"Security" damage 14 aircraft

[PaperTiger]

(Caveat: as yet unconfirmed)

Post on another board (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=857098) alleges TSA inspectors(sic) used pitot tubes to pull themselves up trying to break into some RJs at O'Hare.

Un:mad:ingbelievable, if true.

[Airbubba]

I have no idea if this AE report is real but TSA 'tiger teams' have been on the ramp in recent months trying to gain access to the flight deck of parked aircraft. One of our captains out West had a guy hauled off by the county police. He had TSA ID but the captain said he had no business on the plane without written authorization. Don't know where it went after that, the TSA can and will put you on a no fly list if someone files a complaint about you. Here's a story in today's news about a pilot on the list:

Airline captain, lawyer, child on terror 'watch list' - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/19/tsa.watch.list/index.html)

Update:

Sadly, it looks like this one is for real...

TSA Snafu Damages Nine Planes at O'Hare Field
Pilots Furious with Misstep
By JOSEPH RHEE, BRIAN ROSS, and ERIC LONGABARDI
August 19, 2008—


Nine American Eagle airplanes were grounded Tuesday after a TSA inspector, conducting an overnight security check, used sensitive instrument probes to climb onto the parked aircraft at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, aviation sources tell ABCNews.com.

A TSA official confirmed the incident.

At least forty regional commuter flights were delayed throughout the day, according to American Airlines. "We think it's an unfortunate situation," American airlines spokesperson Mary Frances told ABCNews.com.

The TSA agent, as part of spot inspection of aircraft security, climbed onto the parked aircraft using control sensors mounted on the fuselage as handholds, according to a TSA official in Chicago, Elio Montenegro.

"Our inspector was following routine procedure for securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro told ABCNews.com.

The TSA agent was attempting to determine if someone could break into a parked aircraft, according to Montenegro.

Pilots were furious at the TSA misstep.

"The brilliant employees used an instrument located just below the cockpit window that is critical to the operation of the onboard computers," one pilot wrote on an American Eagle internet forum. "They decided this instrument, the TAT probe, would be adequate to use as a ladder," the pilot wrote.

Another pilot wrote the TSA agents, "are now doing things to our aircraft that may put our lives, and the lives of our passengers at risk."

The TSA has been conducting such overnight spot checks at airports around the country.

Another airline, Mesa Air Group, told its employees earlier this month that "48 percent of all TSA investigations involving Mesa Air Group involve a failure to maintain area/aircraft security."

Mesa said it was imposing a "zero-tolerance" policy for such violations, threatening employees with dismissal.

ABC News: TSA Snafu Damages Nine Planes at O'Hare Field (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5613502&page=1)

[Pontious]

Surely,if true & proven, then the TSA 'Tiger Teams' are guilty of either 'tampering with an aircraft's systems' , 'endangering the safety of passengers & crew through actual sabotage of an aircraft' , 'unlawful or unauthorized entry of an aircraft', & that's just for starters.

Their intentions are surely honourable & I don't accept there was ever any malicious intent but this HAS to be investigated further.

There's no need for a 'bun fight' but I can imagine there'll be a few exchanges between the TSA & FAA/NTSB along with a fair bit of 're-education'.

Imagine the irony. Flight Safety being endangered by the very people set up to enhance it.
:ok:

[Huck]

Too bad the probe heat wasn't on.

[con-pilot]

This incident does not surprise me in the slightest. In fact the only surprising thing is that it has taken so long for aircraft to be damaged by these idiot TSA 'badge carriers'.

I have seen this type of attitude happen all to often when I was with a Federal Law Enforcement agency. They give a person a badge, and then even worse a gun, and they become an instant expert on everything.

If they ever do arm TSA agents out on the ramp checking aircraft you need to start including bullet holes in your exterior preflight check list. If you think I'm kidding, I'm not. I am the voice of experience.

[greuzi]

Given the job these people do surely they know pointy end from blunt?

[AnthonyGA]

The kind of job they do is unfortunately filled by people from the lowest end of the curve in many cases. Positions like this attract control freaks, not competent technicians.

[Flintstone]

So the TSA state that their employees were conducting standard/routine checks. If that is so how many times has this happened before and what damage occurred that might not have come to light until later? Heads should roll.



The ones that are there to protect us are our own worse enemy.
Send them back to there previous jobs, the fast food chain, service has really went down hill since they left.
At least they could speak English when asking would I like cheese on my whopper..

