Unmanned Aircraft Systems An Introductory Guide to Emergency Response INSURE WITH CONFIDENCE
If you are currently experiencing an Emergency follow the steps below: For an Unmanned Aircraft System Accident 1. Inform Chief Pilot or site lead and alert all crewmembers. 2. Check for any injured individuals and damaged equipment. 3. If the operator did not witness the accident or the UAS has flown away, alert 911 immediately. 4. If a person is injured dial 911 for emergency medical assistance. 5. If equipment is damaged beware of: a. Toxic substances b. Mechanical Hazards c. Fire Hazards d. Hazards from Lithium Ion Batteries 6. Coordinate public relations and corporate communications activities. All press releases and statements to the press should be reviewed and approved by a designated individual within your organization or outside counsel. 7. Notify insurance broker and underwriter. 8. Preserve aircraft wreckage. The operator is responsible for preserving aircraft wreckage until the NTSB takes custody of it. a. The wreckage should not be disturbed or moved except where necessary to help injured persons, to protect the wreckage from further damage, or to protect the public from injury. 9. If you had an accident, you may need to notify the NTSB. Refer to Appendix 1 for all contact information and the definition of an unmanned aircraft accident. 10. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA s UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. 1
Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Emergency Response Preparation... 1 General Policies... 1 Emergency Procedures... 2 Emergency Response Kit... 2 Unmanned Aircraft System Handling Precautions... 2 Appendix 1: Emergency Response Contact Tables... 3 About Global Aerospace, Fireside Partners and Unmanned Safety Institute... 4
Disclaimer This document is designed to provide UAS operators with general post-accident emergency response planning considerations. We strongly suggest a UAS operator obtain assistance in developing a custom emergency response plan that fits their unique operation and matches the resources they have available to respond. Introduction This document outlines potential hazards and safety concerns related to unmanned aircraft system operations. It provides guidelines and planning measures to help you respond should an accident occur. Aircraft operators and associated crewmembers should always be familiar with the operating procedures and technical details specific to the air vehicle being operated. Each operation may contain unique safety hazards related to aircraft type. This document should be used as a guideline for emergency response but not as the sole source of safety and risk mitigation practices. Before performing any operation, aircraft operators and crewmembers should attend safety training courses to ensure safe operations. Emergency Response Preparation ERP Response Team In order to respond to emergencies in a consistent and coordinated manner, a team of personnel should be assembled and responsibilities pre-assigned for each organization and operational area. The accident/incident response team should be composed of a Primary Response Position and a Secondary Response Position. Checklists Each Response Team member should have an emergency response checklist to be used as a quick reference guide in case of an accident/incident. Rehearsal Create a hypothetical accident in order to rehearse your response plan to check its effectiveness and where it may need modification dependent upon specific operations. Rehearsals can be performed as many times as needed, and should be conducted at least twice per year. General Policies Emergency Prevention The primary concern of all UAS operators and crew should always be safety. For this reason actions should be taken in order to avoid injuries and prevent accidents. Every member of the crew should also attend a UAS Safety Course on an annual basis and the Primary and Secondary Response individuals should also attend a Safety Management System Course. Risk Mitigation The guidelines in this document include time-honored aviation risk management techniques and should be utilized by every organization to reduce risk and respond appropriately in case of an emergency. Risk is only mitigated when all individuals on site are aware of proper response procedures during an emergency. Communication Structure In the case of an emergency, the Site Manager should be informed immediately. Pertinent authority(s) shall be contacted as required. All information concerning the incident shall be documented and communicated to the manager of the operation to evaluate the situation, response and outcome to prevent it from happening in the future. Data Confidentiality All information regarding the accident/incident should be treated as extremely sensitive and remain confidential. No information should be disclosed unless told otherwise by management. 1
