to be well below the internationally accepted
occupational health standards and cannot precipitate any chronic disorders.
The possibility that these odour exposure events could cause flight crew
incapacitation was considered. All the measured levels were hundreds to
thousands of times below those levels known to cause acute neurotoxic
sequel.19
4.22 Captain Jensen told the inquiry on 1 May 2000 that "... the panel accepted
that there were short-term symptoms of an irritant nature associated with odours but
said no cumulative effects are known to any of the chemicals detected at the levels
measured."20
4.23 Mr Ivor Williams of British Aerospace told the inquiry on 10 April 2000:
What we are proud of is the fact that the contaminants that they found in the
system are incredibly low, way below the maximum levels that are
permitted by the authorities. They compare very favourably with WorkSafe
and occupational health and safety levels.21
4.24 Qantas in its submission to the inquiry commented:
Qantas has been aware of a number of issues in the past relating to the cabin
environment of the BAe 146, and has taken a number of initiatives to
address them:
(a) ... The data available clearly demonstrates that the level of contaminants
were well below Work Safe Australia standards and in some cases. are of
the type found in many environments.
Attachment to Submission 17, Judy Cullinane
19
20 Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 243
British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 238
21
59
(b) In December 1998 the Qantas Safety and Environment Department
commissioned its own study, conducted by Australian Environmental
Health Services, which tested the air quality of a Southern BAe 146-200
aircraft. This study confirmed that the level of organic compounds and other
compounds was significantly below the Work Safe Australia standards.22
4.25 Mr David Cox, Group General Manger, Regional Airlines and Fleet Planning
with Qantas told the inquiry:
... the various documents and reports produced by manufacturers, doctors,
academics, airlines and individuals have been evaluated by Qantas staff. It is
the view of Qantas that the information available in these documents
demonstrates that the level of contaminants found in the BAe146 cabin
environment are well below health authority standards. 23
4.26 National Jet Systems was of the view that in its experience "contamination
does not occur at levels which exceed permitted limits". The company submitted that
it had examined the technical reports on trials conducted during 1997 and 1999 into
the levels of contamination on board the BAe 146 and that; " The trial reports
conclude that the various contaminants that can be detected in the air are well below
the limits published by Work Safe Australia."24
4.27 On 10 April 2000 Mr Nottage, Executive Director with NJS, informed the
inquiry:
Having looked at that weight of evidence from all of those reports and then
considering the way the Southern test was done, being in what we class a
worst case situation that could never eventuate mid-flight, where you are
doing a pack burn mid-flight, you had levels that, if memory serves me
correctly, were less than one-tenth of the current allowable occupational
health and safety limits for those chemicals. We believe there is no feasible
way you could get levels in excess of the allowable limits in our cabins.25
4.28 Mr Nottage went on to claim; "We believe that the work we have done puts
our fleet basically as a world leader in this issue."26
4.29 However, The Committee notes a memo to Southern Airlines prepared by
National Jet Systems, a QANTAS contractor, in which manager Barry Lodge warns
staff that:
Submission 21, Qantas, pp 9-10
22
Qantas, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 125
23
Submission 23, NJS, p 1; see also NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 207
24
NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 217
25
NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 218
26
60
Oil fumes ... while medically not harmful can cause irritation of the nose,
throat, eyes and can cause headaches. These effects can be very distracting
and in some circumstances cause a flight safety hazard.27
4.30 The Committee sought a clarification of this issue and received a reply from
Mr Paul Lidbury, General Manager E & M and Business Planning, QANTAS, which
said, in part:
The complex nature of commercial aircraft operations means that many
flight safety hazards exist, they may be technical, environmental or as a
result of human factors. An airline has a duty of care to constantly
investigate and address all hazards that it is aware of.28
Criticisms of tests and studies carried out on the BAe 146 in Australia
4.31 The Australian Federation of Air Pilots was critical of the methods used by
some researchers in examining fumes on board the BAe 146. The AFAP submission
stated:
While Ansett and its expert panel claimed to have reviewed all available
medical and scientific data relating to cabin air contamination, this is clearly
not the case.
There are numerous international studies that demonstrate the effects of
contaminated aircraft air on crew and passenger health and safety. Once
again, the symptoms and exposure environments and background history is
about identical as those being experienced by crew operating the BAe 146.
The effects of chronic exposure to chemicals and particularly cholinesterase
inhibiting organophosphates are identified and fall into the same pattern of
symptoms that are being seen in Australia. The symptoms are generally not
connected to workplace over exposure, and appropriate testing is therefore
not being conducted in the required time frame and format.
Other newer areas of science and medicine, both within Australia and
overseas, including that of low dose long term/ chronic exposure to
chemicals and the common symptom of acquired chemical sensitivity are
clearly available, yet are being ignored by the airline industry, even though
the strong pattern of symptoms occurring both in Australia and overseas
supports this.
Medical data relied upon by the aviation industry concerning the effects of
chemicals is limited as long term effects are denied based upon their own
admission that disease/tissue pathology, although inaccessible in this case, is
the only accepted identifier of long term effects.
`NJS Bae 146 Oil Fumes in Summary ?17 November 1998, Memorandum signed `Barry Lodge, GGM,
27
Aircraft Safety & Regulation, supplementary material lodged with report.
28 Letter dated 2 June 2000 from Paul Lidbury, General Manager, E & M Business Planning, QANTAS,
supplementary material lodged with report.
61
There are a number of medical Professors in Australia who accept that
repeated low dose exposure to certain chemicals can lead to numerous long
term symptoms, chronic fatigue and chemical sensitivity, even though the
etiology of the later 2 are to date unknown. ...29
4.32 The AFAP also called into question the credibility of the "independent
panel's" statement to Ansett dealing with fumes on board the airlines' BAe 146
aircraft. As stated by the AFAP:
Much of the testing is irrelevant, unsuitable and uses very selective
information and often misinterpreted by Ansett and it's selected external
panel, which is now claimed to be an "Independent expert panel". The six
member Panel is most certainly not independent as it is made up of 2
Workcover consultant Doctors, as well as the principal medical Officer and
senior Industrial Hygienist of Workcover Queensland and one other with
very definite pre-existing conclusions on a number of health matters
involved.30
4.33 The Flight Attendants Association of Australia was of the view that
"... testing of cabin air quality parameters by Ansett has been inadequate or
inconclusive".31
4.34 According to the Association, it:
... then, as now, questions the pertinence of such tests carried out on a
limited number of flights with little or no fume occurrences. That is, the
tests were done on "normal" flights, not on flights with air quality, fume or
odour problems.
At no stage has Ansett ever tested or sampled the air on an aircraft with a
significant seal failure. 32
4.35 The FAAA submitted that the sampling kits used by Ansett on the BAe 146
aircraft;
.... worked on rare occasions due to the seal required on the vacuum
contained within being hard to maintain in a non-laboratory situation ... The
failure rate of the kits was so high that with hundreds of attempted
samplings, only 57 successful samples could be analysed.33
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 7
29
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 10
30
Submission 24, FAAA, p 1
31
Submission 24, FAAA, p 1
32
Submission 24, FAAA, pp 5-6
33
62
4.36 Dr Chris Winder was critical of the studies and tests conducted in relation to
fumes on board the BAe 146 aircraft and the effect of exposure to these fumes on
aircrew. In Dr Winder's view it is difficult to extract useful information from these
studies and that the methodological considerations indicated that many of the studies
were flawed. For example, according to the Dr Winder:
Any sampling method that relies on sample collection of an air sample
containing a mist, and analysis of a residual vapour (when all the mist has
settled) could underestimate exposure by orders of magnitude.... Tricresyl
phosphates are detected only in a method where the entire sample is
captured and not allowed to disperse... 34
4.37 Dr Winder was critical of the survey methods used by Ansett and its findings:
In the main, these surveys use inadequate methods or inappropriate
technologies to measure for all toxic contaminants. ... Further, collection of
contaminated air into sample containers for subsequent analysis underrates
the problem, as mist particles will settle and coalesce on the walls of the
container, leaving only small amounts of vapour to be analysed at a later
date. Further and perhaps most critically, there has never been a monitoring
survey conducted during a leak event to actually identify what the actual
contaminants might be. 35
4.38 Dr Winder detailed what he saw as the methodological problems with these
studies, namely:
the monitoring was carried out using inappropriate conditions, such as
?br>
testing at ground level;
the monitoring was carried out using inappropriate methods, such as
?br>
analyses of samples collected in summa canisters or Tedlar bags, when
mists could coalesce onto the surface of the sample container;
storage of sample containers was too long (for example, over 72 hours
?br>
after sample collection when some compounds could be lost, or
semi-volatile compounds would adhere to the inside of the bag); some
studies are not relevant to the BAe 146, or to Mobil Jet Oil II;
little evidence is presented to indicate if monitoring was carried out after
?br>
scheduled maintenance, or seal, oil or filter changes, so it is difficult to
assess whether the monitoring was representative of typical exposures;
most importantly, no monitoring was conducted out at a time when an
?br>
odour incident had occurred.36
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 11
34
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, pp 5, see also 13-14
35
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 11, see also pp 14-15
36
63
4.39 Dr Winder argued that:
Airline claims that the results of monitoring indicate that exposures are
within recommended exposure standards and that there is no problem are
nonsensical. Survey methods are inadequate and the results severely
underestimate exposure. ... Air monitoring does not measure skin exposure
at all and therefore exposure from another route is completely ignored.
Lastly, and perhaps most critically in this particular area, is that the
operation of exposure standards is not allowed at altitude. So statements that
exposure standards are being met go beyond what the exposure standards
bodies recommend that they be used for.37
Response to criticisms of current Australian testing methods
4.40 Dr Lewis of Ansett told the inquiry in evidence that Tedlar bags used during
the tests on the BAe 146 were:
... closed off and returned to Melbourne and tested by the Australian
Government Analytical Laboratories. The testing procedure for volatile
organic compounds, which is what we were looking for, was approved by
the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories.38
4.41 Dr Lewis went on to state:
... Allied Signal, the manufacturers of the engines and the APU, ... came
out and did extensive testing in summa canisters - another more expensive
way of testing - and took the results back to the States where they met all the
American standards for testing. Thirdly, we had Dr Lee from the
Queensland Health Scientific Services, who had a real time gas
chromatograph. This was real time analysis that he could do on flights and
on the ground. He also used a liquid nitrogen entrapment thing which
actually sucked the cabin air through a flask of liquid nitrogen. Every
molecule was frozen and sealed off and then taken back to the Queensland
gas chromatography laboratories and tested. Additionally, very early on,
Professor Vasak from Sydney together with New South Wales Workcover
laboratories did swabs and air testing by separate methods. The numbers
were small admittedly, but that was our first try at analysis. With the
number of samples we have taken, approved by governments and done by
government agencies, I fail to see that this was an unreliable test method.39
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 5, see also pp 13-14
37
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 59
38
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 59; see also Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000,
39
p 251
64
4.42 In response to claims that some tests on the BAe 146 were not conducted at
high altitudes but on the ground Mr David Villiers of CASA told the inquiry:
If you run the engines on the ground at the appropriate power with the
airconditioning systems on it makes no difference, because the fumes will
come through the aircraft on the ground as if it were in the air.40 ...
Where these fumes have been generated is inside the engine and, while there
may be some minor differences, the temperature changes from ambient to
the inside of the engine are very significant. While they will be different
altitude, I do not think they are going to make a great deal of difference to
what we are looking at. 41
New testing program by British Aerospace
4.43 On 10 April 2000 Mr Bruce Jones of British Aerospace advised the inquiry:
... we are developing our own test program to enable us to develop further
data on any potential contaminants in the cabin air supply. The intention is
to use a portable detector to carry out a series of controlled measurements of
the cabin air environment, having introduced known quantities of specific
contaminants into the airconditioning system of a non-service - or test
aircraft. This will enable us to build up a profile of the signature of each
potential contaminant at each stage of flight. The detector can then be used
by individual operators to determine the precise profile of any
contamination suspected on a particular aircraft. This should enable more
precise corrective maintenance action to be taken and may also identify any
further design enhancements which can be introduced.42
Australian attempts to resolve the problem of fumes on the BAe 146
4.44 In the Occurrence Brief dealing with an incident involving Captain Frank
Kolver published by the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation in early September 1999
and dealt with in detail later in this report, it was noted that:
As a result of testing and research, operators undertook a number of
corrective maintenance actions and modifications to BAe 146 aircraft in the
Australian fleet in an attempt to mitigate odour occurrences within the
cabin. These actions included more frequent air filter cleaning, replacement
of APUs with an alternative unit, modifications to APUs to improve
ventilation in and around the unit and associated air intakes, assessment of
filter life, air duct cleaning, and the replacement of ducts likely to trap oily
deposits. The air conditioning packs were also "burnt out" on a daily basis.
This procedure was intended to increase pack operating temperatures in an
attempt to burn off any remaining oil residues within the air conditioning
CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 45; see also Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, p 69
40
CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 45
41
British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 223
42
65
system, but was discontinued by Australian operators because it apparently
caused deterioration of the packs. There was also an increase in the
frequency of engine oil seal inspections and replacement.43
Actions taken by Ansett
4.45 On 2 November 1999 Ansett detailed to the inquiry the initiatives it had taken
to deal with the issue of fumes on its BAe 146 aircraft. Captain Jensen advised this
Committee:
To the best of our knowledge, we have done more than any other airline in
the world, including the four other BAe 146 operators in Australia, to
address this issue and the improvements we have made to our fleet of 13
aircraft ensures air quality aboard Ansett's fleet is superior to that of the
other 20 BAe 146s operating in Australia. ...
When the first odour reports came from East West crew in 1991, full
medical examinations were arranged for the flight attendants who reported
fume exposure at the time. An occupational medical consultant found no
associated health risks. Since then, we have worked with a large number of
external experts and we have sought to involve our staff and their unions
throughout the process. ...
We have also taken care to communicate with our people. We have
provided not only written material but also briefing sessions around the
country. This has given our people information and the opportunity to ask
questions and to provide feedback. ...
Ansett's BAe 146 Odour Inquiry Committee was established as a problem
solving committee. It comprised representatives of all relevant departments
of the airline as well as the Flight Attendants Association of Australia, the
FAAA; the Ansett Pilots Association, the APA; and representation from
British Aerospace. The committee oversaw a number of initiatives. ...
A network of doctors was made accessible for timely medical assessment of
any crew member suspected of being affected by odour exposure.
Practitioners were given a brief on the issue but were not constrained in any
way by Ansett in the performance of their duties. A cabin air sampling
program was also undertaken ...
We also sought to involve external expertise. This included Professor Vlad
Vasak, an aviation occupational hygienist, and the New South Wales
WorkCover laboratories that conducted air and ventilation duct sampling on
the aircraft; Richard Fox of AlliedSignal - the manufacturer of the engine
and the auxiliary power unit, APU conducted comprehensive air quality
testing in-flight and on the ground; George Lee of the Queensland Health
Scientific Services conducted ground and in-flight air sampling using a real-
43 BASI Occurrence Brief 199702276 (on Internet site) incident involving Captain Kolver on 10 July 1997,
p 3.
66
time gas chromatograph and a novel liquid nitrogen device; Dr Rob Liddell,
the former medical director of the Aviation Safety Authority, flew with and
interviewed over 80 flight attendants and pilots; an independent panel of
experts with toxicological, immunological and occupational medicine
expertise was convened to review all of the extensive data available; and
Professor Westerman of Monash University carried out a study of the
effects of low level carbon monoxide on pregnancy.44
4.46 Captain Jensen told the inquiry on 1 May 2000 that, "... Ansett has not only
improved cabin air quality on aircraft but has also collated arguably the most detailed
set of data on BAe 146 air quality anywhere in the world."45
4.47 Ansett claims that it has pioneered the development of engineering
modifications and procedures to address cabin air quality in the BAe 146 aircraft.
Engineering enhancements include:
engine and auxiliary power unit modifications to prevent oil and/or APU
?br>
exhaust leaking into the air conditioning system, and
modifications to the air conditioning system to improve airflow in the
?br>
cabin.46
4.48 According to Ansett; "These modifications have resulted in a significant
reduction in the number of reported odour occurrences." 47
4.49 On 1 May 2000 Captain Jensen advised the inquiry that Ansett estimated the
cost of the modifications it had made to its BAe 146 aircraft and other in house
activities and initiatives related to dealing with air quality on these aircraft to be in the
"vicinity of $7 million".48
4.50 On 13 March 2000 Mr Mick Toller, the Director of Aviation Safety with the
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, brought the inquiry up to date concerning progress on
modifications being made to engines on Ansett's BAe 146 aircraft when he stated:
Ansett now have 12 aircraft in their fleet. I think they had 13 probably when
they appeared before you, but they are now down to 12. All of those aircraft
have had their APUs modified. I understand that, of the 60 engines that they
have, one engine still has all the modifications outstanding so there has not
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 2 November 1999, pp 53-54. Captain Jensen went on to advise that all of
44
these experts had concluded that the aircraft was "... well within safety standards and that there is no
serious health hazards associated with exposure to BAe 146 cabin air." Ansett Australia, Evidence,
2 November 1999, p 54
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 200
45
Submission 22, Ansett Australia, p 4; see also Steve Creedy, Air of Mystery, Weekend Australian,
46
11 September 1999.
Submission 22, Ansett Australia, p 4
47
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 243
48
67
been anything done to it. One has two of the modifications outstanding; four
just have one outstanding. So of the 60 engines, 53 have been fully modified
and, of the aircraft modifications, eight have been completed or, for various
reasons, do not require modification because they were built later. The
remaining four are due to be modified by the end of October 2000.49
4.51 British Aerospace told the inquiry:
During 1998 British Aerospace and Ansett reviewed a number of options to
enhance the working environment within the vestibule (galley) area of the
BAe 46. Subsequently optional modifications have been introduced as
follows:
- Removal of potential odours from the toilet compartment and the
reduction in carbon dioxide levels (caused by the use of dry ice) by
installing an electrically operated toilet extraction system.
- Improved air movement in the vestibule (galley) through an additional
air outlet in the forward and rear vestibule.
- Improved lighting within the vestibule area.
- Extension of the conditioned air tubes in order to provide air outlets in
the roof panels between the overhead luggage lockers.50
4.52 In evidence to the inquiry on 10 April by Mr Ivor Williams of British
Aerospace made the significant admission that modifications undertaken on BAe 146
aircraft in Australia would not solve entirely the problem of fumes entering these
aircraft. Mr Williams stated:
We all acknowledge, and we have acknowledged it here tonight, that the
modifications will not solve the problem completely. They are to reduce the
number of events, and that is what is important.51
Comment on Ansett's actions on the BAe
4.53 A former employee of BASI, Mr Clive Phillips, told the inquiry:
... we found that the work that was being conducted by Ansett and their
approach to the problem of this aeroplane was a bit unique. They had put
together special committees. The amount of attention that they spent on this
aircraft went way beyond its value within the fleet. It was obvious to me that
they were concerned about the health and safety issue.52
CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 184
49
Submission 11, British Aerospace, p 3
50
British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 236
51
Mr Clive Phillips, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 122
52
68
4.54 Mr Phillips went on to state in relation to the report of fumes on the BAe 146
aircraft; "... They obviously took those very seriously and were working within their
own organisation but also with British Aerospace to carry out tests which did find a
lot of deficiencies in the aircraft, and they are working to overcome those deficiencies
to try and improve it." 53
4.55 In evidence to the inquiry the Ansett Pilots Association expressed strong
support for the actions taken by Ansett to deal with the problem of fumes on the BAe
146. Mr Michael Egan of the Association stated:
... based on the reports that we have received from our members who
operate the British Aerospace 146 aircraft, that the actions that Ansett
Australia has taken to improve the quality of air provided to the cabin and
cockpit of the aircraft have been very successful. Over recent months, we
have received no complaints of fumes in the cabins or cockpits of British
Aerospace 146 aircraft. On questioning crews, we have been informed that
mild cabin smells have been noticed on a small number of flights and that
the aircraft in question has had engineering attention at the first available
moment to investigate the source of the odour. These odour occurrences
generally appear to be related to the efficiency of the cabin air filtration
systems fitted by Ansett Australia. As noted in the Queensland Government
Health Department report, these filters are very efficient at reducing
contaminants and it becomes difficult to relate a smell event to an engine
event. Apart from a major component failure, such as a bearing seal failure
that will overcome the filters, the filters provide a significant safety circuit.