Irony overload :hmm:

[617SquadronDB]

Unbelievable.

[ACMS]

It's happened before:
In the 70's at an airforce base in Butterworth Malaysia an RAAF Security guard decided to do some chin-ups using the pointy nose Pitot tube on a Mirage 111 fighter.( the RAAF had a big base in Butterworth ) He noticed that he'd bent the tube a bit, so as there were 10 Mirages parked in a neat line he decided to bend the other 9 to make them look the same.

[RadAlt]

By grounding these aircraft they're actually making the skies safer. Fewer flights means fewer changes anything can happen to 'homeland security'! :ok:
So it's a 'job well done' by TSA! :ugh:

[fantom]

TSA = Thousands Standing Around.

[angels]

Viewed from afar this just beggars belief!

Will American Eagle get compensation for lost revenue, disruption to schedules, crewing etc that all this entails?

[WHBM]

If an airline ramp employee did such damage they would be fired. Of course. Will this happen to the perpetrator ?

[Bus429]

What is it with security staff that attracts numbskulls and no-hopers? Unfortunately (and I relate to UK experiences), if you challenge or question their actions or motives, you are deemed a threat and treated accordingly. Power mad w@****s.

[Two's in]

More details here;

ABC News: TSA Snafu Damages Nine Planes at O'Hare Field (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5613502&page=1)

Nine American Eagle airplanes were grounded Tuesday after a TSA inspector, conducting an overnight security check, used sensitive instrument probes to climb onto the parked aircraft at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, aviation sources tell ABCNews.com.

A TSA official confirmed the incident.

At least forty regional commuter flights were delayed throughout the day, according to American Airlines. "We think it's an unfortunate situation," American airlines spokesperson Mary Frances told ABCNews.com.

The TSA agent, as part of spot inspection of aircraft security, climbed onto the parked aircraft using control sensors mounted on the fuselage as handholds, according to a TSA official in Chicago, Elio Montenegro.

"Our inspector was following routine procedure for securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro told ABCNews.com.

The TSA agent was attempting to determine if someone could break into a parked aircraft, according to Montenegro.

[SOPS]

Thats it..we have the proof....the lunatics are finally running the asylum!!!

[Re-Heat]

Surely it would be a requirement of anyone working in any ramp area, be they security, handling etc to attend a full training session before being allowed near the ramp?

Thought not.

[merlinxx]

The US Govt is liable, they are Govt employees, just let the insurers attorneys get their hands on this, letting feckin goat herders loose in this sort environment is stupidy itself!

[west lakes]

What were these guys trying to prove...that the cockpit windows aren't secure enough for a someone trying to break in


More likely that the crew had failed to secure them, so they could
1/ get the crew into trouble &
2/ justify their own existance

[unstable load]

Will American Eagle get compensation for lost revenue, disruption to schedules, crewing etc that all this entails?

Of course not, after all it was in the interest of National Security so anything they do is in YOUR best interests........ even if it kills you.:=

[fleigle]

Great article and then editorial rant by Jim Campbell of ANN News.

Commuter Flights Grounded Thanks To Bumbling TSA Inspector Damaged TAT Probes On Nine Jets While Conducting 'Security
Checks'

They're the
government... and remember, they're here to help. A bumbling
inspector with the Transportation Safety Administration apparently
has some explaining to do, after nine American Eagle regional jets
were grounded at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on
Tuesday.

Citing sources within the aviation industry, ABC News reports an
overzealous TSA employee attempted to gain access to the parked
aircraft by climbing up the fuselage... reportedly using the Total
Air Temperature (TAT) probes mounted to the planes' noses as
handholds.

"The brilliant employees used an instrument located just below
the cockpit window that is critical to the operation of the onboard
computers," one pilot wrote on an American Eagle internet forum.
"They decided this instrument, the TAT probe, would be adequate to
use as a ladder."

Officials with
American Eagle confirmed to ANN the problem
was discovered by maintenance personnel,
who inspected the planes Tuesday morning... and questioned why
the TAT probes all gave similar error indications.

One Eagle pilot says had the pilots not been so attentive, the
damaged probes could have caused problems inflight. TSA agents
"are now doing things to our aircraft that may put our lives, and
the lives of our passengers at risk," the pilot wrote on the
forum.

Grounding the planes to replace the TAT probes affected about 40
flights, according to American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances.
"We think it's an unfortunate situation," she told ABCNews.com.

