Definition

Aviation Safety Action Program

The U.S. Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) encourages voluntary reporting of safety issues and events by employees of participating certificate holders. ASAP is similar to the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) run by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), except that the ASAP program is managed in-house by participating airlines and other operators. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outlines the ASAP program in Advisory Circular 120-66C, Aviation Safety Action Program.

Background

As stated in the advisory circular, "The primary objective of voluntary safety programs is to identify hazards and unsafe conditions in the National Airspace System (NAS) so that corrective action can be taken to eliminate or reduce the hazard or unsafe condition." The ASAP program dates back to a 1994 demonstration program at American Airlines. NASA's ASRS program began in 1976.

Description

ASAP provides a nonpunitive means of reporting safety information that could help prevent accidents and incidents. Pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and other employees can provide information on errors and other issues. If the report is accepted into the ASAP program, the employee becomes exempt from enforcement action, though the certificate holder may elect to provide counseling, additional training, or other corrective measures.

Generally, ASAP reports are filed electronically through the operator's web portal. However, if electronic means are not available, employees can file an initial report through their company's ASAP telephone hotline. The telephone report must be followed up with an electronic report. In previous iterations of ASAP policy, reports had to be filed under strict time requirements. However, under the latest advisory circular (AC 120-66C), a certificate holder's Event Review Committee (ERC) has more discretion regarding timeliness. FAA guidance also says, "Timeliness considerations do not apply to sole-source reports," meaning events reported only by the employee submitting the ASAP.

Common reasons for ASAP reports include inadvertent airspeed or altitude busts, failure to file an alternate airport, maintenance errors, takeoffs above maximum weight, problems resulting from missed radio calls, etc.

Event Review Committee

The Event Review Committee (ERC) runs an aircraft operator's ASAP program. The group includes a representative and an alternate, if possible, from each party to an ASAP. The ERC comprises a management representative, an employee group representative, and if applicable, an FAA inspector. FAA attendance at an ERC meeting is optional, depending on the nature of the report under consideration. The ERC's responsibilities include:

• Review and analyze safety reports submitted under the ASAP program.
• Determine whether such reports meet any criteria for exclusion. (See acceptance criteria below.)
• Identify actual or potential safety issues from the information contained in the reports.
• Investigate reported events. The ERC may conduct interviews, as appropriate.
• Propose solutions for safety issues identified in the reports.
• Identify and communicate effective corrective actions and recommendations.
• Conduct an annual review of the ASAP database to determine whether corrective actions have been effective in preventing or reducing the recurrence of safety-related events.

Acceptance Criteria

Broadly speaking, the reported error must be an honest mistake. The FAA describes what it calls the "Big Five" issues that are not accepted into the ASAP program:

• Criminal activity
• Substance abuse
• Controlled substances
• Alcohol
• Intentional falsification

Additionally, the report must not involve reckless conduct or intentional violation. (However, under 14 CFR Part 91, a pilot may deviate from any rule to the extent required to meet an emergency.) In the event an employee fails to complete any corrective action recommended by the ERC, the report is then excluded from the ASAP program.