The completion of the aircraft modifications and the current continuing
monitoring of the aircraft air quality seems to be keeping occurrences of
contamination of cabin air on the 146 Ansett Australia aircraft to a
minimum.54
4.56 Mr Egan later went on to comment:
It would appear that the unmodified British Aerospace 146 seemed
susceptible to poorer than normal air quality and that this air appeared to
contain a number of contaminants that affected to varying degrees the crew
and passengers that they carried. The Ansett Pilots Association believes that
the modifications that Ansett Australia has carried out on its British
Aerospace 146 aircraft and the ongoing preventive and reactionary
maintenance program that Ansett Australia has put into place has
significantly reduced the frequency and severity of cabin odours in these
aircraft. 55
and:
Mr Clive Phillips, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 123
53
Ansett Pilots Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 163
54
Ansett Pilots Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 163
55
69
I think Ansett has been very good about this whole issue. They have
investigated a number of different ways of handling the problem. They have
looked for pilot input into better ways of operating the aeroplane that may
not cause fume smells. They have always been interested in reports of any
occasion when there is a smell. I think they have been very proactive. 56
Actions taken by Qantas and National Jet Systems Pty Ltd
4.57 According to National Jet Systems Pty Ltd maintenance and operating
procedures have been developed in concert with British Aerospace to enhance the
quality of the cabin air in the BAe 146. These initiatives included:
frequent overhaul of the air-conditioning packs;
?br>
installation of improved engine oil seals; and
?br>
changed Auxiliary Power Unit air switching procedures.57
?br>
4.58 Captain John Siebert of NJS told the Committee on 1 February 2000:
To update the committee on the progress of our efforts to improve the
quality of the cabin air in the 146, I can report that all of the engines have
now been modified with new and improved bearing oil seals. Modifications
are being incorporated into the distribution pipes, which will improve the
cabin air circulation patterns. Those are the pipes that I understand the
senators had a look at in Brisbane. They are exactly the same as the ones
going into our fleet. These modifications are part of an ongoing process that
applies to all areas of the aircraft. Operating procedures have been adjusted
so that descents are flown with engine thrust levels at above flight idle. In
addition, the APU air supply is selected at a late stage during the approach
to landing. Both of these measures have proved to be quite beneficial.
A major leap forward in the reliability of the engine oil seals can be
identified as a result of the Allied Signal, which is now Honeywell, XRP
extended reliability program for the engines, and the decision by NJS to
send the engines back to the manufacturer's Phoenix Arizona facility for all
the overhauls. During the overhauls all of the bearing oil seals are replaced
by new parts rather than being reinstalled after the existing seals have been
inspected.58
4.59 On 13 March 2000 during a public hearing in Canberra Mr Toller of CASA
advised the inquiry:
National Jet Systems have a total of 21 aircraft. I think they probably had 20
before. ... Only four of those aircraft have been modified for the aircraft
Ansett Pilots Association, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 165
56
Submission 23, NJS, p 1; see also Qantas, Evidence, 1 February 2000, pp 126 - 130
57
NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 134
58
70
modifications (sic). However, our information on the engine modifications
is that they only have four engines that remain to be modified. I think there
is only one APU in National Jet that is outstanding. That is the latest
information that we have been given. National Jet are talking about the
aircraft modification being complete by mid-2001, so they appear to be
about nine months behind Ansett on the completion of modification.59
4.60 On 10 April 2000 Captain Siebert told the inquiry, "NJS modifications to the
auxiliary power units and the engines are substantially complete and, indeed, they are
well ahead of other operators of this type of air craft."60
4.61 On 2 February 2000, Captain Frank Kolver, a First Officer with National Jet
Systems became the first pilot to give evidence publicly on the fumes issue. Captain
Kolver told the Committee:
... I was certainly pleased to see that each time we reported oil fumes our
company went to considerable lengths to rectify the problem. As I said
before, many engine changes had been done at considerable cost to the
company. I know they are trying to improve the quality of the oil seal.61
Criticism of airline measures to address the fumes issue
4.62 Captain Kolver also informed the Committee that he believed exposure to
fumes on the BAe 146 were the cause of his medium to long-term health problems
and that he was incapacitated a second time after being exposed to fumes on a BAe
146 following the BASI report. In his evidence, Captain Kolver told the Committee he
had not donned an oxygen mask when suffering ill effects from exposure to fumes
because he had been assured by his safety manager, Mr Barry Lodge, that the fumes
were not harmful. He also informed the Committee he suffered headaches and nausea
and chemical sensitivity for periods between 10 days and two months after being
exposed to fumes on a BAe. He gave an opinion that the problem stemmed from a
"design problem with the engine".62
4.63 The Australian Federation of Air Pilots in its submission criticised the
Australian airline industry for the manner in which it has dealt with the problem of
fumes on the BAe 146. Set out below are a number of quotes from the AFAP
exhibiting its views:
.... the airline industry has failed to deal with this issue effectively and
adequately and often used non-independent sources, misinterpretation of
data, limited data, or often outdated and irrelevant information. Symptoms
encountered and effects upon aircraft safety, have often been ignored, so as
CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 184
59
NJS, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 205; see also p 209
60
NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 149
61
Captain Kover, Evidence, 2 February 2000, pp 146-147
62
71
to reduce that apparent extent of the problem. While crew who have been
effected to a more serious longer term degree have been isolated so as to
ensure no long term nexus is made between aircraft fumes and occupational
health issues. ....
While one of the airlines involved indicates that the acknowledged problem
has been fixed, exposure incidents have continued to occur within the
Australian BAe 146 fleet. It has only been through the efforts of concerned
crew that the issue, has been investigated.63...
Ansett claims to have rectified the technical problem, via a series of
modifications, yet it is understood that exposures have since occurred at
Ansett as well as NJS where these modifications have not taken place. 64 ...
While reviewing their own product/service, they have clearly placed priority
on the issues of commercial, financial operations, liability and others, over
work health and safety issues.
The recognition of the problem by industry has only developed as pressure
has increased from growing numbers of effected crew, though limited to
short-term health effects only, so as to reduce possible ramifications from
such an acknowledgement. 65 ...
... the issue of air contamination in the 146 cabin has now been accepted by
Ansett associated with reported short-term symptoms. The commercial,
operational and legal implications of recognising the full extent of the
problem involving contaminated air on the BAe 146 would appear to be the
reason the issue has not been resolved. 66 ...
While the airlines have a clear duty of care to the operating crew in the
workplace, as well as passengers, the commercial and operational
considerations necessary to keep the aircraft flying, have in all cases limited
the airline view of the extent of the problem and taken priority over the clear
safety issues and subsequent short, medium and longer term health effects
experienced by the crew. The issue has only been further investigated
because the crews effected have suffered such extreme hardship as well as
in flight safety hazards, that they have sought further recognition. 67
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 2
63
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 5
64
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 8
65
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 10
66
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 11
67
72
4.64 The AFAP was highly critical of the performance of Ansett's "expert
committee" claiming that:
... material being collected has delivered a result that was wanted. It was not
considering alternative arguments that were being put to get a proper
balanced result.68
4.65 In his evidence to the inquiry on 1 May 2000 Captain Jensen of Ansett
commented on the AFAP's views:
... the AFAP does not represent any air crew - pilots or flight attendants -
employed by Ansett Holdings. Indeed, the AFAP has not participated in any
research or evaluation conducted by Ansett and has never been provided
with official documentation by authorised officers of the company. Any
comments provided by the AFAP relating to Ansett or its employees can, at
best, be viewed as hearsay or supposition.69
4.66 The Committee understands that the AFAP represented Ansett pilots prior to
the 1989 pilots dispute whereupon it ceased to represent pilots employed by the two
major airlines. The AFAP has members flying with regional airlines including
Southern and National Jet Systems.70 In relation to Captain Jensen's assertion that the
AFAP has not been given official Ansett documentation relating to the BAe issue, this
is at odds with the appendixed information attached to the AFAP submissions 14A
and 14B, which refer to internal and external Ansett documentation, as well as
academic, industry and staff literature produced on the BAe 146 issue in Australia and
overseas.71 Therefore the Committee does not accept Captain Jensen's assertion that
the AFAP's evidence is `based on hearsay'.
4.67 It is the view of Dr Winder that although airlines in Australia knew about the
problems of fumes on the BAe 146 since at least 1992:
... attempts to deal with the situation, such as establishing an odour
committee or "panel of experts" seem to be more about addressing industrial
relations issues, rather than establishing genuine efforts to rectify the
problem through design or engineering solutions.72
4.68 Dr Winder argued that attempts by Ansett to deal with the problem of fumes
were and are ,"reactive and piecemeal" due to:
AFAP, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 116
68
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 244
69
Australian Federation of Air Pilots, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 113
70
Submission 14B, Australian Federation of Air Pilots, pp 14-17
71
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 6
72
73
minimal compliance with maintenance requirements, for example, no
?br>
consideration is given to the maintenance requirements of ageing
aircraft;
attitudes which place pressure to fly aircraft over the health of staff; and
?br>
the unimportance that the airlines give to staff complaints about air
?br>
quality.73
4.69 However, Dr Winder admitted in evidence that he was unsure as to whether
the modifications carried out on Ansett BAe 146 aircraft complied with regulatory
requirements and he did not know if they had been evaluated for effectiveness.74
4.70 The Committee notes evidence from British Aerospace that the modifications
are only intended in an experimental capacity and aim to reduce, not eliminate the rate
of fume incidents.75
4.71 A confidential submission by a former BAe 146 Captain to the inquiry stated;
"Ansett have only attempted to play down any problems due to the odours and it
appears that commercial considerations rather than providing a safe working
environment for staff as well as the travelling public is their prime priority."76
4.72 The Flight Attendants Association of Australia was also critical of the
modifications carried out on Ansett BAe 146 aircraft:
Since the Fox Report Ansett has made some modifications to airflow in this
area, however these modifications have proved ineffective (numbers of
Fume Reports have not decreased) or have proven impractical and have had
to be reversed (extraction fans in the toilet caused the smoke alarm to
malfunction).
It is also of note that Ansett's modification to the cabin ventilation system;
the repositioning of air vents to higher on the interior fuselage, was
completed by August 99 as planned. This did not produce any noticeable
reduction in fume reports.
Ansett has not done any follow-up testing to determine whether total
contaminant levels are now within Safety Standard limits.77
4.73 In evidence to the inquiry on 2 February 2000 Mr Brendan Treston of the
FAAA commented:
Submission 6, Associate Professor Chris Winder, p 2
73
Associate Professor Chris Winder, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 5
74
British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 229
75
Confidential submission C6
76
Submission 24, FAAA, p 11; see also Submission 17, Judy Cullinane, p 57.
77
74
The current system of modifications which Ansett has put into the aircraft, it
must be remembered, are experimental modifications. Ansett does not know
in advance that that will fix the problem. Nor does any other operator. It is
trialing this as another way of attempting to fix the problem. ... We will be
convinced that this is a total fix when the fume reports dry up and the flight
attendants no longer ring us up wanting to be removed from duty on the
aircraft, and fume reports stop coming in. Then we will know that the
modifications programs have been effective. Until then, as far as we are
concerned it is still in the experimental.78
4.74 With regard to the Ansett Odour Inquiry Committee referred to earlier in this
chapter, the Committee notes evidence from a flight attendant, who served on this
committee, that the Committee was wound up for unexplained reasons without
completing its investigations.79
4.75 The AFAP was critical of the work done by NJS and Qantas in relation to
dealing with fumes on the BAe 146. The Federation told the inquiry:
National Jet Systems appears to have done no independent testing or
research itself, but has rather made an arrangement with Ansett to share
information and test results.
Southern Australia maintenance and certain other expertise are undertaken
by National Jet Systems as both operate the 146 within the Qantas group,
and is believed to have undertaken some limited air sampling of its own, yet
using procedures similar to those at Ansett.80
CASA's support for airline action
4.76 In its submission to the inquiry CASA endorsed the initiatives undertaken by
both Qantas and Ansett to deal with the problem of fumes on their BAe 146 aircraft.
CASA stated it:
... is entirely satisfied that the BAe 146 aircraft in service with QANTAS
and Ansett are safe for public transport and that the airlines have discharged
their responsibilities to the public and regulator in maintaining the aircraft to
the standards required. ... CASA commends the responsible attitude
demonstrated by the two Australian major carriers for their open and
comprehensive research into the cabin environment on their aircraft. The
research conducted by the two operators, particularly Ansett, is probably the
most intensive ever carried out on in-service aircraft anywhere in the world
and will certainly be used in setting even higher standards for future
airliners.81
FAAA, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 138
78
See Submission 17, Ms Judy Cullinane.
79
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 10
80
Submission 20, CASA, p 5
81
75
4.77 Mr Mick Toller, of CASA, told the inquiry during a public hearing on
13 March 2000:
It is interesting to us that on a first analysis the level of incidents in Ansett
seems to have decreased significantly, to the extent that with their modified
aircraft I do not believe we have had a single result yet of an incident that is
attributable to smoke or fumes in an Ansett modified aircraft.82
4.78 However the Committee has received advice that many continuing reports of
fume incidents on modified Ansett aircraft have been reported to Ansett. 83
CASA's view on the significance of fumes on-board the aircraft
4.79 CASA outlined in its submission its views on the issue of air quality on the
BAe 146 aircraft. According to the Authority:
A team of Australian medical experts has reviewed the test methods and
results and has declared that there is no contaminant present in the cabin
environment that will induce any long term or permanent effects on the
passengers or crews. In particular, at no time was tricresylphosphate ever
identified in any sample gathered in an Australian aircraft.
The subject of "smells" in the cabin is most frequently the trigger for
complaints from the crews and passengers and the source, apparently, of
their discomfort. The air quality of so-called "smelly" aircraft has been
carefully analysed and the results were found to be no different, chemically,
from the other aircraft types being sampled at the time. ... The medical
teams also noted that the humidity of the cabin air was extremely low (5-
10%) and that this would certainly be a cause for human discomfort.
Modifications to improve cabin air circulation and eliminate stagnant areas
have been introduced by both Australian operators.84
4.80 The claim that TCP has never been found to be present in aircraft cabin air
was also made to the Committee by Dr David Lewis and Dr Loblay. It is incorrect, a
fact later acknowledged by Dr Lewis when questioned in a Committee hearings.85 The
Inquiry Chair referred Dr Lewis to the report done by George Sleigh for Ansett, which
did find TCP present in aircraft cabin air in minute quantities. Dr Lewis replied:
That is right. When you took it back, there was an unmeasurable blip where
the TCP group occurs. When it was analysed further and further--it would
have been meta TCP, which is virtually non-toxic anyway--it was not
CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 182
82
83 Based on the evidence from Ansett that all Ansett passenger aircraft have been modified so any incidents
in the past 6 months have been on modified aircraft see Ansett memo 26 May 2000. The Committee
could refer and quote from incident reports submitted to it in June 2000.
Submission 20, CASA, p 4
84
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 260
85
76
measurable, it was just a little hiccup on the graph. Professor George Sleigh
has written a summary to that effect. We are talking about equipment that
can measure molecules, and when they finally enlarged and enlarged the test
thing it was meta TCP, not ortho and not the others, and it is supposed to be
non-toxic. We have never had a positive TCP ever.86
4.81 The Committee notes that this contrasts with claims that no form of TCP had
ever been detected in BAe 146 aircraft air, although it occurred in minute quantities.
4.82 In his evidence to the inquiry on 13 March 2000 Mr Toller of CASA stated, in
relation to air quality on the BAe 146:
... this is an occupational health and safety issue. We are an aviation safety
regulator. That is not meant to show in any way that we are not tracking the
situation, aware of the situation, or concerned about the situation. But it is
well outside the standard expertise of the aviation regulator who is
concerned about what are, effectively, the short-term to medium-term
effects on aviation safety.87
4.83 The Committee notes however, the reference to the health of pilots as a safety
issue (see CAR 48.0 1.4: and CAR 256: (2) and CAR25.831) on airworthiness and
ventilation and heating (see 1.1) which state that air quality and pilot health extend
beyond `occupational health and safety concerns' as stated by Mr Toller and into the
areas of flight safety and aircraft airworthiness. These references to air quality as
safety and airworthiness issue in the Civil Aviation Act were not addressed by
CASA's evidence to the Inquiry.
CASA's view on the BAe 146
4.84 CASA noted in its submission that it:
... has reviewed the certification of the BAe 146 aircraft and is satisfied that
the aircraft meets the design standards applicable at the time of introduction
of the aircraft into Australian service. Indeed, in the passenger configuration
in which the aircraft are operated in Australia, they meet the latest standards
for conditioned air quality.88
4.85 However the Committee notes evidence from former CASA Airworthiness
Inspector Mr Richard Best. Mr Best told the Committee in his submission that:
It is recommended to the Committee CASA should be required to
independently, obtaining whatever recognised expertise is needed, review
the air contamination as a certification issue so as to ensure the Australian
public and persons involved with the BAe 146 can be assured or have a
level of confidence that the aircraft type is safe.89
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 260
86
87 CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 182
Submission 20, CASA, p 4
88
Submission 30, Mr R Best, p 2
89
77
4.86 CASA has advised the Committee that:
The cabin environment in the BAe 146 aircraft is as chemically clean, if not
cleaner, than other transport aircraft in service today. In terms of national
standards for offices and workplaces, these aircraft are far cleaner (less
contaminated) than their earthbound counterparts.90
Criticism of CASA's approach
4.87 The Australian Federation of Air Pilots was critical of the performance of
CASA in relation to air contamination on the BAe 146. The AFAP argues that this
contamination represents a breach of civil aviation regulations. In evidence to the
Committee, the AFAP argued that the aviation industry, including the aircraft
manufacturer, the engine manufacturer and the airlines operating the aircraft were all
aware of this situation. However, according to the AFAP, CASA appears to have
accepted the view expressed by these groups that there is no safety hazard, despite the
fact that civil aviation regulations are not being met.91
4.88 The AFAP's contention that contamination of cabin air represents a potential
breach of civil aviation regulations on air quality, pilot health and aircraft
airworthiness is supported by two other submissions, one from Captain Susan
Michaelis and one from former CASA Airworthiness Inspector, Mr Richard Best.92
4.89 In a submission to the inquiry a former CASA District Airworthiness
Manager at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, Mr Richard Best, told the Committee:
In approximately the middle of 1998 following industry intelligence I made
an internal Risk Observation Report to the appropriate persons in CASA
concerning reports of air contamination leading to medical problems with a
number of Flight Deck and Cabin crew. The numbers were significant and
warranted detailed investigation by CASA. It appears to me that CASA has
not carried out any independent investigations into the situation but has
relied on the reports provided by the operators claiming the situation to be
an occupation health and safety issue as distinct to a safety issue.