TSA conducts routine spot inspections of aircraft parked
at commercial airports, according to agency spokesman Elio
Montenegro. "Our inspector was following routine procedure for
securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro said,
adding the inspector was attempting to determine whether someone
could break into the parked planes.

Pilots respond that agents are only allowed to check for
unlocked cabin doors... a clear security risk, that could indeed
compromise security. Indeed, regional airline Mesa Air Group notes
"48 percent of all TSA investigations involving Mesa Air Group
involve a failure to maintain area/aircraft security."

It's unclear whether that duty also allows an inspector to paw
around an aircraft, however.

E-I-C Note:
This was an extraordinarily dangerous incident, folks. The TSA has
neither the mandate nor the knowledge to inspect any aircraft for
any reason. The stupidity of this matter is nearly unbelievable...
until you hear that the TSA is involved... then it becomes
understandable, though still tragic. And I can not tell you how
frustrating it is, to see them continue to hurt an indsutry that
they were created to protect.

The TSA has NO BUSINESS putting untrained personnel in a
position to damage aircraft. Their bizarre games, in the name of
security, do NOTHING to enhance security and do much to inhibit
safety. Aviation personnel -- pilots, A&P's, ground personnel
-- are all either licensed or supervised by licensed personnel and
this kind of tampering, had it been accomplished by anyone
else, would have subjected that person to criminal charges.

In this case, ANN strongly recommends and encourages the
criminal prosecution of this so-called inspector and his immediate
supervisors... it is a matter of time before one of these morons
does something stupid and gets someone killed... and with the way
these incidents are occurring, we believe it is a virtual certainty
that a TSA "Inpector" will hurt or kill someone in such a manner.
No kidding.

A few other notes.. ANN spoke directly to the TSA PAO in this
story, Elio Montenegro... a man who desperately needs to get his
stories straight. When ANN talked to him early Tuesday evening,
Montenegro first stated that no aircraft were tampered with, and
thereafter attempted to minimize the issue by stating that a
TSA Inspector "may have touched" the aircraft... which American
Eagle "sorta" objected to. He claimed that there was no
attempt to enter the aircraft, and when he was asked if TSA was, in
fact, authorized to attempt such an entry -- out of the
sight/knowledge/supervision of American Eagle personnel -- he said
that he thought that I had asked a good question, did not know the
answer, and promised to get back to me... in direct conflict with
other reported statements. TSA can not keep their stories
straight... and lying to the media... especially that part of the
media that actually knows a thing or two about airplanes, was just
plain foolish... if not a deliberate attempt to mislead.

Mind you, this is the same agency that now wants to step up
supervision and surveillance of the GA world. Would you trust these
kind of folks around your airplane?

I sure do not, and will not -- and the first time that I see a
TSA person attempt any interaction with any aircraft under my
control, I will call the cops and do my utmost to see
that person charged with a crime... TSA can not be trusted around
Air Transport airplanes... hell, TSA can not be trusted around
GA... and TSA has shown us little or no reason why they should be
trusted, in any way, with the security of the traveling public.

We're fed up with the incompetence of this organization... and
while it was simply 'annoying' when they were sniffing our shoes or
trying to rip off our laptops, it gets downright threatening when
they start tampering with our airplanes.

Yes... this is quite the rant and I admit to no end of
frustration with this organization... but I have to tell you, it's
time to scrap the TSA and failing that, it is WAY past time that
they be SEVERELY curtailed in their ability to harm others. Simply
put, it's time to reign in the TSA... before they kill someone...
if they haven't already.

Rant over... for now. -- Jim Campbell, ANN
E-I-C.
FMI: TSA | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Department of Homeland Security (http://www.tsa.gov), The Chicago Airport System (http://www.ohare.com), Inspector Clouseau (http://inspectorclouseau.com/)

For the WHOLE story, go to Aero-News Network: The Aviation and Aerospace World's Daily/Real-Time News and Information Service (http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=340a79d6-839a-470d-b662-944325cea23d)

Well said Jim !!:ok:
--------------

[oversteer]

I suspect Jim Campbell will end up on the terrorist watchlist very soon!

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

Hmmm

If a pilot did something comparably dangerous or stupid they would be
at a minimum, given retraining forthwith, or worse.

What will be the result for the security monkey I wonder ?

[Marsh Hawk]

Are the TSA now actively trying to get people killed? This idiot needs to be prosecuted!!

