Is it time for an SMS revival ???

About 18 years ago, the FAA introduced the global leading edge of AVIATION SAFETY—SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. To avoid the recent past pattern of reactive rules after some accident or incident, this new regime relies on massive computational capacity, improved instrumentation of aircraft and a no-fault philosophy which incentivized all aviation personnel to report faults. This data flow facilitates analysis of risks identified. The SMS process assigns a collaborative 360⁰ team to assign priorities and create solutions that are designed to address the specific problems before this panel.

SMS requires a DIFFERENT SET OF SKILLS—ability to examine quantitative trends, to connect the base problem with a strong suitable remedial action.

The safety professionals, both FAA and industry, were accustomed to measuring current operations against prescriptive FARs, a checklist approach. SMS deals with data points, trend projections, sorting through options and finally designing appropriate remedies—not a checklist. THE TRANSITION MAY HAVE STRESSED SOME OF THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING AND ASSURING COMPLIANCE.

Another critical component of SMS is COMMITMENT—up and down an organization. Yes, the corporation’s leadership needs to know and understand the principles of SMS, starting with the Board Members. Experience has shown that the most effective apostle (it is in some ways “religious”) is the Part 5 ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE (AE). This individual needs to be a presence everywhere in the company and exude an openness to

dialogue with anyone, anytime about anything concerning safety.

The SMS record in the United States has generally been positive and the data supports that conclusion. However, there are episodic symptoms that some holders of FAA authorities may not have successfully been implemented:

• Newsweek reported that over 100 BOEING EMPLOYEES have contacted the FAA in 2024 alone, raising concerns about safety problems. This surge in whistleblower reports follows a series of incidents, including a mid-air blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.
  • Those reports should have been submitted through SMS. WHY NOT???
• Bloomberg reports that the Allied Pilots Association, the union that represents pilots for American Airlines, issued a memo to members Friday warning them to remain “vigilant” amid a “spike” in safety problems.
  • Might APA have better served safety by submitting the safety problems through SMS???
• United Airlines pilots have raised several safety concerns recently. In the past few months, there have been multiple incidents, including emergency landings, a runway roll-off, and a lost tire. These incidents have prompted increased scrutiny from federal regulators and a review of the airline’s safety protocols. The pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have also REPORTED A PATTERN OF “THREATS, INTIMIDATION, AND OUTRIGHT BULLYING” against those who raise safety concerns that conflict with on-time performance or flight schedules. This has led to calls for better support and a stronger safety culture within the airline.
  • If the first such incident was reported through SMS, the UA employee would have been protected under the Wendell Ford Whistleblower Protection Act!!! Waiting to issue a press release appears to have delayed the FAA’s intervention!!!
• Spirit Airlines pilots and their union have raised concerns about the airline’s safety and operational decisions.
• Hawaiian Airlines pilots have raised several safety concerns recently. One notable issue involved severe turbulence on a flight from Phoenix to Hawaii in December 2022, which resulted in injuries to 25 passengers and crew members. The incident highlighted concerns about the airline’s ability to detect and avoid severe weather conditions. Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines has faced operational challenges, including grounding several aircraft due to engine problems and supply chain issues. These problems have led to disruptions in service and raised questions about the airline’s maintenance and safety protocols.
  • Repeat previous comments—the incident would have been captured by SMS
• Alaska Airlines pilots have raised several safety concerns recently. One significant issue involved an incident in October 2023, where an off-duty pilot, Joseph David Emerson, attempted to sabotage a flight by shutting down the engines while traveling as a passenger. This incident highlighted serious concerns about pilot mental health and the need for better support systems within the aviation industry. Additionally, there have been operational challenges, such as a mid-air blowout of part of the fuselage on a Boeing 737 Max in January 2024. This incident, along with other safety problems involving Boeing planes, has raised questions about maintenance and safety protocols.
  • Repeat previous comments—the incident would have been captured by SMS

This is not to assert that these reports are 100% accurate or that management was unaware of them. What is inferred is that essential safety communications do not appear to have been processed through SMS.

A few hypotheticals exploring how the system is not functioning to minimize risks:

• U.S. Airlines Record Largest Workforce in Over Two Decades. Perhaps this influx of new employees has diluted the safety culture. MORE TRAINING? AN ALL-HANDS MEETING TO REINSTALL THE REQUISITE ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS?
• The FAA inspector cadre has seen a Sea Change in their responsibilities. Many have earned their stripes through abilities to sift through thousands of records. Now they are expected to assess massive data dumps to determine what action to take. The intervention based on subjective analysis is very different than a checklist justification.
• Deregulation created a financial system that rewards efficiency in operations; lower costs result in higher stock prices. [The Airbus competition has caused Boeing to prioritize measures of profitability, too.] THOSE INCENTIVES HAVE HEIGHTENED THE TENSIONS BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND THE WORKERS. That is an economic matter requiring incredible sagacity; without a successful resolution, the past suggests that safety will suffer.
• TRUST may be the most important underlying issue. Albeit SMS is based on NO PUNISHMENT in order to maximize the flow of critical SAFETY information. As noted above, the role of the AE is central to creating an atmosphere in which the workers feel empowered and confident in participating in SMS.

• Not required and even not authorized by Part 5, ADDING A UNION LEADER TO THE AE ROOM. A guaranteed means of involving the workers in this critical safety mechanism?

Each company must reexamine its current safety culture. Self-examination tends to be subjective and may be positive in “grading” peers. The best measure of your status may be an independent safety culture audit. The findings of that review will guide the company in deciding if a new AE is needed and/or how soon a revival needs to be held.