Absence of Procedure
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Absence of procedure is condition for which no prescribed procedure exists.
Historically, many different investigation agencies have identified deficiencies in standard operating procedures (Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)) as a common contributing causal factor in aviation accidents and incidents. Some of the most cited deficiencies involving front line aviation personnel were identified as
- Non-compliance with established procedures;
- Non-existence of established procedures
The International Civil Aviation Organization (International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)) has long recognised, through provisions in SARPs, the importance of following SOPs for safe flight operations. For example, amendments to ICAO Annex 6 establish that each Member State should require that SOPs for each phase of flight be contained in the operations manual used by pilots.
Standard Operating Procedures are usually laid down in different forms:
The SOPs enable the pilots and controllers to respond correctly in most types of normal, emergency or abnormal situation and are developed over a period of time after careful study of the situation, and are tested to ensure that they do not result in unintended and undesirable consequences.
Procedures, Lack of Procedure and Breach
Current and Available Procedure
Where established procedures exist, they should be followed unless exceptional, overriding circumstances exist.
Lack of Procedure
Where an established procedure does not exist, pilots and controllers should not attempt to find a procedure which resembles the one which is missing; following a procedure which was not designed for the existing situation may have unforeseeable and undesirable results. In the absence of an established procedure, pilots and controllers should exercise their judgement to the best of their abilities, based on experience, skills and knowledge.
Breach of Procedure
Occasionally, aviation personnel may intentionally choose not to follow an established procedure, or to omit certain actions listed in a procedure. This may occur because of negligence, ignorance, complacency, or overconfidence (“cutting corners” syndrome).
Alternatively, intentional breaches of procedure may occur because the procedure is not fit for purpose - in such a situation, pilots/controllers must raise the issue with management as soon as possible (see Inappropriate Procedures).
Unintentional inappropriate action sometimes occurs because the pilots or controllers are unaware of or cannot identify an appropriate procedure for the situation, or because of misinformed or wrong judgement.
On occasion some operational procedures, for various reasons, become outdated and inappropriate. If the presence of (an) inappropriate procedure(s) is not obvious or detected, it may present operational risks.
- Communicate – Stress the importance of following SOPs for the safety of flight. Periodic briefings and discussions regarding issues with certain procedures are likely to voice solutions at intra-organisational level.
- Seek assistance – In case a proper procedure cannot be identified and, if time permits, seek advice from qualified personnel. Do not adapt procedures on a local level unless exceptional, overriding circumstances exist. When time allows, it may be possible to obtain assistance by referencing the lack of procedure to the necessary technical or operational department.
- Alert of absence of procedure – Advise management of the scenario where the procedural gap exists; Communicate and alert colleagues and co-workers about the absence of procedure. Ask for strict and unambiguous guidelines, even if these guidelines are temporary, until the new procedure is defined. Periodic training and drills are likely to improve intra-organisation coordination.
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Adherence to SOPs (OGHFA BN)
- OGHFA Visual: Standard Operating Procedures
- Preparation of an Operations Manual (Doc 9376).
- FAR 121.133, Preparation of Manuals.
- FAR 121.135, Contents of Manuals.
- IR-OPS ORO.MLR.100
- Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to IR-OPS ORO.MLR.100
- EU-OPS 1.1045, Appendix 1, Operations Manual Contents
Flight Safety Foundation ALAR Briefing Notes:
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.1 — Operating Philosophy
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.2 — Automation
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.3 — Golden Rules
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.4 — Standard Calls
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.5 — Normal Checklists
- ALAR Briefing Note 1.6 — Approach Briefing