Emergency evacuations may be required:
‐ as a planned evacuation after in-flight emergency,
‐ after an aircraft has suffered severe airframe damage,
‐ where an inextinguishable fire exists or there is an unresolved smoke warning, ‐ as a precautionary procedure.
Situations that may lead to an emergency evacuation include, but are not limited to: ‐ All engine flameout, and/or emergency landing or ditching,
‐ Smoke/Fumes/Avncs Smoke,
‐ Uncontrollable Engine/APU fire,
‐ Cargo Smoke/Fire,
‐ Brake Fire,
‐ Landing Gear collapse,
‐ Fuselage and/or fuel tank rupture.
Captains have the authority to initiate an emergency evacuation when the flight crew perceives a threat to the lives of passengers or emergency conditions exist that jeopardizes their own safety. All available sources of information should be used to determine the safest course of action including reports from the cabin crew, other aircraft, and air traffic control. The Captain must then carefully evaluate and consider all factors and order an emergency evacuation if appropriate. Factors to be considered by the Captain include, but are not limited to: ‐ the urgency of the situation including the possibility of significant injury or loss of life if a significant delay occurs, ‐ the type of threat to the aircraft, including structural damage, fire, reported bomb on board, etc., ‐ the possibility of fire spreading rapidly from spilled fuel or other flammable materials, ‐ the extent of the damage to the aircraft, available exits and passenger loads, ‐ availability and location of RFF equipment, ‐ the possibility of passenger injury during an emergency evacuation using the escape slides.
PLANNED EVACUATIONS If, due to an in-flight emergency, an evacuation is planned and time permits, a thorough briefing and preparation of the crew and passengers improve the chances of a successful evacuation. Flight deck preparations should include a review of pertinent checklists and any other actions to be accomplished.
UNPLANNED EVACUATION DECISION AND EXECUTION An Evacuation Event is defined as any event that may lead to an unplanned evacuation. For unplanned evacuations, the Captain needs to analyze the situation carefully before initiating an evacuation order. Quick actions in a calm and methodical manner will improve the chances of a successful evacuation.
The crew may become aware of an Evacuation Event through:
• ECAM warning • Rejected take-off • Personal observation or Cabin crew report • ATC observation • Other Aircraft observation