In my experience and discussing the issues with industry personnel and
former colleagues I am unable to reconcile the situation and am unable to
differentiate between the two. Surely even a momentary incapacitation of
the pilot in command is a safety issue. The certification standards for the
aircraft require clean air into the cockpit and cabin therefore contamination
of air flowing to these areas with oil mist must be a Certification Issue as
well as a safety issue.93
Submission 20, CASA, p 5
90
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 7; see also Submission 14B, AFAP, p 4
91
Submission 26, Ms Susan Michaelis; Submission 30, Mr Richard Best.
92
Submission 30, Mr Richard Best, pp 1-2
93
78
4.90 Mr Best was directly involved in assessing the BAe 146 for a certificate of
airworthiness for a BAe 146 300 series aircraft operated by East West Airlines in
approximately 1990. On 13 October 1998 Mr Best, submitted a Risk Observation
Report dealing with the BAe 146 aircraft through CASA's South Australian District
Office. The report was passed onto Mr David Villiers, Acting General Manager
Airworthiness via e-mail. According to CASA: "Mr Villiers was responsible for the
aircraft certification and airworthiness policy of the aircraft, and was the CASA
Officer primarily responsible for actioning Mr Best's Report." 94
4.91 In evidence to the inquiry on 17 August 2000 Mr Best stated:
... I became aware of problems with clean air in the BAe 146 because of
consultation with two ladies who had been adversely affected by the air
quality in the 146. As a consequence of that, I made a submission internally
within CASA to bring it to the appropriate attention of the people that
should know about it.95 ...
4.92 Mr Best went on later in his evidence to comment:
... All I am saying to you is that I was asked about it by two ladies and I
became aware that all these people were affected. I thought it was
appropriate that someone, an independent arbiter, look at the situation. 96
4.93 The following is an extract from Mr Best's Risk Observation Report:
There is an apparent problem with the quality of air in the BAe 146 aircraft
cabin
The report indicates there has been a smell like vomit in the cabin going
back as far as 1992
It is believed NJS raised a memo advising cabin crew as to how to handle
customer complaints
It is also believed air contamination has adversely effected cockpit and
cabin crew- a fact apparently disputed by both the operator and the aircraft
manufacturer
? surveys conducted apparently do not identify the root problem in
distinguishing the contamination components arising from bleed air from
the APU into the cabin
? Mac Robertson of C.O. and Clive Phillips of BASI are aware of the
problem but apparently have not been able to have a high priority
assigned to this situation
94 Correspondence from CASA to the Committee dated 8 September 2000, p 1.
Mr Richard Best, Evidence, 17 August 2000, p 272
95
Mr Richard Best, Evidence, 17 August 2000, p 286
96
79
Action recommended
It is believed the quality of the air to meet certification standards for this
type of aircraft should be tested by "Gas liquid chromatography" to
determine levels of organophosphates and their interaction with
Hydrocarbons/volatile organic compounds in the ambient cabin air97
4.94 Mr Best told the Committee that he received no response, or follow up, from
CASA to this Risk Assessment Report.98
4.95 The Committee was concerned to ascertain CASA's response to Mr Best's
assertions in this matter. In a letter to the Chairman of the Committee dated 8
September 2000 the Director of CASA, Mr Toller, refuted the allegation by Mr Best
that he had not received any response to his report on the BAe 146. Mr Toller stated:
Mr Best received confirmation of the submission of his Report on 13
October 1998, via email from Mr Dick MacKerras.... Mr MacKerras
subsequently requested that Mr Best provide additional information relating
to the submission of the Report, to which Mr Best replied.....
In response to Mr Best's Report submission, Mr Villiers advised Mr Best on
14 October 1998 by email that his Report had been received, and provided
an overview of investigations conducted to that dale by the inclusion of the
brief which had been provided to the CASA Board Safety Committee....
The contact with Mr Best on 13 and 14 October 1998, was considered to be
the closing action of the submitted Report....
A search of CASA's records clearly show that contrary to Mr Best's supplied
evidence (reference RRA&T 272, Thursday 17 August 2000), he did in fact
receive a response to his Risk Observation Report submitted on 13 October
1998. The response provided to Mr Best via email from Mr Dick MacKerras
on 13 October 1998 and Mr David Villiers on 14 October 1988 was
adequate and appropriate to the level of information provided in Mr Best's
report, and provided Mr Best with details of CASA's investigation to that
date.99
4.96 Mr Toller's letter to the Chairman of the Committee on 8 September 2000
included a number of attachments setting out correspondence which had taken place
between Mr Villiers of CASA and Mr Best in response to his Risk Assessment Report
on the BAe 146. On 14 October Mr Villiers wrote in part:
It is a pity that you did not see fit to talk to Mac Robertson on this issue
before launching the RoR into the system. Had you done so you would have
discovered that much work has been done in recent times, by CASA, the
97 Risk Observation Report dated 13 October 1998 from Mr Richard Best to CASA.
Mr Richard Best, Evidence, 17 August 2000, pp 272, 283-284
98
99 Correspondence from CASA to the Committee dated 8 September 2000, pp 1-2.
80
manufacturer and the operators, to resolve this issue. Obviously your
"Industry intelligence" has come from a source who is either out of date
with events, or has an axe to grind.
I particularly take issue with your statement that we have "... apparently not
been able to have a high priority assigned to this, situation". The BAe 146
cabin air quality issue has absorbed a good deal of AWE effort in the last six
months.100
4.97 The Committee notes that CASA did respond to Mr Best's Risk Observation
Report, but views with concern the response of Mr Villiers of CASA. Such a response
would, undoubtedly discourage staff such as Mr Best from making further RoR's and
this would be highly undesirable.
4.98 In his e-mail to Mr Best, Mr Villiers attached a brief prepared for the CASA
Board Safety Committee dealing with the BAe 146 which Mr Villiers had approved
on 13 October 1998, coincidentally on the same day as his response to Mr Best. This
brief read in part:
CASA review of. the extensive testing performed by the airlines showed
that the cabin air of the 146 posed no hazard to passenger or crew health.
However, there was a perception of poor air quality in the 146 aircraft in
general amongst passengers and crew. The aircraft was found to be
compliant with the certification baseline, but the airflow and distribution of
the air was not conducive to a comfortable environment. In particular, the
practice by the airlines of operating the cabin ECS in 'full fresh" at all times
meant that the humidity levels in the cabin were extremely low (<5%) and
this was probably the cause of the eye and throat irritations being
experienced.
Smells in the cabin were found to be mainly due to ingestion of hydrocarbon
by-products from the engine exhaust of the aircraft itself and also from other
aircraft on the apron. Improved maintenance practices an the engines have
reduced the transfer of "oil" smells to the cabin, although at no time. did
chemical analysis show that any toxic by-products from the engine oil were
present in the cabin.
Extensive chemical analysis of fumes from cabin air samples proved
conclusively that there was nothing harmful in the cabin environment
however, cabin flow tests showed there to be areas of stagnant air in the
cabin which could lead to discomfort for the crew over a long working
day.101
4.99 At one point during his evidence to the inquiry on 17 August 2000, Mr Best
commented as follows on the standard of communications within CASA:
100 E-mail dated 14 October 1998 from Mr David Villiers of CASA to Mr Richard Best.
101 Brief prepared for CASA Board Safety Committee, October 1998.
81
There are a great number of issues that arise every day in CASA, and CASA
have a limited work force. It is up to someone down there to set the
priorities. These questions get answered in time, but you cannot expect them
to drop everything and come back to do whatever is necessary just because
Dick Best put an ROR in. They have to work out their priorities, because
they are the people who are charged with setting the agenda and ensuring
that aviation is safe.102
4.100 The Committee notes the brief prepared for the CASA Board Safety
Committee confirms two assertions made in evidence. Firstly, that CASA relied on
testing done by the airlines and secondly that air in BAe 146 aircraft was a problem.
4.101 Mr Lawrie Cox, Senior Industrial Officer with the AFAP, told the inquiry in
evidence at a public hearing:
The role of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority throughout this process is, to
say the least, appalling. ...
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has simply taken the advice of a
commercial operator that is obviously protecting its basic interests as the
regulatory authority, as being the basis of their position that there are no
safety concerns in the operation of this aircraft and there are no health
effects and no changes or effects on pilots' licensing. It is an unacceptable
position from our point of view that the authority can take that stance,
particularly with the amount of material that has been given.103
4.102 Mr Cox went on to state:
CASA should not be operating in such a way that they simply take a
commercial entity's report - and I am not casting aspersions on Ansett here,
but they may have compiled that report for their own purposes. That is being
accepted by the regulatory authority as the be-all and end-all. That is totally
unacceptable in our view.104
4.103 The Federation submitted that the limitations placed upon air crew in
identifying the past and present state of the contamination issue, allows the airlines to
strongly influence CASA and the Commonwealth Government, "...indicating that the
issue is no longer of concern, while failing to indicate the full extent of the effects on
crew health and safety."105
Mr Richard Best, Evidence, 17 August 2000, p 285
102
AFAP, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 114
103
AFAP, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 117
104
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 7
105
82
4.104 The AFAP went on in its submission to allege that:
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has been aware of the air quality issue
in detail for some time as (sic) has been thoroughly briefed by Ansett, yet
has done little if anything in the way of objectively reviewing the issue from
all perspectives, with the prime requirement being to ensure that all
regulations are met, in order to maintain air safety.
Crew that have tried to ensure that CASA is aware of the full extent of the
problem have been told that there is no evidence of the air quality being
unsafe, yet is aware of cabin air circulation problems on the 146, but overall
there is no evidence on safety grounds that warrants any form of action, and
that the problem is being adequately dealt with by Ansett.
... To date, CASA has been unwilling to recognise the implications of the
in-flight safety issues connected to contaminated air and has therefore
allowed the issue to remain unresolved and ongoing. Operating crews are
reluctant to come forward until health effects are critical as the Aviation
authority has not been willing to objectively assess the situation and ensure
that the Civil Aviation rules and regulations are being met.
Although CASA medical department is aware of the issue of fumes on the
146, and even had a representative attend the 1998 Aerospace Medical
Assoc. General meeting, at which in-cabin contamination was a major topic,
no support has been given to pilots raising the associated health issues with
the medical Department. 106
4.105 Mr Cox of the Federation asserted in his evidence to the inquiry that "... we
have serious doubts about CASA's role in this whole process of the fumes issue
generally and their ability to conduct proper investigations."107
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 10
106
AFAP, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 115
107
CHAPTER FIVE
IMPACT OF AIR QUALITY ON AIR SAFETY
Introduction
5.1 The Committee received conflicting evidence on the critical issue of air safety
as it relates to air quality. Submissions arguing that contamination of cabin air
represented a safety hazard relied on evidence where pilots and flight attendants have
been incapacitated by exposure to fumes.
5.2 Submissions arguing that contamination of cabin air did not represent a safety
hazard, also argued that engine oil seal failures as a source, have been adequately
investigated. These submissions argued there is no implication for flight safety as
existing procedures control potential hazard. These aircraft accordingly continue to be
certified as airworthy as modifications have either remedied or significantly
diminished the problem.
Safety implications of illnesses
5.3 The Australian Federation of Air Pilots is of the view that:
There has been a noticeable effort made by industry to distance short-term
repetitive symptoms that are affecting crew duties, from the forum of flight
safety. The nature of health symptoms encountered and in many cases
documented, all have the ability and in many cases do degrade the level of
safety required by the Civil Aviation Act and Regulations.1
5.4 The AFAP in a supplementary submission to the inquiry argued that:
... the Industry and the regulator, CASA are clearly ignoring the
relationship between ... acknowledged short term health effects suffered
and their effect on air safety. ... while industry is happy to say that the long
term symptoms are a health issue not related to air safety, these longer term
symptoms were once short term repetitive symptoms suffered by BAe 146
crew.2
5.5 Dr Richard Teo told the inquiry that he had observed and treated five patients
who were referred to him for assessment for "... brain function deficit as a
consequence of their exposure to chemicals in the workplace as flight crews of the
BAe 146 aircraft."3 These patients included two pilots and three flight attendants.
Submission 14A, AFAP, p 9; see also Submission 24, FAAA, p 1; see also ATSB, Evidence, 13 March
1
2000, p 198
Submission 14B, AFAP, p 6
2
Submission 3, Dr Richard Teo, p 1
3
84
5.6 According to Dr Teo:
The results of the assessments indicated that in each case, there was a
significant dysfunction in their ability to process information efficiently.
This dysfunction has impacted on their ability, adversely affecting their
performance on mental and psychomotor tasks. This could significantly
increase the risk of air safety should they be performing tasks required of
aircrews as part of their employment schedules. This risk could be
exacerbated during the course of their duties as flight crews as a
consequence of further exposure to the aircraft environment of the BAe 146
aircraft. 4
5.7 During a Committee hearing the following exchange took place between the
Chairman and Dr Teo:
CHAIR--Would you say that there is any connection between alteration in
brain function or loss of brain function and an ability to fly an aircraft? I
think that is a critical question. Could we have your advice on that?
Dr Teo--Yes, there is. If you are slow in the ability of making decisions,
especially in flying, and if the ability is diminished, then there is greater
risk. I would say, in terms of cause and effect, there is greater risk.5
5.8 The Flight Attendants' Association of Australia told the inquiry in evidence:
... there has been a significant exercise in semantic tap-dancing by the
regulatory authority, CASA, over whether this is a health issue or a safety
issue as though there is some need for distinction between the two. The
flight attendants on board the aircraft are on board for this reason: there is a
regulatory requirement that, to ensure the evacuation of all passengers in
under 90 seconds through half the available exits, cabin crew are required to
be there. Flight attendants are there for safety. If flight attendants are having
to be carted off aircraft in wheelchairs and placed onto oxygen during
descent, then the health of these flight attendants has been affected to the
extent where the safety of the flight and of those passengers has been
compromised. Consequently, the issues of health and safety are not separate
but are inextricably intertwined.6
5.9 Mr Brett Leyshon of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau supported the
importance of the role flight attendants play in relation to safety:
Submission 3, Dr Richard Teo, p 1
4
Dr Richard Teo, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 112; see also Dr Robert Loblay, Evidence, 1 February
5
2000, p 106; see also Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 178
FAAA, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 155
6
85
The crew are not there simply to direct passengers to seats and to serve
meals. They serve an important safety function throughout the flight, even a
normal flight. Removing those removes a layer of safety to the passengers in
the cabin.7
BAe 146 cabin air quality and air safety
5.10 As has been previously noted, the central issue of this inquiry is whether
fumes entering the BAe 146 have the potential to affect pilots or cabin crew to the
extent that they are unable to operate an aircraft. It is the immediate impact of fumes
on pilots leading to their possible incapacitation which is of primary importance to an
examination of fumes on the BAe 146 and whether adequate safety systems exist.
The Frank Kolver incident ?BASI Occurrence Brief No 199702276
5.11 The most serious reported and investigated incident of a pilot being affected
by fumes on board a BAe 146 in Australia took place in 1997. On 10 July 1997 a
National Jet Systems BAe 146 freighter aircraft piloted by Captain Frank Kolver was
involved in a serious incident during a night decent into Melbourne following a freight
flight from Sydney. The flight crew at the time was Captain Kolver, a co-pilot and a
Senior Captain in the jump seat who was carrying out crew monitoring.
5.12 In his submission to this inquiry Captain Kolver detailed what happened
during the aircraft's descent to landing:
During the latter stage of the decent shortly after passing 10,000 feet I smelt
strong oily odours and fumes in the cockpit. Some 3 to 4 minutes later after
making a directional change of 25 degrees it was necessary to make another
direction change in the opposite direction of about 10 degrees. 1 had great
difficulty trying to do this because 1 felt it would roll the aircraft to an
excessive angle towards becoming inverted. This was followed by
considerable difficulty in flying the aircraft and concentrating on making the
approach to land, I became confused and was not quite sure what was going
on at the time but realised I was having some sort of difficulty so I asked the
first officer to take over flying the aircraft. He did so and continued to land
safely.8
5.13 Captain Kolver went on:
For the next ten days or so 1 felt as if I was having a continues hangover
with a constant headache. This was accompanied with a feeling of strong
pressure on the top of my head. At night if 1 got out of bed I had difficulty
in standing upright. When I travelled in a motor vehicle the headache would
get worse and after 20 minutes 1 would get nauseous and had to stop and get
out for some relief.9
7 ATSB, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 197
Submission 1, Captain Frank Kolver
8
Submission 1, Captain Frank Kolver
9
86
During this period I was on sick leave and for the next two months my
health slowly improved to moderate continuous headaches and later mild
headaches with a constant pain in the left or right temple area, Several
medical examinations, blood tests and a CT scan gave no indication of any
medical disorder or problem. At the time and prior to this incident I was
medically and physically fit and had no sickness or virus of any kind. 10
5.14 Captain Siebert of NJS told the inquiry in evidence that Captain Kolver:
... became dizzy and recognised he had some vertigo, but he certainly was
not incapacitated. He formally handed control across to the first officer,
which is a standard operating procedure between the crew, and the first
officer went ahead and landed the aeroplane.... The first officer never smelt
anything and was not affected. The supernumerary pilot, in his first report to
the company, said that, yes, he could smell it and felt a little bit nauseous
but was unaffected generally. There is a slightly different interpretation put
on it in the final report from BASI.11
BASI Occurrence Brief
5.15 In early September 1999, following an investigation by BASI, an Occurrence
Brief dealing with the incident involving Captain Kolver was published. This brief
stated in part:
The pilot in command advised that, following the onset of the fumes, he had
experienced difficulty in concentrating on the operation of the aircraft, and
had suffered from a loss of situational awareness. By the time the aircraft
had reached an altitude of approximately 2,000 ft, his control inputs had
become jerky and he began suffering vertigo. He relinquished control of the
aircraft to the co-pilot, who continued with the approach and landing. The
supernumerary pilot advised that he had felt nauseous. The pilot in
command advised that because no smoke or mist was present within the
cockpit, he did not consider it necessary to follow the smoke-removal
checklist. He also advised that the crew did not consider the use of crew
oxygen masks was necessary in the situation.
After boarding the flight in Sydney, the supernumerary pilot had examined
the aircraft maintenance release and noted a deferred defect concerning oil
residue at the number two air conditioning pack inlet, resulting from an oil
leak from the number four engine. This maintenance release entry was dated
17 June 1997. Maintenance trouble-shooting had isolated the problem to a
Submission 1, Captain Frank Kolver. Dr Richard Loblay presented an alternative explanation for Captain
10
Kolver's experience when he told the inquiry: "I do not know whether that particular incident was caused
by fumes. It may have been that the pilot smelled something. ... where a person is exposed to a smell and
believes that that smell might be toxic or dangerous, they can become acutely anxious, hyperventilate and
then lose control of their faculties. The symptoms that were described in that particular case suggest to
me that the pilot panicked." Dr Robert Loblay, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 106.
NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 135
11
87
failing oil seal within the number four engine. The aircraft had been cleared
for further flight without any operational restrictions being noted, and the
defect was listed for rectification at company convenience.
On experiencing the fumes during the descent into Melbourne, the
supernumerary pilot recalled that he had noted a defect concerning the
number two air conditioning system, and rechecked the maintenance log to
determine which bleed air system may have been contributing to the source
of contamination.