Emergency Procedures In case of an emergency all crewmembers should remember the following acronym as a simple guideline to follow: Declare a state of emergency and inform all personnel. Account for all crewmembers and equipment. Notify appropriate authorities. Get medical assistance or render first aid to injured persons. Ensure the scene where the accident occurred is secured. Recover and assess situation to review event and prevent future instances. Emergency Response Kit A copy of your emergency plan, along with a current employee roster, visitor log and equipment list. The roster and log will be used in accounting for the crew and visitors after an evacuation of the area. First aid supplies. In some emergencies, crewmembers may have to provide first aid to those with injuries. Flashlights and extra batteries. Binoculars. Small emergency water supply. Charged cell phone in order to contact any authorities necessary. Fire extinguisher. In order to be able to put out any minor fires. Air Vehicle Handling Precautions The following hazards should be considered when handling your air vehicle during operations and maintenance in order to avoid potential injuries. Fuel Hazards All fuel types should be safely stored away from combustion sources such as heat and flames. Do not have an open flame within 50 feet of fuel due to the flammability of fuel. Do not carry out operations during a thunderstorm; a lightning strike can cause fuel to ignite. Fuel can be toxic and therefore prolonged contact with skin and eyes should be avoided, and vapors should not be breathed in. Propeller/Rotor Hazard The propeller/rotor blades are not visible when spinning; crewmembers should thus stay at a safe distance from launch and recovery area in order to avoid accidents. It is also recommended that personnel wear eye protection while working close to the air vehicle as propellers/rotors can lift small object and particles. Transportation Hazard Some equipment can be heavy and more than one person may be needed in order to lift it. Fingers and hands need to stay clear of folding or moving parts. Live Circuits Hazards Personnel should not replace or adjust components until power is removed and discharged. Circuits should be grounded before being manipulated. 2
Appendix 1: Emergency Response Contact Tables Emergency Response Teams Identify the members of emergency response teams for reference in case of an emergency. Team Name Location Work Phone Cell Phone Primary Response Secondary Response Emergency Service Emergency Phone Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Police Department Hazardous Materials Cleanup FAA UAS Integration Office 1-866-835-5322 Option 4 National Transportation Safety Board Notes: Additional information on hazards of which to be aware: 1. Toxic substances such as fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, and exotic aircraft materials such as beryllium, lithium, chromium, and mercury. 2. Mechanical Hazards such as metals under tension, composite materials, and sharp edges. 3. Fire Hazards such as unburned fuel, hot metal, aircraft batteries, pyrotechnics, and the ignition of grass as a result of the accident. Be cautious of smoldering items that may re-ignite. NTSB Definition of Unmanned Aircraft Accident: 1. Unmanned aircraft accident means an occurrence associated with the operation of any public or civil unmanned aircraft system that takes place between the time that the system is activated for the purpose of flight and the time that the system is deactivated at the conclusion of its mission, in which: a. Any person suffers death or serious injury; or Public/Government Emergency Services b. A UAS is involved in a midair collision with another aircraft; or c. An UAS with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more sustains substantial damage; or d. A UAS causes damage to property other than the aircraft itself and the cost to repair the damage (including materials and labor) exceeds the fair market value of the property or $25,000, whichever is less. 3
INSURE WITH CONFIDENCE About Global Aerospace Global Aerospace is a leading provider of aerospace insurance with a worldwide portfolio of clients who are engaged in every aspect of the aviation and space industries. Headquartered in London, we have offices in Canada, Cologne, Paris, Zurich and throughout the United States. Across the world we employ over 350 people. With experience dating back to the 1920s, the company s underwriting is backed by a pool of high quality insurance companies representing some of the most respected names in the business. www.global-aero.com Policies are issued by one or more member companies of the Global Aerospace Pool. American Alternative Insurance Corporation, Tokio Marine America Insurance Company, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company of America, National Indemnity Company, National Indemnity Company of the South, Central States Indemnity Company of Omaha, American Commerce Insurance Company. Fireside Partners Inc. Fireside Partners Inc., is a fully integrated emergency services provider designed to provide all services and resources required to respond effectively and compassionately in a crisis situation. Dedicated to building world-class emergency response programs (ERP), Fireside instills confidence, resiliency and readiness for high-net worth and high-visibility individuals and businesses. Fireside provides a broad array of services focused on prevention and onsite support to help customers protect their most important assets: their people and their good name. www.firesideteam.com About USI The mission of the Unmanned Safety Institute is to improve safety in Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations. The Unmanned Safety Institute is a professional training organization for UAS operators and organizations focused on improving safety in UAS operations through the adoption and modification of time honored aviation safety and training practices. http://unmannedsafetyinstitute.org GA.55 (01/2016) 2016 Global Aerospace, Inc. 4