[PaperTiger]

What were these guys trying to prove ?
Hmm. Maybe the latest skirmish in this p!ssing contest (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/22/TSA_to_fine_Chicago_for_handcuff_incident/UPI-46961216750460) ? Some heads need banging together.

[Airbubba]

If a pilot did something comparably dangerous or stupid they would be
at a minimum, given retraining forthwith, or worse.

What will be the result for the security monkey I wonder ?

From a Chicago Tribune article:

The security agency will retrain its inspectors to prevent a future occurrence, TSA spokesman Elio Montenegro said.

A lot of federal workers seem to have access to the ramp around an aircraft these days. I was doing a walkaround a few months ago and saw someone unfamiliar standing next to a belt loader. I asked one of the rampers and was told he was doing an OSHA inspection, checking things like railings, safety vests and emergency cutoffs. I've heard of health inspectors checking the galleys before a flight. Often these visitors are not announced to the flight deck until well after the fact. Perhaps we should have a little more consistency in notification of these 'inspectors'.

I can remember shortly after the 911 attacks I was told at a UK airport that I couldn't do an exterior preflight inspection of my own aircraft since I didn't have a local ramp pass. A set parking brake and a couple of phone calls resolved the issue to my satisfaction.:)

[glad rag]

TSA conducts routine spot inspections of aircraft parked
at commercial airports, according to agency spokesman Elio
Montenegro. "Our inspector was following routine procedure for
securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro said,

Yeah keep talking buddy..................

[PaperTiger]

How do you know a TSA spokesman is lying ?

Yeah, that's right.

Update: Well :mad: . The TSA now claims this to been a successful test.
Inspector may have found airline security breach, TSA says - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/08/20/grounded.jets/)

[Gargleblaster]

"American Airlines, which owns and operates American Eagle, could face fines over the incident, she said."

What hilarious stupidity !

In engineering it's called "destructive testing". This must have been a "destructive inspection".

[porch monkey]

I bet the fines levied will be equal to or slightly more than the potential claim against the TSA for damage/loss by the airline. Cynical? Nahh, not me!!! F#ckwits!

[Max noise]

There is as much (more?) danger from the idiots within the country than from the bad guys outside trying to get in. And which ones get finger-printed?

[Chippie Chappie]

Shame. Seems to be an "Us and Them" attitude towards security i.e. trying to catch people out and punish them. A more secure method is to work WITH the flight crew but that doen't appear on the radar apparently.

I really hope that the Spanair crash in Madrid wasn't the result of a malfunction witht the TAT probe, as is currently being speculated.

Be safe out there,

Chips

[deltayankee]

As I understand it commercial airplanes are not designed to be parked outside in a dodgy neighborhood with just a bike lock on the landing gear and a "no radio" sign in the cockpit window. They are supposed to be in a secure environment because even an unsuccessful attempt at a break in can cause potentially lethal damage.

So the role of the TSA should not be trying to force doors open or break the windows but making sure nobody gets close enough to try. I can understand why the TSA teams test security by trying to break into the secure area and get access to airplanes but I do not think that they should be allowed to make any contact -- not even just to put a "gotcha" sticker on the fuselage (sooner or later it would end up on the static port). If they want to prove they have found a weakness in the security they should take a photo of themselves next to the plane.

Which brings me to an important question. Did the bumbling inspector successfully penetrate the perimiter security then simply go too far? Or did he use his pass to get airside and then screwed up? In this case the best way to improve security is to take away their passes.

[Marsh Hawk]

If this fiasco was merely "following routine procedure for securing the aircraft", will there now have to be extra inspections to look for potential damage by TSA "procedures"? TSA employees have no business trying to break into airplanes or even touching them in any way. They are simply not qualified to do so.

I wonder if there will be an apology forthcoming from the TSA for the downtime necessary to inspect every aircraft that was "tested" this way, or for the potentially dangerous "procedure". More likely a commendation for the overzealous inspector!! :ugh:

[Tango and Cash]

WHBM, given the demonstrated competence/ability/stupidity of the TSA, probably a promotion!

[Airbubba]

Here's AE's recent press release about the incident:

American Eagle Airlines Statement About TSA Actions in Chicago

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Eagle Airlines agrees with the TSA that the inspection process is an important layer of security detail.

American Eagle is confident that it followed all proper security procedures for securing aircraft overnight at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Discussing specific security procedures in detail in a public forum could compromise the security process.