After shutdown at Melbourne, the crew vacated the aircraft. Following
exposure to fresh air for about 30 minutes, the effects of the oil fumes
dissipated. As a result, the crew did not consider it necessary to seek
medical advice before continuing the scheduled flights. This decision was
reinforced by the fact that the co-pilot had not reported being affected by the
fumes. The crew further advised that because the technical log already
contained an entry regarding the number four engine, and because
Maintenance were aware of the problem, another entry regarding the same
problem was unnecessary. They elected to continue the remaining scheduled
flight sectors with the number four-engine bleed air system turned off, in
accordance with the provisions of the master minimum equipment list
(MMEL). The remainder of their tour of duty was completed without
incident.12
5.16 At the end of this Occurrence Brief BASI stated:
The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation is particularly concerned about the
potential for further BAe 146 flight and cabin crew to become incapacitated
during flight due to exposure to odours being introduced into the aircraft
cabin environment. In this occurrence, two of the three flight crew members
on board the aircraft suffered from symptoms that prevented them from
properly carrying out their assigned duties. The introduction of fumes and
odours into the cabin environment following an engine defect constitutes a
possible safety deficiency that should be addressed by the regulatory
authority, in accordance with its statutory responsibility to monitor the
continued airworthiness of aircraft.
The implications of long-term exposure to cabin air contamination for the
health of passengers and crew requires further examination, together with
the development and implementation of suitable counter-measures. The
competent authority to co-ordinate such activities is the regulatory
authority.13
12 ATSB, www.atsb.gov.au, Occurrence Brief 199702276, pp 1-2. For information on the use of oxygen by
flight attendants see Submission 24A, FAAA, p 2.
13 ATSB, www.atsb.gov.au, Occurrence Brief 199702276, p 3
88
Criticism of BASI Occurrence Brief
5.17 The BASI Occurrence Brief dealing with the Captain Kolver incident
attracted criticism from both CASA and British Aerospace. In a letter to the inquiry,
dated 16 September 1999, Mr Toller of CASA, stated that CASA had responded to the
draft Occurrence Brief expressing concern about aspects of the draft and seeking
additional information concerning certain claims made in the draft:
I am most concerned that CASA did not receive a response to its letter and
that the final Report in no way acknowledges our comments which, in my
view provided information which should have significantly influenced its
content.14
5.18 CASA's submission to the inquiry set out a letter which was sent to Dr Rob
Lee of BASI on 3 June 1999 relating to the BASI draft Occurrence Brief. This letter
read in part:
You recommend that CASA, in conjunction with the aircraft manufacturer,
investigate failures within the engine. This was done in considerable detail
and resulted in the manufacturer sending a team to discuss the issues with
CASA and the major Australian operators. The engine design is not unusual,
in that if a seal fails upstream of the bleed air take-off, some fumes can pass
into the air conditioning system. However, they then pass through the
conditioning packs, filters and ducting before distribution into the aircraft.
In trials to measure contamination from a failed seal, a seal was removed
and the engine run - no harmful fumes passed into the cabin. The conclusion
of the manufacturer and the UK CAA, who issued the type certificate for the
aircraft, is that the aircraft meets the requirements for a type certificate and
is safe for all operations. 15
5.19 Captain Siebert of NJS expressed the following criticism of the Occurrence
Brief during his evidence to the inquiry:
The BASI investigation failed to address the aviation medicine aspects of
the incident. ...
The maintenance procedures detailed in the BASI investigation report were
incorrect with respect to the airconditioning units. ...
NJS is in agreement with the CASA assessment reported to the committee
during the Canberra hearings that the BAe146 meets all airworthiness
regulatory requirements. There was no flight safety compromised during the
night freighter incident as existing procedures acted to control the hazard.16
Submission 20, CASA, p 1
14
Submission 20, CASA, pp 6-7
15
NJS, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 134
16
89
5.20 British Aerospace was critical of the Occurrence Brief in relation to both how
it was written and its content. British Aerospace's submission dealing with the content
of the Brief stated:
British Aerospace disagrees with the conclusions of the Occurrence Brief. In
particular, its Safety Recommendations fail to take account of the
modifications introduced both by BAe and the engine and APU
manufacturers since the early 1990's specifically designed to address the
issue of possible contamination of the cabin air supply.
On the basis of the circumstances described in the Occurrence Brief, this
incident would not have occurred had the procedures set out in BAe's
Master Minimum Equipment List ... been applied to the known "defect" in
the aircraft's bleed air system.
The Occurrence Brief refers to anecdotal reports of "health problems"
suffered by flight and cabin crew of various Australian operators. ...
however, British Aerospace believes that recent complaints regarding cabin
air quality on BAe 146 aircraft have largely no connection with the subject
incident.17
5.21 British Aerospace also advised the Committee that, in relation to the specific
matters relating to the aircraft's configuration:
British Aerospace has expressed its disappointment to BASI regarding the
procedures followed in the preparation of the Occurrence Brief and in
particular the level of consultation afforded to it.
According to the Occurrence Brief, the cause of the incident was oil
contamination of the cabin air supply due to a leaking oil seal.
The problem with the leaking oil seal was first noted by the operator on 17
June 1997, some 23 days before the incident.
Had the corresponding engine bleed air system been treated as inoperative,
the provision of the MMEL would have required it to be isolated and
placarded ... Application of these procedures would have avoided any
contamination of the air supply. The Occurrence Brief makes no reference
to this.
Once the contaminated air supply was isolated, the remaining sectors were
flown without incident.
British Aerospace accepts that from time to time oil may leak into the cabin
air system. However, between 1991 and 1992, when it became evident that
this was an issue, British Aerospace in conjunction with AlliedSignal
developed modifications to reduce the frequency of such leaks.
Submission 11B, British Aerospace, p 1
17
90
As part of the modifications an air filtration system was offered to the
operators as a customer option. The Occurrence Brief makes no mention of
whether air filters or other modifications had been installed on the aircraft in
question.
5.22 In relation to matters affecting occupational health, British Aerospace noted:
The Occurrence Brief also refers to anecdotal reports of health problems
alleged to have been suffered by flight and cabin crew of various Australian
operators and suggests that there is a link between these and the incident
under investigation. While the nature of the Occurrence Brief makes it
impossible for British Aerospace to comment on or assess the details of any
of these further incidents, it is British Aerospace's view that recent
complaints regarding cabin air quality have largely arisen from
circumstances unconnected to oil contamination and are therefore not
relevant to the incident investigated by BASI. British Aerospace has in any
event recently been working with Ansett to introduce a package of
enhancements to improve the BAe 146 cabin environment ... none of which
are mentioned in the Occurrence Brief.18
5.23 Mr Clive Phillips, the officer responsible for writing the BASI Occurrence
Brief, disputed the claim that British Aerospace was not adequately consulted as the
report was being written:
... British Aerospace's representative was at pains to say that the bureau's
investigation had gone ahead without reference to British Aerospace. ... The
files currently held by the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation and ATSB in
Canberra have quite a body of evidence that was given, via faxes, telephone
calls and emails, from British Aerospace specialists whom we spoke to at
Woodforde in England. 19
Incidents of pilot incapacitation in Australia and overseas
5.24 As noted in paragraphs 5.11-5.14, the most widely publicised incident of a
BAe 146 pilot incapacitation involved Captain Frank Kolver. Captain Kolver provided
detailed evidence to the Committee concerning this incident.
5.25 Captain Kolver advised the Committee that on 12 June 1997 he had noticed
oil fumes on this same aircraft. Following this observation Captain Kolver submitted
an in-house safety occurrence report to National Jet Systems.20
5.26 When asked whether he was capable of landing the aircraft on the night of 10
July 1997. Captain Kolver stated:
Submission 11B, British Aerospace, pp 1-2
18
Mr Clive Phillips, Evidence, 1 February 2000, p 120
19
Captain Frank Kolver, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 146
20
91
It is difficult to say. I believe, had all the other crew become incapable of
doing so, that I probably would have under difficult conditions. It may not
have been a smooth landing, but I still believe that probably there was that
capability. ... I was able to assist the first officer with the rest of the
approach and supporting him, mainly in the selecting of the flap position as
the approach was conducted. 21
5.27 Captain Kolver was asked whether he was aware of any other pilot who had to
hand over control of his aircraft due to fumes. Captain Kolver replied:
Not to my knowledge. I am not aware of any other pilots in our company
that were affected. 22
5.28 There are four other incidents, three in Australia and one in Sweden, which
the Committee has become aware of where pilots or co-pilots of BAe 146 aircraft in
were affected by fumes while flying the aircraft. These effects appear to have had
some potential to cause affected flight crew to become incapacitated.
5.29 Nevertheless, it should be noted the affected flight crew during the three
incidents were able to control and land their aircraft. In addition, a recent incident on a
flight from Perth to Port Hedland in WA is also discussed. This incident - involving
the entry of fumes into a BAe 146 passenger aircraft - did not apparently affect air
crew.
1 29 October 1997 - Hamilton Island incident
5.30 The following is an extract from an Occurrence Brief prepared by BASI
dealing with an incident which took place on a BAe 146 on 29 October 1997:
The BAel46 aircraft was operating from Brisbane to Hamilton Island and
return. The pilot noticed some odours when he boarded the aircraft, and
enroute to Hamilton Island the cabin crew commented about odours in the
cabin. During the turnaround at Hamilton Island the cabin crew felt ill. After
getting some fresh air they appeared to recover and were able to resume
duties.
Shortly after takeoff the flight crew again detected odours and, while
attempting to isolate the source, the co-pilot began to feel ill. Both fight
crew members donned their oxygen masks. The smells subsided when the
number 2 engine bleed air was switched off. At approximately 10,000 ft the
crew removed their oxygen masks. ...
Both fight crew members continued to suffer from sore and dry throats, and
headaches and the co-pilot also suffered from nausea. Oxygen was used
intermittently for the remained (sic) of the flight.
Captain Frank Kolver, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 151
21
Captain Frank Kolver, Evidence, 2 February 2000, p 148
22
92
Air samples were taken on decent and again when more odours were noted
concurrent with changes to bleed air switching. On arrival at Brisbane the
cabin crew advised that they had been similarly affected throughout the
flight and were not well enough to continue flying. The flight crew also
elected not to continue and advised that they suffered from symptoms for a
further 24 hours.23
2 1997 - Brisbane incident
5.31 The Committee has been told of an incident in 1997 when a pilot experienced
difficulty landing a BAe 146 in Brisbane. The information concerning this incident
was set out in a confidential submission to the Committee and it is not possible to
provide complete details of the incident without identifying the pilot involved.
However, the pilot made the following statement in the confidential submission:
As we were preparing to land in Brisbane I experienced a feeling like
drunkenness and I had difficulty lining up the aircraft for landing. I did not
tell my first officer how I was feeling and did not hand over to him because
I was not aware of the extent of my incapacity. 24
5.32 This statement went on:
After I became ill and established to my satisfaction the link between my
condition and exposure to the fumes from Mobil Jet Oil II, I deemed it
appropriate to submit a report to the Bureau of Air Safety Investigations
(BASI) in respect of the episode on or about .... 1997 when I was caused to
feel drunk by exposure to the oil fumes. I am now aware of the fact that
certain other pilots have experienced the same or similar special
disorientation sensations. ... I point out that the symptoms I experienced on
or about ... have safety implications potentially so grave that my
professionalism demands they be acknowledged at the highest levels.25
3 31 March 2000 - Sydney/Melbourne incident
5.33 On 31 March 2000 during a flight of an Ansett BAe 146 freighter between
Sydney and Melbourne the pilot was affected by fumes in the cockpit. This incident is
currently under investigation by the ATSB. On 1 May 2000 the pilot, Captain Roger
Goulet gave evidence to the Committee regarding its circumstances. The following are
excerpts from his comments concerning the incident which occurred shortly after
leaving Sydney on the flight to Melbourne:
When switching air supplies from the APU to the engine air supplies, we got
this odour in the Cabin - I call it the dirty sock smell. I have smelled it
numerous times in the past. I might add that most of the time, and I have
23 BASI Occurrence (Incident) Brief 199703707, 29 October 1997, pp 1-2
Confidential submission C10, attached paper p 4
24
Confidential submission C10, attached paper p. 4
25
93
smelled it in the past, it has never bothered me - it is just uncomfortable. ...
a very short time later, about a minute later, I felt just a slight light-
headedness coming about, so what I did was I took the oxygen mask. I did
not actually properly don it; I just took it and held it up to my face ... What
happened, as I pretty much expected it would, was that the symptoms of this
sort of light-headedness went away pretty much straightaway. ... The flight
progressed. ...
The smell went away. ...
.... two minutes after take-off ... halfway between Wollongong and
Canberra, and the light-headedness thing sort of came back again and a
very, very dull headache transpired, so I started breathing the oxygen again.
Lo and behold, it started to go away and, as the flight progressed and once
again I was not breathing oxygen the whole time - it went away and then it
started coming back again. And then later I just had very dry scratchy eyes,
a sore throat, that sort of thing, a taste in my mouth, and the only way I
could describe it is it tastes like it smells. ... on descent at the lower
altitudes going into Melbourne, I then became aware that with the points of
light, ... there was some blurring in my long-distance vision. Once again it
was not major.
We landed without incident ... It was not until that point, in walking across
the ramp at Melbourne, that I realised that I had a slight disorientation. I do
not really know how to describe it - not staggering, falling over drunk, but it
was very obvious that there was something wrong, that there was a minor
incapacitation, ...
I have had exposure to these fumes before; it had never bothered me, and
now it bothered me. ...26
5.34 During this incident the co-pilot noticed the smell in the cockpit but was not
significantly affected by it. During the flight to Melbourne Captain Goulet did not
hand over command of the aircraft to the co-pilot. 27
5.35 Mr John Johnson, Engineering Fleet Manger with Ansett told the Committee
that this incident had occurred as a result of a failure of a bearing seal in one of the
aircraft's engines. This failure had allowed oil to leak through a bearing into the
compressor and out through the diffuser duct eventually allowing fumes to enter the
cockpit.28
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, pp 247-248
26
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 247
27
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 248
28
94
5.36 Mr Johnson also told the Committee that airframe modifications had not been
incorporated on this aircraft or on other freighter aircraft.29 When questioned on the
difference in the modifications that have been carried out on passenger carrying BAe
146 aircraft and those that only carry freight Mr Johnson advised:
With the freighter, with the air frame, we have put in a cockpit filter and a
cabin filter. With the passenger aircraft, we have recirculated the air so that
it is a more sensible movement. We have put airconditioned air through the
toilet areas and the aft and forward galleys, and we have also put in the
filtration mod on the cabin and the cockpit. What we have not done on the
freighter is everything to do with the cabin, because it does not carry
passengers.30
4 13 April 2000 - Perth/Port Hedland incident
5.37 On 13 April 2000 a BAe 146 passenger aircraft was forced to return to Perth
when smoke appeared in the cabin. Apparently no member of the air crew was
affected by fumes during this incident. The following details of the incident were
provided to the inquiry by Mr Johnson of Ansett:
... there was smoke visible in the cabin from the airconditioning system,
and that particular engine was shut down. The number three engine was shut
down because of low oil quantity and high oil temp, and the aircraft returned
to Perth. We found on investigating that engine that there was oil coming
out of the tailpipe ... there was an immediate rejection of the engine....
The evidence given to us in the investigation and what we found in
discussions with the crew was that the crew saw the smoke in the cabin,
they saw it clear with the shutting down of the engine and they provided
towels to the customers while there was smoke present. None of the crew
was affected. The crew continued on as normal. Nobody was taken off the
roster or requested to come off the roster as a consequence of the
occurrence.31
Incident in Sweden - November 1999
5.38 On 12 November 1999 during a flight between Bromma and Sturup in
Sweden a flight crew on a BAe 146 operated by Braathens Malmo Aviation had to use
oxygen when they were effected by fumes. According to the Captain of the aircraft:
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 248
29
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 249
30
Ansett Australia, Evidence, 1 May 2000, p 250
31
95
We broke out the oxygen masks. From the onset of the feeling of sickness, I
rapidly became worse and worse, feeling, dizzy and groggy despite the
oxygen. After about two minutes I slowly began to recover. As the first
officer was feeling much better he took over the controls.32
5.39 This media report went on to state that following an investigation the airline
had come to the conclusion that "the oil leak was the reason for the air in the cabin
being made toxic."33
5.40 Mr Mick Toller of CASA told the inquiry:
... although the Swedish incident happened on a 146, it could have
happened on any aircraft. As we understand it, immediately after the
incident the engine was changed and there was no recurrence. This is one of
these classics where you get a problem but you can diagnose the fault and
cure it immediately. I would not say those happen on a daily basis in
aviation throughout the world, but they are certainly not uncommon
incidents.34
5.41 Despite the incidents in Australia and Sweden, British Aerospace made the
following statement to the Committee on 10 April 200 "... it is fair to say that in the
course of the investigation to date, which has included full engine testing and strip
down and in-flight testing of the aircraft, nothing has been encountered which has
made either BAe Systems or the investigator in charge think it necessary to take
further safety action at this time."35
5.42 The Committee has considered the above evidence and draws attention to its
conclusions in Chapter 6 ?paragraphs 6.26 to 6.34 and recommendations 1 and 2.
From a media report supplied to the Committee titled Poisoned Pilots Almost Crashed by Lars Dahl and
32
Elisabeth Sjokvist, p. 1. For further information on when British Aerospace believes oxygen should be
used by pilots see British Aerospace, Evidence, p 235.
33 Ibid.
CASA, Evidence, 13 March 2000, p 191
34
British Aerospace, Evidence, 10 April 2000, p 223; see also p 225.
35
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
6.1 The Committee's inquiry into the possible impact on air safety of cabin air
quality in the BAe 146 aircraft indicates, as a general proposition, that chemicals
introduced into an aircraft cabin can be an important factor in an aircraft's safe and
comfortable operation. Excessive levels of chemical contamination can affect two
aspects of aircraft operations: the operational environment and the working and
travelling environment; a fact apparent to airline operators, to aircrew and to every
airline passenger.
6.2 While the BAe 146 is not unique among jet aircraft regarding the entry of oil
fumes into the passenger cabins and cockpits, the BAe 146 is the focus of the majority
of complaints of fume contamination made to Australian airlines. The BAe 146 was
the source of the two most serious incidents of pilot incapacitation resulting from oil
fume contamination of cabin air. However, the Committee also notes that several
other aircraft have been identified during the course of the inquiry as suffering similar
problems to the BAe 146 including A320s and MD90s.
6.3 Although the incidence of reports of fumes affecting BAe 146 flight and cabin
crews has reduced in the last three years, there appears to be no real possibility of such
occurrences being eradicated totally as long as air is brought into the jet aircraft by
bleeding air from its engines. There also is no current prospect of an alternative
engineering arrangement being implemented in the BAe 146 for bringing air into the
aircraft.
6.4 It appears to the Committee that contamination of cabin aircraft air on the
BAe 146 aircraft has led to short-term and medium-term health problems for a number
of BAe 146 flight crew. Some scientists link these health problems to contaminants,
although the link has not yet been definitively established. Similarly, while definitive
links have not been made between the toxic chemical components of Mobil Jet Oil II
and illness in flight crew, this remains a question to be further investigated and
assessed.
6.5 This inquiry has collected a considerable amount of evidence, and a wide
range of claims have been made, in relation to the safe operation of the BAe 146
aircraft in Australia. The major issues for consideration are:
the design, engineering and working operations of the air conditioning
?br>
and air supply system in the BAe 146 aircraft and the physical effects -
both short and medium-term - on cabin crew and passengers of that
system in day-to-day flying operations in Australia;
98
incidents and occurrences relevant to the level of safety achieved in day-
?br>
to-day flying operations of the BAe 146 in Australian conditions;
the response by the BAe 146 aircraft manufacturer, by Australian
?br>
aircraft operators, by air industry regulators, and by air safety
supervisory and investigation bodies to continuing complaints regarding
cabin air quality in the BAe 146.
BAe 146 ?cabin air quality
Current Australian approach to the effects on air safety of BAe 146 cabin air quality
6.6 The observation, monitoring and reporting on cabin air quality in the BAe
146, and its effect on air crew and passengers, may be described as one of the most, if
not the most, closely observed and recorded aspect of the operations of a currently
certified passenger aircraft type in Australia.
