FRCs
BT,
There were FRCs available in June 1994, but this is what was said about them by witness 20 to the BOI and the BOI itself. Others will have to say when the situation on FRCs was "normalised" - I do not know.
Witness 20 was asked:
Question:
“Were these malfunctions covered by drills in the Chinook HC2 Flight Reference Cards (FRC)?”
Reply:
“No, the Chinook HC2 FRC were based primarily on the Chinook D model, which is not fitted with FADEC. Drills relating to FADEC were based on the best information on how the system would respond during certain malfunctions.”
Question:
“Were there any areas where the Chinook HC2 FRC, valid on 2 Jun 94, were confusing?”
Reply:
“Yes, a number of emergency drills, in particular electrical and hydraulic, were poorly laid out and required the crew to be familiar with the drill to avoid confusion. The shortfall in the Chinook HC2 FRC was discussed with crews during their conversion courses.”
In their findings the Board, at paragraph 46c comments:
“The relative inexperience of the crew on the Chinook HC2 could have amplified the degree of distraction created by even a relatively minor technical occurrence. Any distraction could have been further amplified by the poor guidance provided by the Chinook HC2 Flight Reference Cards.”
In their observations at paragraph 70a the Board states:
“The Chinook HC2 FRCs valid at the time of the accident were confusing.”
Despite the fact that the Board identified the FRCs as an issue (and the place of FRCs in the airworthiness “chain” is a key one) this shortfall is not followed up in any of the senior reviewing officers comments
I hope this provides at least part of the answer you were seeking.
JB