6.7 Notwithstanding this apparent effort, the Committee received conflicting
evidence that testing programs claimed by the operators to be thorough were viewed
by others as inadequate. The Committee has established that for a considerable period
no operator has carried out clinical testing on flight crew exposed to cabin air fumes
immediately following the exposure to fumes. Two witnesses, Dr Chris van Netten
and Dr Winder, provided evidence suggesting that results of testing carried out on
cabin air on BAe 146 aircraft flying in Australia cannot be used as a basis for claiming
the air is not hazardous to human health.
6.8 Equally, it should be observed that, due to the factors described in this report,
the focus of these observations, as far as air safety is involved, placed a particular
emphasis on the short-term effects of poor air quality on individual aircrew and
aircraft operations in specific events. These specific cases have raised the question of
whether aircraft safety is affected by such occurrences.
6.9 The monitoring of the BAe 146, as far as air safety considerations are
concerned, does not currently extend to systematic observation, collation and
reporting of long-term occupational health and safety matters. Monitoring is carried
out on an operator by operator basis, and little or no central assessment or record
collection of individual airline monitoring and recording results is currently made.
6.10 The appropriate bodies to conduct such centralised assessment and monitoring
of air quality on aircraft are the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian
Transport Safety Bureau. However, CASA has relied on the internal responses and
studies carried out by the industry and has conducted no independent monitoring or
assessment of the issue. The Committee notes that the closest thing to a detailed
assessment by a regulator of this issue was the BASI/ATSB Occurrence Brief number
199702276 issued in September 1999 and discussed in detail in the report.
99
6.11 The Committee notes that CASA, British Aerospace and Australian airlines
operating the BAe 146 did not implement the recommendations of the BASI/ATSB
report. It is clear to the Committee that the decision not to implement the
recommendations was not justified.
6.12 It appears that Mr Mick Toller, the Director of a CASA, was mistaken in
evidence to the Committee regarding instructions provided by an operator, NJS, to a
senior pilot, Captain Kolver, about the nature of a possible defect on the aircraft on
which Captain Kolver later experienced exposure to fume contamination and
subsequent incapacitation.1
6.13 This Committee notes that contamination of aircraft cabin air may conflict
with the requirements of at least three civil aviation regulations; CAR 48.0 1.4 and
CAR 25.831: on cabin air quality and CAR 2 on major defects. Civil Aviation
Advisory Publication (CAAP) 51-1 (O), counts (c) smoke, toxic or noxious fumes
inside the aircraft as a major defect.
6.14 The Committee notes that the BASI/ATSB Occurrence Report of September
1999 expressed concern that the potential for future crew to become affected in flight
due to exposure to odours in the cabin air environment constitutes a `safety
deficiency'. The Committee notes further the evidence provided by the airlines, the
manufacturer and CASA that day to day safety of the aircraft is not in question.
However, the reported occurrences, some of which are serious, provide an argument
that CASA, the manufacturer and airlines have not yet provided a satisfactory solution
to this question.
6.15 When questioned on the application of the civil aviation regulations, CASA
told the Committee that: "what constitutes `harmful or hazardous' is left up to other
standards and generally is getting into the area of occupational health".2
6.16 Mr Toller acknowledged that oil leaks did occur on the BAe 146, leaving the
question open as to whether these occurrences conflict with the civil aviation
regulations.3 Given emphasis of an explicit link between occupational health of pilots
and the safety of the aircraft made by BASI/ATSB, several medical professionals and
some pilots the Committee finds the response of CASA to this issue to be inadequate.
6.17 Four Australian pilots gave evidence to this inquiry detailing incidents in
which they had been affected, by fumes entering the cockpit of the BAe 146. A
serious incident of pilot incapacitation on a BAe 146 was reported in Sweden in
November last year.
1 CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 40
2 CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 48
3 CASA, Evidence, 1 November 1999, p 42
100
6.18 By contrast, the Committee also notes the strong evidence of a tendency of
pilots to under-report incidents of this nature. The Committee was told in evidence by
operators and some pilots that the principal reasons for not reporting incidents relating
to air quality are:
reporting such incidents either to their employer or regulator may place
?br>
an individual's career at risk;
many pilots and flight attendants were advised by their employers that
?br>
there was no health hazard from the fumes. Some flight crew suggested
that they only became aware of the potential hazards as a result of
publicity associated with the Senate inquiry and overseas fume
contamination incidents;
the incident posed no immediate threat to safe operations;
?br>
the incident involved physical effects which, while apparent, were short-
?br>
term and recovery was quick and complete; or
the incident involved physical effects which affected a minority of crew.
?br>
Performance of modifications
6.19 The Committee accepts that Australian airline operators currently operating
the BAe 146 have completed extensive modifications to the aircraft, in cooperation
with the manufacturer, to reduce the current cabin air problem. Their modifications
have reduced the reporting of fume events.
6.20 The Committee observes that there remain some passenger carrying aircraft
that have not been modified which continue to suffer fume contamination as well as
evidence that fume events do continue on some BAe 146 aircraft, including modified
aircraft.
6.21 It is clear to the Committee that while modifications are effective in
improving systems to recirculating air in the aircraft cabin, they do not eliminate the
incidence of fume exposure.
Current Australian approach to assessment of aircraft air quality
Exposure to aircraft cabin air
6.22 Exposure of air crew and, potentially, passengers to cabin air which may be
contaminated, or even minutely affected, by fumes originating in an aircraft's engines
raises the potential of occupational illness and, for certain individuals, an incapacity to
continue work.
6.23 The air quality factors which principally concern the Committee in this
inquiry are possible short and medium term effect on aircrew, pilots and attendants, of
exposure to chemicals originating in an aircraft's engines and passed into the aircraft
through its air conditioning systems.
101
6.24 The Committee notes that opinion on the hazardous nature of exposure to oil
fumes is divided almost exactly between affected flight crew and their medical
advisers on the one hand, and the airline industry and CASA on the other. It is clear
that exposure to chemicals can have long-term deleterious affects. In the past
scientists have concluded that threshold values of exposure to a number of substances
in the workplace environment were not harmful. These theories are now shown to be
incorrect. Long-term exposure to a number of substances has been shown to be
harmful.
6.25 The aircraft's manufacturer, British Aerospace/BAe Systems, acknowledges
that there is a health issue associated with the fumes.4 While the weight of evidence to
the inquiry suggests that a number of flight crew have suffered from toxicity, the
Committee cannot readily accept assurances that there is no hazard associated with
exposure to oil fumes in aircraft cabin air.
6.26 The Committee is convinced that aircraft operators recognise that there exists
a possibility that individual aircrew can and do reach a 'saturation' level of cumulative
exposure to chemicals. Such a possibility should be recognised and further
investigated.
6.27 The Committee is also convinced that there is sufficient evidence before this
inquiry to justify further examination of the following factors:
the effects on human health of the introduction into the aircraft cabin
?br>
and cockpit of engine oil, by-products of engine oil combustion and
other compounds as a result of leaking seals and bearings; and
the cumulative physical effect of exposure to these substances which can
?br>
affect particular individuals.
Air safety
6.28 The Committee has carefully considered all evidence put before it during this
inquiry, and has also given consideration to the current safety regulatory structure
imposed on air operators of aircraft, such as the BAe 146, by CASA under the
Civil Aviation Act 1998.
6.29 A principal statutory function of CASA in relation to the oversight and
maintenance of safe regulation and safe flying operations for civil aircraft in Australia
is to:
conduct comprehensive aviation industry surveillance, including
?br>
assessment of safety related decisions taken by industry management at
all levels for their impact on aviation;
4 Submission 6, British Aerospace, p 6
102
conduct regular reviews of the system of civil aviation safety in order to
?br>
monitor the safety performance of the industry to identify safety related
trends and risk factors and to promote the development and
improvement of the Australian aviation system.5
6.30 As a further statutory requirement, CASA is required to:
foster an awareness in industry management and within the community
?br>
generally of the importance of aviation safety;
promote full and effective consultation and communication with all
?br>
interested parties on aviation safety issues; and6
ensure that the Civil Aviation Regulations covering Australian airspace
?br>
are complied with.
Committee Conclusions
6.31 The Committee believes that CASA erred in rejecting the finding of
Occurrence Brief No. 199702276 dealing with the incident involving Captain Kolver,
published in September 1999. The Committee was not provided with a substantive
reason for this action by CASA. The Committee believes that CASA should now
accept the BASI/ATSB recommendations and develop an action plan for
implementing them.
6.32 In its Occurrence Brief of September 1999, BASI recommended that:
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, in conjunction with the aircraft
manufacturer, British Aerospace Plc, address deficiencies that permit the
entry of fumes into the cockpit and cabin areas of BAe146 aircraft. These
deficiencies should be examined by the regulatory authority as part of its
responsibilities for initial certification and continued airworthiness of the
BAe 146 aircraft.7
6.33 In relation to statutory requirements, the Committee consider CASA should
ascertain whether current reporting requirements in respect of the operation of the
BAe 146 and other aircraft, specifically related to the effect of cabin and cockpit air
quality, are adequate. There is sufficient evidence from operators, the British
Aerospace, CASA and BASI to conclude that CASA should re-assess and enhance its
current scrutiny of the Australian BAe 146 fleet. The Committee believes such a
monitoring program, which can be established under existing civil aviation regulations
must re-assess and monitor the following matters:
5 Civil Aviation Act 1998 (Cth), s 9
6 Civil Aviation Act 1998 (Cth), ss 9(1) & (2)
7 ATSB, www.atsb.gov.au, Occurrence Brief 199702276, p. 4; see also Submission 24A, FAAA, p 2.
103
the need for a specific national standard for checking and monitoring the
?br>
engine seals and air quality in all passenger jet aircraft;
the maintenance procedures, including specific maintenance procedures
?br>
for ageing aircraft;
specific, appropriate maintenance and operational procedures for the
?br>
BAe 146 which pay particular attention to the need to ensure that aircraft
are maintained and serviced for a minimum operating time to ensure that
faults resulting in oil leaks, fumes or smoke are repaired;
that incident reports should now be specifically designed so as to reflect
?br>
the history of the cabin air problem that has been encountered on the
BAe 146;
the need for sources of contamination in the cabin and cockpit
?br>
environment in the BAe 146 to be identified and further evaluated using
appropriate sampling and analytical technology for the contaminants
which, for example, might result from the burning of fuel and lubricating
oil used in the BAe 146 engines; and
the need for companies operating the BAe 146 and other aircraft in
?br>
Australia to provide CASA with specific reports on the results of
monitoring these matters within an appropriate timeframe, quarterly or
six-monthly, in order that CASA can assess the operations of the
aircraft.
The role of the Minister for Transport in safety considerations
6.34 The Committee notes that under the Civil Aviation Act 1998, the Minister for
Transport cannot make a direction to CASA on specific matters, but has the power to
provide direction to CASA generally on the performance of its functions.8 In
September 1999, for example, the Minister provided CASA with a comprehensive set
of directions on performance of its functions,9 although section 12 of the Civil
Aviation Act 1998 requires that these directions shall be `...only of a general nature...'
6.35 The Committee considers the Minister for Transport has a responsibility to
raise with CASA the need for enhanced assessment and monitoring of cabin and
cockpit air quality in Australian aircraft, with particular reference to the BAe 146.
This appears to reflect overseas trends particularly with regard to examination,
analysis and observation of the effects of the commercial jet aircraft cabin
environment, including air quality, on pilots, crew and passengers.
8 Civil Aviation Act 1998 (Cth), s 12
9 Letter from Minister for Transport, John Anderson dated 30 September 1999.
104
Monitoring, assessment and measures to address the problem
6.36 The Committee has noted in paragraph 6.13 that a number of Civil Aviation
Regulations (CAR) provide for control of unacceptable aircraft cabin air quality. Any
detectable leaking of oil fumes into aircraft cabin air can only mean that there is a
defect which renders aircraft not airworthy until such a defect is remedied. The
Committee is concerned that such defects may not be remedied immediately, that
modifications are only partially effective, and as a result, aircraft not completely
airworthy continue to fly.
Matters the Committee considers must be addressed by CASA
Recommendation 1
(a) The Committee recommends that CASA should reassess matters
recommended for further action by the BASI/ATSB incident report
(No. 199702276) concerning the incident on 10 July 1997 involving
Captain Kolver.
(b) The Committee also recommends that CASA reassess its
requirements for monitoring the operations and cabin and cockpit
air quality of the BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia and, where
necessary, introduce regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988
specifying:
a specific national standard for checking and monitoring the
?br>
engine seals and air quality in all passenger commercial jet
aircraft;
maintenance procedures (including specific maintenance
?br>
procedures for ageing aircraft);
specific, appropriate maintenance and operational procedures
?br>
for the BAe 146 which pay particular attention to the need to
ensure aircraft are withdrawn from operational flying and
serviced to ensure any operating faults resulting in oil leaks,
fumes or smoke are immediately repaired;
that incident reports should now be specifically designed so as to
?br>
reflect the history of the cabin air problem that has been
encountered on the BAe 146;
sources of contamination in the cabin and cockpit environment
?br>
in the BAe 146 be identified and further evaluated using
appropriate sampling and analytical technology for the
contaminants which, for example, might result from the burning
of lubricating oil used in the BAe 146 engines;
105
companies operating BAe 146 and other passenger commercial
?br>
jet aircraft in Australia provide CASA with specific reports on
the results of monitoring these matters within an appropriate
timeframe, whether quarterly or six-monthly, in order that
CASA can assess the operations of the aircraft; and
air quality monitoring and compulsory reporting guidelines for
?br>
all passenger jet aircraft operators.
Specific matters required for Airworthiness Certificates
for BAe 146 aircraft operating in Australia
Recommendation 2
The Committee recommends that CASA adopt the modification to aircraft air
circulation systems proposal for the BAe 146 aircraft by the aircraft's
manufacturer as compulsory for all BAe 146 operating in Australia and that this
be achieved by preparation and issue by CASA of an appropriate form of
maintenance direction under the Civil Aviation Regulations.
The Committee also recommends that registration of BAe 146 aircraft operating
in Australia be reviewed, and that renewal of Air Operating Certificates and
registration of the BAe 146 be subject to completion of those recommended
modifications as a condition for continued registration of the aircraft.
Appropriate tests for chemicals present in aircraft cabins
Recommendation 3
The Committee believes that development of an appropriate and accurate test for
the presence of any chemical fumes in aircraft cabins is essential. The Committee
accordingly recommends that CASA liaise with operators to develop a
standardised, compulsory monitoring program which provides for testing cabin
aircraft air during fume events.
Occupational Health & Safety ?occupational health issues
6.37 The Committee notes from the evidence it has received the considerable
concern amongst a number of aircrew and medical specialists that some aircrew might
experience health effects, both short term and possibly long term, from exposure to
cabin and cockpit air in the BAe 146 aircraft.
6.38 The Committee heard evidence from operators of the BAe 146, particularly
from Ansett, that the monitoring of the health affects on aircrew flying in the BAe 146
aircraft is now part of operational routine. The Committee held discussions with
medical personnel who were employees of or consultants to airlines, and who have
treated a number of individuals who claim to suffer, in several cases, severe and
debilitating health affects resulting from exposure to fumes and cabin air on the
BAe 146.
106
6.39 The Committee notes also other evidence presented to the inquiry that testing
of human health and medical support for affected flight crew has not been adequate.
The majority of affected flight crew who gave evidence to the inquiry asserted that
medical examiners appointed by the operators deny they suffer from medical
problems related to the BAe 146 and have recommended refusal of support or
compensation.
6.40 The Committee is aware that several flight crew lost employment due to ill
health they attribute to fume exposure and that their employers have opposed and may
have unnecessarily delayed the settlement of employees' compensation and insurance
claims.
6.41 The Committee observes the response of the airline operators, particularly
Ansett, who have attempted, as yet without complete success, to establish the exact
cause of reported symptoms suffered by flight crew. The Committee considers that
occupational health and safety standards in Australia should accordingly be carefully
assessed to better ensure that the effects of long term exposure to aircraft cabin air are
recognised.
6.42 Accordingly, the Committee believes it is appropriate that a clinical
investigation be initiated to ascertain whether possible health effects are caused by
exposure of air crew and passengers to contaminated aircraft cabin air.
Recommendation 4
That the issue of cabin air quality be reviewed by the National Occupational
Health and Safety Commission with a view to including aerotoxic syndrome in
appropriate codes as a matter of reference for future Workers Compensation
and other insurance cases.
Occupation Health & Safety ?a detailed health and medical research program
6.43 The Committee considers that the National Health and Medical Research
Council (NMHRC) is the appropriate, independent research body to initiate any long
term investigation of the effects on health of aircraft cabin air.
6.44 The Strategic Research Development Committee of the NMHRC has initiated
a number of programs in recent years, particularly in relation to issues which may
have long-term unspecified but potentially important effects on occupational health.
6.45 By way of example, the Committee draws attention to a current program of
the Strategic Research Development Committee of the NMHRC that is examining the
possible long-term effects of electro-magnetic exposure, particularly to mobile
telephones and possible adverse biological effects on individuals.
107
6.46 It is important to note that the nature of this research program is long term,
will rely on independent research by a number of bodies, and will be particularly
reliant on information and observations which have been made by industry.10
6.47 In case it is considered that the initiation of such a research program will take
a lengthy period of time, the Committee considers it worth noting that the National
Health and Medical Research Council, through its Strategic Research Development
Committee, has a well developed and effective method of dealing with urgent research
questions.11
Future medical research involving aircraft cabin air quality
Recommendation 5
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport request the
Strategic Research Development Committee of the National Health and Medical
Research Council to set up and undertake an appropriate research program on
the effect of exposure to aircraft cabin air on air crew and passengers. The
Committee also recommends that the Minister advise the Parliament on the form
and duration of, such a program as part of the Government response to this
report.
Conduct of proceedings arising from compensation claims
6.48 The Committee has described and discussed in Chapter 3 the evidence raised
during this inquiry from several pilots and cabin crew who have claimed that exposure
to cabin and cockpit air on the BAe 146 has led to health effects of sufficient severity
to prevent them from continued flying in the aircraft.
6.49 In several cases, these health affects have rendered these individuals incapable
of continued employment as pilots or cabin crew.
6.50 The Committee also heard evidence from several of those individuals
regarding difficulties they have encountered in achieving any final result in claims for
employee compensation, pilot's loss of licence insurance payments, personal income
protection insurance payments, and claims for the payment of other benefits.
6.51 Due to a number of these actions being incomplete or unheard, the Committee
considered it appropriate to receive evidence from those individuals in camera.
6.52 Four such cases were considered by the Committee, and in each case, each
individual told the Committee that they had encountered attitudes and approaches of
hostility, rejection, disbelief, and unreasonable delay in settling their claims. In
addition, the Committee was advised in camera by one litigant, that at least one
10 See, National Health and Medical Research Council, Annual Report 1998, pp 30-38.
11 See, National Health and Medical Research Council, Annual Report 1998, pp 38-45.
108
medical specialist involved in that person's case heard by a state employee
compensation tribunal was engaged by an operator as a medical consultant.
6.53 The Committee draws attention to the recent decision of the Queensland
Court of Appeal in relation to an action of Deborah Carter-v-Ansett Airlines. The
decision in that matter notes that a specialist toxicologist, Dr Pat Carroll prepared a
report on Ms Carter's case and subsequently became a consultant to Ansett.12
6.54 The Committee remains concerned at the possibility that proper procedural
fairness has not been observed in these matters.
6.55 The Committee has not investigated these claims, and considers it should not
investigate them further. They are matters before state workers' compensation
tribunals and civil courts. However, the Committee does consider that an appropriate
independent review should be undertaken of the cases it has considered.
Recommendation 6
While the Committee is aware that the cases referred to are a matter of state
jurisdiction, the Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport, in co-
operation with appropriate State Ministers, appoint an experienced, retired
judicial officer or eminent person who is appropriately qualified to conduct a
review of unsuccessful or inordinately delayed employees' compensation cases,
pilots' loss of license insurance, personal income protection, and with-held
superannuation/other insurance claims made for personal injury and loss of
employment as a result of ill health claimed to result from exposure to fumes on
the BAe 146 and other aircraft. That person should be asked to report to the
Minister on any conclusions they reach and whether those cases were dealt with
according to requirements and appropriate standards of procedural fairness.
The Committee also recommends that the Minister table the conclusions and any
recommendations it makes in the Parliament.
Test on Mobil Jet Oil II
6.56 In Chapter 3, the Committee describes the process available for independent
chemical analysis of compounds, such as Mobil Jet Oil II, used by industry. In
Australia, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme is
such a body.
6.57 As the Committee notes in Chapter 3, the issue of the chemical conduct of
Mobil Jet Oil II and its probable effect on health is a matter of contention between
Mobil, the operators of the BAe 146 and aircrew and pilots.
6.58 NICNAS has now placed Mobil Jet Oil II on its list of candidate chemicals for
review and assessment. NICNAS has informed the Committee that Mobil Jet Oil II
12 Carter-v-Ansett Australia, Queensland Court of Appeal, Appeal 5414 of 2000, para 8.
109
may be selected as a priority for review and assessment, subject to direction from the
government and relevant bodies.
Recommendation 7
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Employment, Workplace
Relations and Small Business, as the Minister responsible for national issues
affecting occupational health and safety authorise a review of the use of Mobil
Jet Oil II and that the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and
Assessment Scheme be requested to conduct this review.
The Committee also recommends that the potentially hazardous chemical
components of Mobil Jet Oil II be referred to NICNAS as a priority for review
and assessment.
Filtration of Aircraft Cabin Air
6.59 The Committee notes in Chapters 1 and 2 that various aviation regulations,
while regulating aircraft verification, do not currently require filtration of aircraft
cabin air.
6.60 As the Committee also notes in Chapter 1, Ansett Australia, as part of its
program of modification of its BAe 146 aircraft, has now installed filters on the
recirculating aircraft's air circulation system.
6.61 The Committee considers that, in view of continuing concern about aircraft
cabin air quality, CASA should, after assessment and consideration, give
consideration to requiring fitting of such filters to all commercial passenger jet aircraft
flying in Australia.
6.62 The Committee notes that an assessment concerning aircraft cabin air is
currently under way in the United States by a committee of the American Society of
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).13 It will be
important for the fitting of appropriate filters to be a uniform approach by all aviation
regulators, to ensure there are uniform international standards.
13 See, `Standardised Filtration Could Lead to More Comfortable Flights', News Release, ASHRAE,
June 30, 2000, www.ashrae.org/ABOUT/stdfil.htm.
110
Recommendation 8
The Committee recommends that CASA assess how quickly fitting appropriate
high-grade air filters can be made mandatory for all commercial airliners flying
in Australia to minimise any deleterious health effects arising from poor aircraft
cabin air on crew and passengers. In view of proposed standards currently under
consideration in the United States of America and elsewhere, such a system
should ideally be designed to remove at least 99% of particles 0.3 micron or
larger from recirculated cabin air.
Committee Summary
6.63 The Committee finally observes that completion of this inquiry represents the
first inquiry of its kind in the world. Extensive amounts of original information have
been gathered on the issue of cabin air quality on BAe 146 and, to a lesser extent, on
other aircraft. Similar investigations into cabin air quality are currently underway in
the United Kingdom and the United States. The Committee will forward this report to
all relevant international bodies with an interest or responsibility in this issue,
including:
The United States of America's National Institute of Occupational
?br>
Safety and Health;
The House of Lords Science and Technology sub-Committee inquiring
?br>
into aircraft cabin environment;
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
?br>
Engineers;
The United States Federal Aviation Authority;
?br>
The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority; and
?br>
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Australian Transport Safety
?br>
Investigation and all other appropriate regulatory bodies.
Senator John Woodley
Chairman
APPENDIX 1
LIST OF SUBMISSIONS
1 Mr Frank Kolver QLD
2 Dr Mark Donohoe, Environmental & Nutritional Medicine NSW
3 Dr Richard Teo NSW
4 Mr Stephen Tyrell ACT
5 Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, FRANCE
5A Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, FRANCE
5B Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, FRANCE
6 Dr Chris Winder NSW
7 Dr Judith Ford , Genetic Consulting & Testing SA
8 Dr C Van Netten, CANADA
9 Mr Andrew Thom & Mr Jonathon Burdon VIC
10 Ms Deborah Carter QLD
11 British Aerospace Australia Limited NSW
11A British Aerospace Australia Ltd NSW
11B British Aerospace Australia Ltd NSW
11C British Aerospace Australia Ltd NSW
11D British Aerospace Australia Ltd NSW
11E British Aerospace Australia Ltd NSW
12 The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and NSW
Assessment Scheme
13 Mobil Oil Australia Ltd VIC
13A Mobil Oil Australia Ltd VIC
14 Australian Federation of Air Pilots VIC
112
14A Australian Federation of Air Pilots VIC
14B Australian Federation of Air Pilots VIC
15 Department of Public Health WA
16 Ms Robin May SA
16A Ms Robin May SA
17 Ms Judy Cullinane WA
17A Ms Judy Cullinane WA
18 Ansett Pilots Association VIC
19 Association of Flight Attendants USA
20 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia ACT
21 Qantas Airways Limited NSW
21A Qantas Airways NSW
22 Ansett Australia VIC
23 National Jet Systems Pty Ltd SA
23A National Jet Systems Pty Ltd SA
24 Flight Attendants Association of Australia QLD
24A Flight Attendants Association of Australia QLD
25 American Society of Heating Refridgerating & Air- USA
conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
26 Ms Susan Michaelis NSW
27 Ms Lesley Williams ACT
28 Captain Richard Buncher NSW
29 Ms Belinda Hall WA
30 Mr Richard Best NSW
31 Ms Kerri Allison NSW
APPENDIX 2
LIST OF WITNESSES
CANBERRA, Monday, 1 November 1999
Associate Professor Chris Winder,
Head of the School of Safety Science, University of New South Wales
Australian Transport Safety Bureau / BASI
Ms Carol Boughton, Director Safety Investigations
Mr Barry Sargeant, Deputy Director Safety Investigations
Mr Brett Leyshon, Team Leader, South East Operations
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Mr Mick Toller, Director Aviation Safety
Mr Mike Smith, Assistant Director, Aviation Safety Promotion
Mr Rob Elder, Executive Manager, Government, Industry and International
Relations
Mr David Villiers, Airworthiness Engineer, Aviation Standards Division
CANBERRA, Tuesday, 2 November 1999
Ansett Australia
Captain Trevor Jensen, Executive General Manager, Operations and
Inflight Services
Dr David Lewis, Medical Director
Mr John Johnson, Engineering Fleet Manager
British Aerospace
Mr Bill Black, Senior Vice President, Customer Support,
Engineering and Quality
Mr Ivor Williams, Chief Systems Engineer
Mr Bruce Jones, Senior Vice President, Australasian Support
114
SYDNEY, Tuesday, 1 February 2000
Dr Mark Donohoe (private capacity)
Dr Robert Loblay (private capacity)
Dr Richard Teo (private capacity)
Australian Federation of Air Pilots
Mr Lawrie Cox, Senior Industrial Officer
Mr Clive Phillips (private capacity)
Qantas
Mr David Cox, Group General Manager, Regional Airlines & Fleet
Planning
Mr Paul Lidbury, Technical Manager, Regional Airlines
Mr Neville Kitto, Manager, Government Affairs
National Jet Systems
Captain John Siebert, Group General Manager, Aircraft Safety &
Regulation
Mr Peter Nottage, Executive Director
Mr Christopher Snook, Technical Services Manager
Mr Barry Lodge, Consultant and Former General Manager
Mobil Oil Australia Ltd
Mr Julian Plummer, Manager, Aviation Lubricant Sales
BRISBANE, Wednesday, 2 February 2000
Captain Frank Kolver (private capacity)
Flight Attendants' Association of Australia
Mr Brendan Treston, Occupational Health & Safety Representative ?QLD
Ms Susan Brookes, National Convenor, Occupational Health & Safety
Ansett Pilots' Association
Ms Erin Wood, Executive Director
Mr Michael Egan, Chairman, BAe146 Subcommittee, Member, Committee
of Management
115
CANBERRA, Monday, 13 March 2000
Dr Jean Christophe Balouet, Chair, Occupational/Environmental Sub-
Committee of Aerospace Medical Association and Chair, Airborne Chemicals
Committee of the International Society of Automotive Engineers
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Mr Mick Toller, Director of Aviation Safety
Mr Rob Elder, Executive Manager, Government, Industry and International
Relations
Mr David Villiers, Airworthiness Engineer, Aviation Standards Division
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Ms Carol Boughton, Director, Safety Investigations
Mr Brett Leyshon, Team Leader, South East Operations
CANBERRA, Tuesday, 14 March 2000
Dr Chris van Netten, Associate Professor, Department of Health Care and
Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine; Chair, Division of Occupational and
Environmental Health, Department of Health Care and Epidemiology; Faculty
Member, School of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of
Graduate Studies, University of British Columbia
CANBERRA, Monday, 10 April 2000
National Jet Systems
Captain John Siebert, Group General Manager, Aircraft Safety &
Regulation
Mr Peter Nottage, Executive Director
Mr Christopher Snook, Technical Services Manager
Mr Barry Lodge, Consultant & Former General Manager
BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace)
Mr Ivor Williams, Chief Systems Engineer
Mr Bruce Jones, Senior Vice President, Australasian Support
116
CANBERRA, Monday, 1 May 2000
Ansett Australia
Captain Trevor Jensen, Executive General Manager, Operations and
Inflight Services
Dr David Lewis, Medical Director
Mr John Johnson, Engineering Fleet Manager
Captain Roger Goulet, Pilot
Qantas Airways Ltd
Mr Paul Lidbury, General Manager, Engineering & Maintenance Business
Planning
Mr David Forsyth, Executive General Manager, Aircraft Operations
CANBERRA, Thursday, 17 August 2000
Mr Richard Best (private capacity)
APPENDIX THREE
ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF ATSB' DATABASE
SEARCH FOR FIRE/EXPLOSION/FUMES AS A FACTOR
- OCCURRENCES (1991 ?1999)
Abbreviated Summary of Database Search for Fire/Explosion/Fumes as a Factor ?Occurrences (1991 ?1999)
Aircraft Type "Oil Fumes" Galley Electrical Other 1 Totals
BAe-146 6 3 1 2 12
Boeing 737 4 13 4 10 31
Boeing 747 1 1 5 6 13
Boeing 727 1 0 1 0 2
Boeing 767 1 3 9 9 22
Fokker F28 1 0 1 1 3
Fokker F27 0 0 0 2 2
Airbus A320 0 3 2 1 6
Airbus A340 2 0 0 0 2
Totals 16 23 23 31 93
"Oil Fumes" ?includes occurrences where this description was used by crew to describe the odours present.
Galley ?fumes associated with the contamination or spillage of food and other material in the galley area.
Hydraulic ?failures with the hydraulic system that allowed fumes to enter the cabin.
Electrical ?failure of electrical components.
1 Other includes ?engine/APU failure, hydraulic system failure, lightning strike, bird strike, passengers smoking, cleaning chemicals, cargo problems or nothing could
be isolated on investigation.
APPENDIX FOUR
LIST OF INCIDENCES REPORTED TO
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
INVOLVING FUMES ON BAe 146 AIRCRAFT (TO DATE)
BETWEEN 5 AUGUST 1992 AND 29 DECEMBER 1999
PROVIDED BY THE
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
SUMMARY BAE 146 FUMES IN CABIN - 300 SERIES
5/8/92 - 2/1/96
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
5/8/92 EWJ - 1 Shortness of breath,
palpitations, need 02
24/12/93 - - 2 Vomiting, light-headedness,
headache, faintness,
breathlessness
-/11/94 - - 3 Severe headache for 2 days
20 & EWS 151 5 Black soot from vents over
21/1/95 each door exit. Cabin very hot
on 2nd day
2/2/95 - - 6 Nausea, lack of air, fatigue
4,5,6/2/95 EWI/EWS - 7 Exhaustion, dizziness
10/2/95 - - 8 Rotten egg type odour, nausea
11/2/95 - - 9 Migraines, eyes stinging,
heavy head, nausea every time
on these aircraft
12/2/95 - - 10 Shortness of breath, diagnosed
as asthma, lung x-ray
13/2/95 EWI - 11 Very nauseous, clumsy, light-
headed, headache next
morning
14/2/95- - - 12 Hypoxia, very tired, sore eyes
and throat
15/2/95 EWL - 13 Eye sight blurry, nausea on
landing, lack of oxygen
-/2/95 - - 14 Dry, fatigue, lethargy, smell in
cabin
17/2/95 - - 14 Shortness of breath, extreme
fatigue
122
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
17/2/95 EWS - 15 Headaches, tiredness, bad
smell
25/2/95 - - 16 Extreme fatigue, lack of 02
27/2/95 EWL/EW - 17 Headache, sore eyes, tight
S chest, dry throat, even after 2
legs
28/2/95 EWR 914/919 5 Black soot coming out of air
vents again
28/2/95 - - 18 Strong fumes entered cabin on
opening L1
2/3/95 EWI 213 19 Blast of fumes in forward
cabin on opening L1
8/3/95 EWA - 20 Hot and stuffy, lack of fresh
air over rear flight attendant
scat
23/3/95 EWS - 21 Bad headache again, after only
2 legs
20/4/95 - 283 22 All 3 flight attendants smelt
very strong smell in aircraft
and on aerobridge. Tingling on
end of tongue, headiness, dry
sore throat, general sick
feeling. Captain said there had
been a battery acid spill in hold
previous sector and smell in
hold on previous sector and
smell was cleaning agent.
Smell over powering. Delayed
departure but operated flights.
Smell intensified on landing
each sector.
15/4/95 EWL 3052 5 Black soot above door exits
again
123
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
3/5/95 EWS - 23 Headache, sore eyes, stomach
cramps, nausea
3/5/95 EWS 32 24 Nausea, headache, dry throat,
sore eyes, bad smell in cabin
4/5/95 EWS 64 24 Strong smell came through
when Captain asked to heat
cabin
29/5/95 EWI 104 3 Bad smell forward galley 40
mins after take off. Residue of
soot on forward galley ceiling.
Smell bad next 2 legs. Burning
nostrils, smarting eyes
31/5/95 EWR - 25 Nausea, burning eyes, fumes
on boarding, pack bum done
on arrival, fumes worse on
subsequent legs
31/5/95 EWR 197 26 As above
5/6/95 EWL 104 27 Felt nauseous on 3 legs, worse
on take off and landing
22/7/95 - - 28 Hypoxia and headache - all
crew
22/7/95 - - 29 As above, 4 legs Syd/Mck x 2
28/7/95 EWI - 30,31,32 Fumes in rear galley on
descent, nauseous on descent
and for sometime after landing
9/10/95 EWR - 33 Bad smell on take off and
landing, dry eyes and throat,
fatigue. Same aircraft had to be
ferried, following week with
flight attendants on 02 (heard)
124
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
26/10/95 EWR 196 34 & 35 Smoky haze and fumes in
cabin on engine start-up.
Irritation to eyes, nose throat.
Engine shut down, doors open
to ventilate. Ferried aircraft to
Sydney and smoke re-occurred
on taxiing for take off. No 4 &
35 required 02. Light-headed,
sore eyes, headaches,
nauseous. Flight attendants
sough medical attention in
Sydney.
27/12/95 EWS 981 17 One pac only operating.
Difficulty breathing, tightness
in chest, hot
27/12/95 EWS 981 36 & 37 As above. Dry eyes, throat and
headache
2/1/96 EWL 981 36 Extremely stuffy in cabin.
Short of breath and passengers
also complained.
- - - 38 Headaches, fatigue, car
problems
- - - 39 Stinging eyes, weeping eyes
and nose similar symptoms to
hayfever
- - - 40 Fuzzy headed, headache,
drained, 02 starved. Clear
rapidly once off aircraft
- - - 41 Nausea experienced at times
after inhaling fumes
21/10/? EWI - 42 Fuel smell in rear section of
cabin
- - - 43 Nausea, headaches, migraine
frequently when flying on 146
125
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
-/4/ EWI 549 4 & 44 All 3 flight attendants
experienced sore eyes, dry
noses and burning throats on
these last two sectors. Smell in
the cabin. Very dry air due to
cooling to decrease odour. No
44 had a blood nose during the
night. No 4 developed a
migraine which carried over to
the next day and had to consult
a Dr who diagnosed sinusitis.
31/3/96 EWS 196 45 Hot and stuffy in cabin 30
mins after t/off . Asked Capt to
lower cabin temp. Thermostat
located in o/head locker. When
air temp gauge read 00 it was
bearable but still stuffy
Dryness and burning at back of
nose and throat. Still sore next
day after gargling with salt
water. There were no visible
fumes in cabin.
126
SUMMARY BAE 146 FUMES IN CABIN - 200 SERIES
18/11/94 ?20/1/96
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
18/11/94 JJS 488 15 Fumes in cabin. Burning eyes,
shortness of breath, nausea,
headaches, sore throat, swollen
glands, fever (R)
18/11/94 JJS 488 14 As above. Flight attendants in
rear cabin on O2 (R)
18/11/94 JJS 488 20 As above (R)
19/1/94 - - 16 Nausea and headache on
several occasions
20/1/94 JJP - 10 Sick on top of descent, shaky
legs
21/1/95 JJX 481 19 Swollen glands, headache,
nausea
6/2/95 - - 9 Nausea, bronchial pneumonia,
stomach cramps, migraine
13/2/95 - - 13 Nausea, headaches
25/2/95 JJW - 11 Hot oil smell, fuzzy headed by
end of tour of duty
20/3/95 JJT - 6 All 3 flight attendants felt
nauseated
31/3/95 JJQ - 5 Horrific smell at rear of cabin.
Nauseated, had vomited on
other flights
6/6/95 JJQ 485 7 Oily, strong fumes rear cabin.
Coughing, sore eyes,
congested complexion, dry
nose and mouth
8/6/95 JJX 368 8 Hazy smoke in cabin
127
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
26/6/95 JJT - 1 & 25 After take off very strong
fumes in cabin. Stifling and
irritating, nausea and
headaches first 1/2 hour of
flight
28/6/95 JJT - 3 Fumes in rear of aircraft.
Headache, nausea, fatigue
5/7/95 JJT - 1&4 All 3 flight attendants had
tightness in chest, sore throats,
headaches, slurred speech from
purser during P/A
5 & 6/7/95 JJT, JJX - 4 Sore stinging eyes, nausea,
fatigue, sore throat on descent
7/7/95 JJP - 1 Sore eyes, glands came up,
sore throat and red rash on
neck, couldn't stop coughing
for first 1/2 of flight
8/7/95 JJU - 5 Irritation to eyes, sinus
congestion, light headed
8/7/95 JJU - 6&25&27 Affected by fumes in cabin.
Stinging eyes, sore throat, tight
chest, coughing. Flight
sequence interrupted.
10/7/95 JJS 481 1 Nausea on take off for all 4
sectors
11/7/95 JJT 481 1 Nausea and burning nasal
passages (3 legs)
12/7/95 JJT 481 1 Nausea, slight headaches,
exhaustion
14/7/95 JJP 481 1 Usual smell and symptoms
16/7/95 JJQ, JJP - 2 Runny nose, headache, sore
eyes, fatigue
128
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
17/7/95 JJP 481 1 Dry throat, nausea, light
headed, dry watery eyes
17/7/95 JJP - 5 Burning eyes and light
headedness
20/7/95 JJT - 5 Eye pain, headache, vomiting
31/7/95 JJU 481 1 All 3 flight attendants affected
by fumes which were
odourless
15/8/95 JJT - 2 Headaches, stomach upset,
sore neck, watery eyes, bad
smell throughout cabin
14/9/95 JJX 481 1 No smell detected but usual
symptoms ?headache, nausea,
burning nostrils
20/9/95 JJQ 481 21 Overwhelming odour on
descent & ascent, nausea,
coughing, chest pain, headache
6/10/95 JJS 488 3 Sore throat, burning inside
nostrils, burning eyes, dull
headache, nausea, fatigue
9/1/96 JJT 481 22 25 & 21 notice fume smell on
boarding aircraft. Smell
increased after take off. Red
eyes, metallic taste in mouth,
dull headache. After take off
on each leg (3) and on landing
the smell was detected strongly
by Flight Deck and Purser
15/1/96 JJQ 480 23 Fumes in cabin, sharp
headache behind eyes and
forehead, nausea. No 4 had
strange taste in mouth. No 21
had nausea and strange taste
129
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
17/1/96 JJS - 3 & 26 Airless cabin on taxiing, hot,
cabin filled up with smoke
after take off. Returned to
CNS. Dizzy, giddy, headache
20/1/96 JJU - 24 Inhaled oil fumes, sore throat,
burning eyes
- - - 17 Physically ill on two
occasions. Passenger smelt
fumes on another when flight
attendant felt nauseous.
Captain explained it was just
oil fumes coming through the
air conditioning vents
9/94-1/95 JJS, JJT, 18 Chest pains, headaches, fly
JJS symptoms, very sore throat,
fatigue, sore eyes
1/94 JJQ? - 12 Nose hurt when inhaling,
burning sensation. No smell.
Seemed to improve when
Captain changed over air pacs.
25/1/96 JJP - 1 Sore throat, nausea, tired,
suffocated. No smell of fumes,
dull headache next day
1/2/96 JJS - 1 Nausea, dry sore throats, stuffy
nose, sore dry eyes, haze in
forward cabin
2/2/96 JJS - 1 Headache, nausea, dry throat,
sore glands, tight chest.
Gasping for air when making
P/A's, forgetful and clumsy by
end of tour
130
DATE REG FLT NO. DESCRIPTION
7/2/96 JJT - 1 All 3 felt ill on descent of first
leg. Headache x 1 dry sore
throats, runny noses x 2. F/0
had headache. Low energy
levels, tried 02. On 2nd leg all
3 flight attendants felt ill on
take off and landing
16/2/96 JJT - 1 Fumes on take off in rear cabin
(2 legs) and on descent, very
strong last (3rd) leg. Headache
x 1, fatigue, lethargic after
duty
17/2/96 JJT - 1 All 3 flight attendants ill by
end of 2nd leg. Headache x 1
on last (3rd) leg. Seventh day
on this aircraft type with
headache, neck pain
17/2/96 JJX - 6 Pax asked on boarding about
"awful smell". 3 flight
attendants had sore red eyes by
end of 1st leg
9/3/96 JJQ - 22 & 25 Fumes smell strong on descent
into DRW. Asked Captain to
report as per procedure. Next
day maintenance log checked
because smell still present and
it had not been reported.
10/3/96 JJQ - 22 & 25 Strong smell on descent into
CNS. Nausea and headache.
All 3 flight attendants affected.
131
SUMMARY OF BAe 146 FUME REPORTS
FROM 24TH MARCH 1996 TO 11TH FEBRUARY 1998
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
24/3/96 JJP 483 48 Strong smell fumes take/off &
ldg Nausea rear cabin.
27/5/96 JJX 480 49 Distinct metallic and
nauseating smell all 4 sectors.
16/6/96 EWR 185 45 Fumes on boarding.
6/8/96 JJT 485 44 Smell and throat irritation on
climb and in all sections of
cabin. No air sampler.
17/8/96 EWM 261 58 Nausea, throat irritation cruise
and descent in rear cabin.
17/8/96 EWM 964 59 All stages of flt, eye and throat
irritation, trouble breathing.
21/9/96 EW 271 47 Fumes on boarding. Throat
irritation, nausea.
22/11/96 EWM 176 60 Cabin filled with smoke on
pushback. Controlled
evacuation.
16/2/97 EWM 966 61 After take/off headaches,
nausea, sweating, dizzy, on
descent faint.
7/3/97 JJU 485 46 Smell, during cruise, through
out cabin. Lethargic, headache.
13/3/97 EWM 273 56 Nausea on descent. Lack of
concentration (6 legs 2 days).
17/3/97 EWM 271 21 Eyes and throat irritation.
Nausea and on descent
vomiting.
17/3/97 EWS 272 21 Vomiting.
132
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
22/3/97 EWM 262 21 All areas of cabin, breathing
difficulties, tight chest take/off
and landing. Headache tingling
in nose etc nausea.
8/4/97 EWS 104 21 Rear to mid cabin eye and
throat irritation burning noses,
cruise till top of descent.
8/4/97 EWS 283 21 Headaches, burning sense in
nose, dizzy, vague, dry throat,
oily taste fatigue.
9/4/97 EWS 67 53 In c/pit, on ground till cruise
eye and throat irrit.
11/4/97 EWI 276 51 Chemical odour. Stinging eyes
cabin and c/pit.
12/4/97 ? 64 54 Nausea on descent, salivating,
headache, clammy and sweaty.
14/4/97 EWS 122 55 Eye and throat irritation
headache, dizzy, faint, nausea,
vague, respiratory distress,
vomiting.
16/4/97 EWS 273 52 Sinus symptoms, throat
irritation, unusual taste,
hypoxia.
21/4/97 EWI 254 50 Top of descent, tight chest
stinging eyes, pain in nose
light headed and faint.
30/4/97 JJS 490 62 Rear cabin plastic chemical
smell. Throat irritation on
take-off.
30/4/97 JJT 62 63 Eye irritation rear cabin on
descent.
1/5/97 JJS 490 42 Fuel smell rear cabin.
133
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
2/5/97 JJP 134 43 Fuel smell on boarding.
2/5/97 EWI 262 41 Crew felt dizzy by end of 4th
leg and for 20 mins after.
5/5/97 EWM 548 57 Nausea. 5 days S/L. Inflamed
liver. Cause unknown.
9/5/97 EWI 254 37 Smell after take off mid cabin.
13/5/97 EWS 262 40 Burning throat and nose. Light
headed.
22/5/97 JJW 482 39 Smell, eye and throat irritation,
oily taste in mouth on ground
25/5/97 EWR 151 38 Itchy eyes all stages.
15/6/97 JJT 323 36 Strong smell last stages
descent and landing.
4/7/97 EWS 261 27 Nausea and stomach cramps.
17/797 JJ 117 28 Nausea. Lethargy. Very
noticeable fumes. Headache.
23/7/97 JJQ 323 29 Smell rear galley area.
Taxiing, climb. Throat.
23/7/97 JJQ 347 30 Acid, chemical smell on
taxiing. Dry throat and nasal
passages. Desire to cough
persistent.
26/7/97 JJT 490 8 Smell like varnish in c/pit on
ground till cruise.
27/7/97 JJU 482 31 Smell rear cabin.
27/7/97 JJQ 392 32 Odour on taxiing. Dry cleaning
fluid
29/7/97 JJQ 393 33 Odour. Take off and ldg at L1.
Nausea top of descent.
134
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
30/7/97 JJP 490 34 Odour from LHS vent in c/pit
in cruise. Sneezing & nasal
irritation.
1/8/97 JJU 326 35 Oily smell in c/pit after
take-off.
8/8/97 JJW 1481 20 Smell in c/pit on ground.
9/8/97 EWI 285 21 Oil smell climb and descent
eye throat irritation.
18/8/97 JJQ 487 22 Smell fwd cabin. Nausea
throat irritation. Headache.
21/8/97 JJQ 487 19 Acrid smell rear cabin on take
off. 30 minutes into flt all
through cabin.
21/8/97 JJQ 457 18 Acrid smell rear cabin.
Dissipated on ground.
24/8/97 EWR 64 16 Nausea on t/off hot sweats
headache 2nd leg, vomited.
Light headed, fuel, gas smell
rear and fwd cabin.
24/8/97 EWS 263 17 Electrical chemical smell.
Nausea all stages of flt.
29/8/97 JJT 354 15 Capt noticed slight but definite
smell in c/pit after take/off.
20/9/97 EWS 261 68 No odour. Stuffy cabin.
Breathing difficult. Nausea.
Vomiting. Metallic taste.
21/9/97 EWS 2261 24 Oil smell evident c/pit 1st fly
this day. APU air on. Throat
irritation.
23/9/97 JJS 485 23 Sore throat. Light headed.
Odour on ground. Headache.
Oily aftertaste c/pit & cabin.
135
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
28/9/97 EWM 60 26 Tight chest. Shallow breathing
Running nose. No odour. 4
legs.
30/9/97 EWR 264 25 Eye irritation, sore throat oily
smell rear cabin tight chest
headache.
30/9/97 EWR 51 25 As above.
2/10/97 JJP 134 43 Fuel smell on boarding.
5/10/97 JJP 480 43 Fumes on boarding a/c
persisted in flt. Metallic taste,
sneezing all cabin zones.
Stronger fumes rear cabin on
shutdown.
5/10/97 EWS 2130 71 Mid cabin hot metal smell
cruise.
5/10/97 JJP 481 43 Rear cabin throat irritation
respiration difficulty headache.
After take-off.
6/10/97 JJP 139 62 Smell on take-off. Sulphur,
metallic taste. Odour fwd
cabin also.
6/10/97 EWI 262 63 Hot cabin from take-off and all
flt. Light headed Slight
hypoxia.
26/10/97 EWS 267 69 Rear cabin vomit smell.
29/10/97 EWR 254 70 Fwd galley, cruise, throat irrit.
29/10/97 EWS 151 4 Fwd cabin on climb, c/pit
odour. Eye throat irritation
h/ache. Dizzy nausea Capt on
02 a/c grounded.
29/10/97 JJX 328 8 Smell oil fumes in c/pit on
ground, taxi and take-off.
136
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
4/11/97 JJU 492 66 Oil fumes smell mid cabin on
ground.
7/11/97 JJW 404 64 Rear & fwd cabin, eye
irritation respiratory difficulty,
headache fatigue take-off &
descent 5 day trip this a/c
Purser still off flying Loss of
motor co-ordination, slurred
speech etc.
8/11197 EWS 263 65 Rear f/a seat after take-off.
Nausea and salivation. Light
headed dizzy.
8/11/97 JJW 407 12 Increase in pressure after take
off. Pax experienced nausea,
hot. Seated 2A.
8/11/97 JJW 407 13 Pax felt puffy eyes & face.
breathless, pressure in head
and chest, take-off and Ldg.
8/11/97 JJW 407 14 Pax felt nausea. burning head,
stomach queasy, t/off & ldg.
8/11/97 JJW 404 6 Nausea, hot, giddy exhaustion.
5 day trip.
8/11/97 JJW 404 7 After take-off.
8/11/97 JJW 407 11 Pax felt same effects and cock/
pit crew.
10/11/97 JJW 372 8 Smell, throat irritation on
ground, taxi, take off.
16/11/97 EWR 278 10 Trembling hands, hot, tingling,
sweating, dizzy, laboured
breath on descent. No fumes.
21/11/97 EWS 266 3 Eye and throat irritation nausea
dizzy, light headed, salivation.
137
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
21/11/97 EWR 278 4 Nausea, fatigue, salivation.
Hot. Dizzy on descent.
22/11/97 EWS 272 4 Eye, throat irritation, nausea
dizzy, light headed, salivation.
24/11/97 EWM 122 5 Smell in c/pit on ground.
28/11/97 EWM 273 9 Acrid oily smell. Eye irritation
lungs heavy, headache,
breathless fwd and rear cabin.
6/12/97 EWS 151 72 Nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness,
pressure in head, hot.
13/12/97 EWM 272 56 On ground. Smell only.
10/12/97 EWS 276 72 Nausea, dizziness, over
heating severe headache, no
odour.
21/12/97 JJT 68 74 Lethargic, weak on arrival.
Other f/a sore itchy eyes,
throat.
28/12/97 JJW 323 75 Cruise, strong burning rubber
smell rear galley. Throat
irritation headache.
2/1/98 EWS 2273 4 Fwd cabin. Nausea, salivation,
hot and dizzy.
4/1/98 EWM 64 73 After take-off. Gas smell,
headache.
21/1/98 JJS 2330 2 Chemical odour. Light headed
on ground.
23/1/98 JJS 323 35 Oily smell in c/pit on ground.
24/1/98 JJQ 417 1 Burnt smell after take-off.
24/1/98 JJS 370 76 Strong fumes on taxiing
throughout cabin.
138
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
24/1/98 EWR 261 77 On approach in cockpit.
1/2/98 EWS 263 72 Pax. Rear cabin. Throat
irritation. Nausea.
1/2/98 EWS 262 78 Nausea throat irritation.
2/2/98 EWM 64 79 Tight chest. Eye irritation
headaches.
6/2/98 JJX 499 80 Synthetic oily smell on take-
off in cockpit.
8/2/98 JJT 393 81 Rear and fwd cabin. Electrical
smell from air-con ducts. On
take-off and 1dg.
8/2/98 JJT 392 82 On ground taxiing in, then
turning before take off, fwd
and rear cabin. Eye, throat
irritation, smell.
9/2/98 EWS 277 72 Fwd and rear cabin, no odour,
eye irritation after take-off
until landing.
11/2/98 JJT 71 23 Hot metal fwd and rear cabin
on ground.
11/2/98 JJT 481 83 T/off rear cabin metallic oil
smell. Eye irritation 4 mins +.
11/2/98 JJT 77 83 Headache, sore eyes while
taxiing.
11/2/98 JJT 62 83 Take-off climb and landing
rear cabin.
14/2/98 EWM 64 1. Burning electrical smell then
chemical. Faint dizzy, chest
pain, light headed. On climb.
14/2/98 EWM 151 1. Headache, nauseous, as above
sector
139
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
27/2/98 EWS 262 2. Stale sickly smell. Felt dizzy
and shakey. Fumes from F/O's
air vent rhs Ground, T/off,
landing. APU on.
27/2/98 EWR 151 3 Cruise, engine air selected
FWD galley. Eye and throat
Irritation
17/3/98 JJQ 401 4 Shortly after take-off a noxious
odour. Oil type smell.
23/3/98 EWI 273 5 Nausea, dizzy, shaking,
difficulty breathing, numb toes
fingers, tingling back scalp
tongue. Improvement on
descent using oxygen
cylinders. Rear cabin, engine
air.
2/4/98 EWS 282 6 Fwd cabin, petro-chem smell.
On ground, disembarkation
Strange taste in mouth APU
operating. Instant headache.
7/4/98 EWR 151 7 Rear cabin during cruise
Gasoline smell rows 16-18
Take-off and climb. Fatigue.
10/4/98 EWI 142 8 Rear cabin, acid smell, eye and
throat irritation. Nausea,
coughing. Tight chest 3 times
during flt. During climb,
engine air selected. Asthma
attack induced. Sick leave.
17/4/98 JJS 370 9 Oily smell on ground. Flt deck
only. Nausea.
19/20/4/98 EWR 131 10 All sections cabin .Nausea,
odour, eye/throat irritation,
faintness.
140
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
16/17/4/98 EWI 131 .10 All sections of cabin.
Eye/throat irritation. Metallic
taste, stale smell, dryness,
headache. Faintness.
20/4/98 EWM 278 11 Descent. Rear cabin. Foul
smell. Headache f/a working
rear cabin. Methane type odour
row 15 to rear. APU s
switched over at 4,000.
22/4/98 JJP 401 12 On pushback. Smoke detector
in rear toilet. Blue smokey
haze in rear cabin. Fire-
fighting procedure initiated.
Capt said it had occurred the
day before. Fumes, burning
eyes/throat irritation. APU
selected.
17/4/98 EWM 4 5 On descent, metho smell
approx. 1 minute duration fwd
cabin. Sore throat nausea
headache on descent. Engine
air, no vents operating in
cabin.
16/4/98 EWM ? 13 Air vents not working. MEL 3
day limit. Cabin fan U/S.
13/5/98 JJS 392 14 Strong burning rubber smell
mid cabin, 4-7 minutes
descent. Headaches. Engine
air.
18/5/98 JJX 319 15 Odour pre flt all cabin and flt
deck. Headache nausea. APU
air.
21/5/98 JJU 346 16 Smell when pax boarding.
Strong acrid odour on take-
Off, and inflt after turbulence.
141
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
21/5/98 JJU 342 19 On climb, smell rear galley
burning, engine air.
23/5/98 JJP 382 17 Fwd and rear galleys. Strong
electrical odour/fire.
Eye/throat irritation, dizziness.
Take-off and ldg. APU
Change-over from engine.
23/5/98 JJP 407 18 Rear cabin burning smell on
climb, APU air.
24/5/98 JJU 319 20 Hot oil smell, eye irritation,
metallic taste, nausea, heavy
head. Sore throat coughing
after flt. Slight mist in cabin.
Rear cabin at engine change
over on take-off.
26/5/98 JJU 381 21 All sections of cabin, from
start up on ground taxiing.
APU air selected. Tight Chest,
light headed, heavy Dusty
feeling in throat.
26/5/98 JJU 380 21 On crew boarding, over-
powering oily smell. Pack burn
slight improvement. Rear
cabin smell returned on climb.
29/5/98 JJP 329 22 Chemical smell rear and
forward cabin take-off APU
selected. Throat irritation,
headaches.
31/5/98 JJS 62/77 23 Oily metallic smell, dizzy, eye
irritation. On ground, take-off.
APU selected.
1/6/98 JJU 375 14 Eye irritation, mild hypoxia
dry eyes, skin, mouth, nausea,
salivation, mild head-ache. No
odour. Engine air.
142
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
2/6/98 JJS 380 23 Oily, CO vomitous smell. On
crew boarding, eye and Throat
irritation. Nausea. APU air
selected. All cabin.
2/6/98 JJS 381 23 As above. Metallic, dusty
taste. Stinging, streaming eyes
APU air selected. APU
MEL'd.
3/6/98 JJT 319 15 After take-off during climb.
Eye irritation.
4/6/98 EWR 262 24 Flt deck, mild oily odour all
phases of flt. Headache, eye
throat irritation APU air
selected.
25/6/98 JJT 310 9 Flt deck. Oily, vinegar smell.
APU air. On ground on climb.
26/6/98 EWM 276 27 Fwd cabin flt deck. Eye
27/6/98 EWM 271 27 Eye irritation, respiratory
difficulties. PU on 02 on
descent. APU not operating
Engine air selected
28/6/98 EWM 131 28 Hot and clammy, shortness of
breath, disorientation, metallic
taste, nausea, headache,
fatigue.
28/6/98 EWM 261 29 Eye and throat irritation. Mild
hypoxia. Whole cabin During
cruise. Engine air.
1/7/98 EWI 285 25 Eye throat irritation. On climb.
Engine air, rear cabin
Chemical, burning smell.
143
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
9/7/98 JJU 406 26 Rear cabin, take-off and climb,
chemical (chlorine?) cleaning
fluid smell. Nausea and
headache. APU and eng.
10/7/98 JJU 310 21 Flt deck and all cabin areas.
On boarding ground. Felt
intoxicated. Difficulty
Concentrating. Memory lapse.
Dissipated after take-off.
10/7/98 JJU 310 21 Sweet, acidic smell next sector
on descent landing. Engine air
selected.
14/7/98 JJW 392 30 On descent, burning throat,
rear cabin. APU air selected
18/7/98 EWM 541 32 Eye and throat irritation Light
headed. Rear cabin.
20/7/98 EWR 285 31 Rear cabin after t/off at
28/7/98 JJW 343 24 Occasional acrid oily odour flt
deck. Engine air. Eye throat
irritation. During cruise.
30/7/98 JJS 381 .33 Smell on boarding a/c. Child
pax 13 yrs felt nauseous.
Parent said it was the smell.
2/8/98 JJX 391 34 Burning plastic smell in flt
deck on take-off. Engine air
4/8/98 JJP 310 35 Electrical odour, rear cabin,
descent and landing. Slight
headache. APU selected.
4/8/98 JJP 310 35 Next sector, all flight odour,
above last row of seats,
headache became more severe
after take-off 2nd sector APU
and engine air
144
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
4/8/98 JJP 310 23 Headache instant when
working rear galley. Smell all
flight, became worse on
landing. APU and Eng. Air.
26/8/98 JJP 62 9 On ground, climb, descent
Varnish smell, metallic taste
Flt deck, consistent with APU
air on.
19/9/98 JJS 499 21 Fwd cabin fog/mist in cabin
usual ? sweet smell. Descent
engine air selected.
26/9/98 JJT 2380 36 Strong chemical smell. APU
take-off rear cabin.
19/10/98 JJX 374 18 Rear cabin, nauseous after
landing previous flt 321.
6/11/98 EWM 542 37 Chemical taste in throat
Taxiing for take-off, And on
descent. Tight chest, Throat
discomfort. consistent with
changing from Engine to APU
air.
7/11/98 JJT 234/5 38 Rear cabin fumes and fwd
Throat irritation. 2 pax had
Headaches. Slight respiratory
problems. Climb, cruise.
Engine air.
10/11/98 EWR 285 31 Flt deck. Sweaty sox oil smell
shortly after start up and
selecting APU. Dissipated on
taxi
12/11/98 EWI 104 37 On taxi, metallic taste, general
feeling of un-wellness, mild
hypoxia, light headed. Cruise,
eng. Air.
145
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
12/11/98 EWI 231 39 Rear cabin, odour, eye, throat
irritation, strong smell during
cruise. Engine air.
22/11/98 JJX 327 40 Smell, eye irritation after take-
off. Smelt like fuel. Engine air.
22/11/98 JJX ? 41 On take off both f/a's felt
unwell. Light headed, dizzy,
blurred vision rear cabin. Fwd
cabin PU developed thumping
headache. One had to sit down
after Landing due faint,
nauseous.
13/12/98 JJQ 364 42 Rear cabin, all stages of sector.
Dizziness, faint, confusion,
nausea, fatigue, headache. 6
pax and 1 ccm. Pax vomited.
APU and engine air selected.
18/1/99 EWI 266/7 43 Eye throat nose irritation
Cruise. Engine air. All cabin
19/1/99 EWI 266/7 43 Headache nausea, throat
irritation Poor ventilation
20/1/99 JJT 320/3 24 Oily foul odour, at switch over
from engine air to APU in flt
deck. On descent. Nasal
irritation.
8/2/99 JJT 394/5 45 Flt deck. Smell, headache
nausea, dizziness. Cabin crew
no odour but mounting nausea,
light headed.
9/2/99 JJT 393 22 Fwd cabin flt deck. On ground
during climb. Supply duct
inoperative. APU and engine
air. Eye irritation headache,
hypoxia, nausea. Cabin crew
took 02.
146
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
9/2/99 EWM 277 31 Flt deck odour only. F/o
sneezed. APU air selected On
ground.
12/2/99 EWS 131 47 Air con pack U/S. Hot, tight
chest, light headed. PU on 02.
Later nauseous. Flt deck hotter
than cabin. F/O had to sit in
terminal After previous flt to
recover.
16/2/99 EWS 131 48 Cabin never cooled down
Extremely uncomfortable
Working conditions.
28/2/99 EWI 268 47 APU u/s. Hot and
uncomfortable until in the air.
1/3/99 EWI 261 47 As above.
8/3/99 EWS 271 49 Fumes in flt deck while on
ground, taxi and t/off. And
landing at switch over To APU
from engine air. Eye and throat
irritation.
8/3/99 EWS 231 49 As above.
8/3/99 EWS 231 50 Musty odour in flt deck. Flt
deck crew asked PU to Bring
sample kit fwd.
23/3/99 EWS 543 51 Only one air con pack
working. Pax and cabin crew
complained of heat, lack of air.
Pax smelt fumes mid cabin,
felt nauseous.
2/4/99 EWI ? 54 Cabin crew had headaches,
sore eyes from duty previous
night into CBR.
147
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
11/4/99 JJS 369 46 Rear cabin, foul, dirty odour
Nose itchy, dry, eye irritation.
Breathing difficulty. Cabin
crew 1 on 02. Cruise, engine
air selected.
4/5/99 EWS 261 52 Smell only. Flt deck. APU air
on ground.
10/5/99 EWI 263 53 Electrical, heat smell. On
descent. Engine air.
6/6/99 EWR 4 57 Rear cabin. Burning oil smell.
Felt faint, tingling fingers and
hands, throat irritation,
metallic taste. Hard to
concentrate to Take air sample.
On approach. Bad headache
after.
6/6/99 EWM 266 14 Pax reported terrible smell rear
mid cabin. Burning. On cruise,
engine air selected
23/6/99 EWS 542 55 Oil smell flt deck on ground
with APU air selected.
27/6/99 EWR 4/67 56 No odour, nausea, visual
disturbances, breathing
difficulties, tingling fingers,
rushes of energy at top of
head. Most severe at take-off
and Landing.
30/6/99 EWS 104 58 On boarding a/c cheesey, dirty
socks smell. Vented a/c by
opening doors. Probably APU
air selected.
7/7/99 EWR 262 59 Headache, breathlessness,
cabin overheated. Inadequate
airflow.
148
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
23/7/99 EWS 151 60 Rear and mid cabin after take-
off strong acidic smell Cabin
crew were hot, shivery, had
headaches. APU air Selected
for landing.
23/7/99 EWS 151 61 Pungent smell rear of a/c Felt
ill just after take-off Acidic
oily smell. F/a relieved from
further duty.
23/7/99 EWS 151 62 Burning in back of throat,
Cabin extremely hot. Asked
for cabin to be Cooled. Did not
happen. Nauseous on landing
Cabin crew taken to medical
centre after landing.
25/7/99 JJQ 399 21 Fume occurrence on descent.
Possible oil leak. Mid/fwd
cabin. Strong Oily odour.
Engine air Selected.
25/7/99 EWS 535/4 63 Eye and throat irritation. On
descent. APU air.
31/7/99 EWS 273 64 Flt deck. Smell, eye throat
irritation. Cruise descent,
engine air.
3/8/99 JJX 372 66 Chemical fumes rear and Fwd
cabin. Nausea, pale, clammy,
shaking. APU air on take-off.
5/8/99 JJP 319 67 Oil, mechanical smell. All
cabin. Pax complained on push
back and start up APU air
selected.
5/8/99 JJT 367 68 Rear and fwd cabin, oily
burning smell, short burst of
nausea, just after take-off.
Engine air selected.
149
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
6/8/99 JJT 372/3 65 Oily smell, just after power on
for take-off both sectors. Rear
cabin.
11/8/99 JJT 347 69 Hot engine oil smell. Rear
cabin on climb. Throat
Irritation. Light headed.
Engine air selected
11/8/99 EWS 151/122 51 APU u/s. cabin became hot
and oppressive on t/around.
Asked for cabin to be cooled 5
times during flt, to no lasting
effect.
11/8/99 EWS 64 52 Fumes in flt deck. Smell only.
12/8/99 EWS 266/7 70 Smelly socks. Fwd cabin and
flt deck. Climb, APU and
engine air.
19/8/99 JJQ 343 66 Dirty socks, vomit type odour.
Eye and throat irritation Light
headed and headaches. Rows
5-6. Engine air, cruise APU
not operating.
1st sector, huge headache, no
19/8/99 EWS 151 71
smell. 2nd sector metallic
smell at row 10. Burning,
gritty eyes, metallic taste.
Crew deplaned BNE sent to
Drs. Sore throat all night.
20/8/99 EWM 263 52 Flt deck. Acrid oil smell.
Throat irritation. On take-Off.
Engine air selected.
20/8/99 EWS 104 72 Rear and fwd cabin. No
odour, dry eyes and throat. All
cabin crew felt ill. APU not
operating. Engine Air selected.
Shakey and Bad taste in mouth
150
DATE REG FLT RESP DESCRIPTION
21/8/99 EWS 151 73 Pax seated mid cabin reported
strong burning rubber smell
during cruise. APU not
operating. Engine air.
26/8/99 JJU 319 74 Fluid leaking on taxi for take-
off. Fluid stopped so departed.
Smell evident on climb. Crew
moved to fwd cabin away from
odour. Burning oil smell.
Throat Irritation and nausea.
APU Operating. Engine air
selected.
27/8/99 JJU 310 67 Smell rear and mid cabin. Oily
smell. Pack burn had been
done prior to crew boarding.
Hot and uncomfortable. APU
air selected.
APPENDIX FIVE
RELEVANT CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS
AND PUBLICATIONS
153
EXTRACT FROM CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 (CARs)
2 Interpretation
In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:
...
major defect, in relation to an aircraft, means a defect of such a kind that it may affect the
safety of the aircraft or cause the aircraft to become a danger to person or
property.
154
EXTRACT FROM CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 (CARs)
48 Maintenance release to recommence to be in force
(1) Where a maintenance release in respect of an aircraft ceases to be in force by virtue
of an endorsement made under subregulation 47 (1), the maintenance release shall again
commence to be in force if:
(a) where the endorsement refers to a requirement or condition in respect of the
maintenance of the aircraft not having been complied with--there is entered
on the maintenance release or other document on which the endorsement was
made a certification in accordance with regulation 42ZE or 42ZN, that the
maintenance to which the requirement or condition relates has been
completed;
(b) where the endorsement refers to the aircraft having suffered major damage or
having developed a major defect--there is entered on the maintenance release
or other document on which the endorsement was made a certification, in
accordance with regulation 42ZE or 42ZN, that the maintenance required to
remedy the damage or the defect, as the case may be, has been completed;
(c) where the endorsement refers to the aircraft having had imposed on it
abnormal flight or ground loads--there is entered on the maintenance release
or other document on which the endorsement was made a certification, in
accordance with regulation 42ZE or 42ZN, that the maintenance required to
be carried out to check whether that imposition has caused any damage to the
aircraft, and to remedy any damage so caused, has been completed; or
(d) where the endorsement relates to the flight characteristics of the aircraft or the
operating characteristics of an aircraft component, or system of aircraft
components, installed in the aircraft--there is entered on the maintenance
release or other document on which the endorsement was made a certification,
in accordance with regulation 42ZE or 42ZN, that the maintenance required to
correct the flight characteristics or operating characteristics, as the case may
be, has been completed.
(2) Where a maintenance release in respect of an aircraft ceases to be in force by virtue
of an endorsement made under regulation 47, the maintenance release shall again
commence to be in force if there is entered on the maintenance release or other document
on which the endorsement was made a further endorsement signed by an authorised person
cancelling the first-mentioned endorsement.
(3) An authorised person shall not make an endorsement under subregulation (2) unless
he or she is satisfied that there is no reason why the endorsement to be cancelled should
continue in force.
155
Penalty: 25 penalty units.
(4) A maintenance release that has ceased to be in force by virtue of an endorsement
made under regulation 47 shall not again commence to be in force except by virtue of an
endorsement made under this regulation.
(5) This regulation does not have effect in relation to a maintenance release issued in
respect of an aircraft if:
(a) the period during which the maintenance release is expressed to remain in
force has expired; or
(b) a subsequent maintenance release has been issued in respect of the aircraft by
virtue of paragraph 43 (7) (a).
156
EXTRACT FROM CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 (CARs)
233 Responsibility of pilot in command before flight
(1) An aircraft shall not commence a flight unless evidence has been furnished to the
pilot in command and the pilot has taken such action as is necessary to ensure that:
(a) the instruments and equipment required for the particular type of operation to
be undertaken are installed in the aircraft and are functioning properly;
(b) the gross weight of the aircraft does not exceed the limitations fixed by or
under regulation 235 and is such that flight performance in accordance with
the standards specified by CASA for the type of operation to be undertaken is
possible under the prevailing conditions; and
(c) any directions of CASA with respect to the loading of the aircraft given under
regulation 235 have been complied with;
(d) the fuel supplies are sufficient for the particular flight;
(e) the required operating and other crew members are on board and in a fit state
to perform their duties;
(f) the air traffic control instructions have been complied with;
(g) the aircraft is safe for flight in all respects; and
(h) the latest of the aeronautical maps, charts and other aeronautical information
and instructions, published in AIP or by a person approved in writing, that are
applicable:
(i) to the route to be flown; and
(ii) to any alternative route that may be flown on that flight;
are carried in the aircraft and are readily accessible to the flight crew.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(1A) An approval under paragraph (1) (h) may be given subject to such conditions as are
specified in the instrument of approval.
(2) An aircraft engaged in international air navigation shall not commence a flight,
unless the pilot in command has completed an approved flight preparation form, certifying
that the pilot is satisfied in respect of the matters specified in subregulation (1).
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(3) Each completed flight preparation form shall be kept by an operator for a period of 6
months.
Penalty for a contravention of this subregulation: 5 penalty units.
157
EXTRACT FROM CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 (CARs)
256 Intoxicated persons not to act as pilots etc. or be carried on aircraft
(1) A person shall not, while in a state of intoxication, enter any aircraft.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) A person acting as a member of the operating crew of an aircraft, or carried in the
aircraft for the purpose of so acting, shall not, while so acting or carried, be in a state in
which, by reason of his or her having consumed, used, or absorbed any alcoholic liquor,
drug, pharmaceutical or medicinal preparation or other substance, his or her capacity so to
act is impaired.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(3) A person shall not act as, or perform any duties or functions preparatory to acting as,
a member of the operating crew of an aircraft if the person has, during the period of 8 hours
immediately preceding the departure of the aircraft consumed any alcoholic liquor.
Penalty: 50 penalty units..372 Civil Aviation Regulations 1988
(4) A person who is on board an aircraft as a member of the operating crew, or as a
person carried in the aircraft for the purpose of acting as a member of the operating crew,
shall not consume any alcoholic liquor.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(5) A person shall not, while acting in any capacity in either Air Traffic Control or
Flight Service, be in a state in which, by reason of his or her having consumed, used, or
absorbed any alcoholic liquor, drug, pharmaceutical or medicinal preparation or other
substance, his or her capacity so to act is impaired.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(6) A person shall not act in any capacity in either Air Traffic Control or Flight Service
if the person has, during the period of 8 hours immediately preceding the commencement of
the period of duty in which he or she so acts, consumed any alcoholic liquor.
Penalty: 50 penalty units.
(7) A person who is on duty in either Air Traffic Control or Flight Service shall not
consume any alcoholic liquor.
Penalty for a contravention of this subregulation: 50 penalty units.
158
EXTRACT FROM FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS (FARs)
PART 23 - AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL, UTILITY, ACROBATIC,
AND COMMUTER
Sec. 23.831 Ventilation.
(a) Each passenger and crew compartment must be suitably ventilated. Carbon
monoxide concentration may not exceed one part in 20,000 parts of air.
(b) For pressurized airplanes, the ventilating air in the flightcrew and passenger
compartments must be free of harmful or hazardous concentrations of gases and
vapors in normal operations and in the event of reasonably probable failures or
malfunctioning of the ventilating, heating, pressurization, or other systems and
equipment. If accumulation of hazardous quantities of smoke in the cockpit area is
reasonably probable, smoke evacuation must be readily accomplished starting with
full pressurization and without depressurizing beyond safe limits.
[Docket No. 4080, 29 FR 17955, Dec. 18, 1964; 30 FR 258, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended by
Amdt. 23-34, 52 FR 1831, Jan. 15, 1987; Amdt. 23-42, 56 FR 354, Jan. 3, 1991]
159
EXTRACT FROM FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS (FARs)
PART 25 - AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES
Sec. 25.831 Ventilation.
(a) Under normal operating conditions and in the event of any probable failure
conditions of any system which would adversely affect the ventilating air, the
ventilation system must be designed to provide a sufficient amount of
uncontaminated air to enable the crewmembers to perform their duties without undue
discomfort or fatigue and to provide reasonable passenger comfort. For normal
operating conditions, the ventilation system must be designed to provide each
occupant with an airflow containing at least 0.55 pounds of fresh air per minute.
(b) Crew and passenger compartment air must be free from harmful or hazardous
concentrations of gases or vapors. In meeting this requirement, the following apply:
(1) Carbon monoxide concentrations in excess of 1 part in 20,000 parts of air are
considered hazardous. For test purposes, any acceptable carbon monoxide
detection method may be used.
(2) Carbon dioxide concentration during flight must be shown not to exceed 0.5
percent by volume (sea level equivalent) in compartments normally occupied
by passengers or crewmembers.
(c) There must be provisions made to ensure that the conditions prescribed in
paragraph (b) of this section are met after reasonably probable failures or
malfunctioning of the ventilating, heating, pressurization, or other systems
and equipment.
(d) If accumulation of hazardous quantities of smoke in the cockpit area is reasonably
probable, smoke evacuation must be readily accomplished, starting with full
pressurization and without depressurizing beyond safe limits.
(e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, means must be provided to
enable the occupants of the following compartments and areas to control the
temperature and quantity of ventilating air supplied to their compartment or area
independently of the temperature and quantity of air supplied to other compartments
and areas:
(1) The flight crew compartment.
(2) Crewmember compartments and areas other than the flight crew compartment
unless the crewmember compartment or area is ventilated by air interchange
with other compartments or areas under all operating conditions.
(f) Means to enable the flight crew to control the temperature and quantity of ventilating
air supplied to the flight crew compartment independently of the temperature and
160
quantity of ventilating air supplied to other compartments are not required if all of
the following conditions are met:
(1) The total volume of the flight crew and passenger compartments is 800 cubic
feet or less.
(2) The air inlets and passages for air to flow between flight crew and passenger
compartments are arranged to provide compartment temperatures within 5
degrees F. of each other and adequate ventilation to occupants in both
compartments.
(3) The temperature and ventilation controls are accessible to the flight crew.
(g) The exposure time at any given temperature must not exceed the values shown in the
following graph after any improbable failure condition.
[INSERT: Line graph illustrating the time--temperature relationship.] (NOT INCLUDED)
[Doc. No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 25-41, 42 FR 36970,
July 18, 1977; Amdt. 25-87, 61 FR 28695, June 5, 1996; Amdt. 25-89, 61 FR 63956, Dec.
2, 1996]
APPENDIX SIX
DIAGRAMS OF AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM ON
BAe 146 AIRCRAFT
PROVIDED BY ANSETT AUSTRALIA
163
Airconditioning System
Catalytic Converter
APU
Airconditioning Packs
165
Airflow Before Modifications
167
Airflow After Modifications
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