On the morning of Aug. 19, a TSA transportation security inspector used a sensitive piece of equipment on nine American Eagle aircraft to hoist himself up from the ground onto several jet bridges at O'Hare. Such unorthodox inspection techniques required additional maintenance inspections per FAA procedures, causing delays to approximately 40 flights and inconveniencing hundreds of customers.

If not observed by vigilant Eagle employees in Chicago, the actions of this inspector would have been unknown and could have jeopardized the safety of our customers and crew because of potential damage to the sensitive equipment mounted on the aircraft fuselage.

American Eagle is also concerned that the TSA inspector's method of physically hoisting himself up to the jet bridge using a part of the aircraft could have placed him in physical danger.

And, of course, the TSA has a reply:

TSA Fires Back: Blames Airline for 'Security Violation'

By JOSEPH RHEE and ERIC LONGABARDI
August 21, 2008—

Even though its inspector's actions caused nine American Eagle planes to be grounded in Chicago this week, the Transporatation Security Administration says it may pursue action against the airline for security lapses.

...TSA, however, strongly defended its inspector's actions, noting in a statement that he was able to gain interior access to seven of the nine aircraft he inspected, which was an "apparent violation of the airline's security program." TSA said it encourages its inspectors to look for such vulnerabilities and after reviewing the inspection results, the agency "could take action against the airline, up to and including levying civil penalties."

TSA acknowledged that its inspector pulled himself up the side of the aircraft by using a Total Air Temperature (TAT) probe as a handhold. The TAT probe, which measures outside air temperature and connects to key computer systems inside the aircraft, is considered critical to flight safety. TSA said it was not its intent to "cause delays or potential damage to aircraft as a result of our inspections," and that the agency acted quickly to "re-enforce education about sensitive equipment located on the exterior of a plane."

Meanwhile, Aero-News Network (ANN), a leading source of aviation industry news, reported that the O'Hare TSA inspector had apparently used the same technique previously to gain access to parked planes.

In a memo obtained by ANN, an airline flight crew member complained that "this was not the first time that this same TSA agent had done this. After one of our ORD (O'Hare) mechanics caught him doing this he explained that he could damage the TAT sensor. The agent then admitted that he used the sensors many times in the past doing the same thing."

The memo also stated that in a previous incident, a damaged TAT probe caused a flight delay of an American Eagle plane on August 16th that "the mechanics suspect was caused by the same agent."

ANN editor Jim Campbell told ABC News that the flight crew member who sent the memo had been a reliable source of information in the past.

TSA was unavailable for comment on the inspector's alleged past actions. In its statement, however, the agency defended the qualifications of its inspectors, noting that they "undergo a 4-week basic training course that consists of security regulations overview, inspection procedures, and safety briefings," and receive additional safety training at each local airport.

Campbell said such training would be considered inadequate under federal aviation regulations because personnel whose actions "could impact the airworthiness of an aircraft must undergo aircraft specific training programs."

ABC News: TSA Fires Back: Blames Airline for 'Security Violation' (http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=5624381&page=1)

[Ychocky]

Any terrorist using this method to get into the aircraft would realize that they broke something and choose a new method. We can't have the terrorists flying in unsafe planes, can we?

This is sheer brilliance by TSA.

[Clandestino]

I'm unable to find any reference to the type of the aircraft involved. Were they CRJ700s, ERJs or mix of both?

And do their flightdeck side windows open at all?

[greuzi]

Yes the windows can be opened. From the inside.... There are a couple of doors to get in though which are much much easier to pass through if you do the odd cheeseburger now and again. The crew, passengers, caterers, fuellers, despatcher often use this method of entry in preference to climbing through the window.

I suspect that having climbed up the outside of an aircraft in the fashion described, the guy wouldn't have a clue what the inside was ever meant to look like anyway.

That backpack marked 'boom' on the L/H seat, the smoke, disco lights and the party of 15 dancing girls in the cockpit was entirely normal so he would surely just climb back down and finish his shift?...or maybe he'd climb through the window and steal all the LCD screens whilst nobody was watching?.... He would grow old and tired trying to break the 'glass' so the TV's are safe!

On a more serious note, this is the sort of thing that makes accidents happen that hurt real people. Not funny at all.

[Clandestino]

Thanks, then they must have been ERJs as CRJ's windows can't be opened - from inside or outside.

[L-38]

This latest incident of airplane ignorance reminds me of the FAA inspector who had actually ramp grounded a light twin aircraft equipped with the newer Hartzell "Q" tipped propellers. The inspector had initiated the paper work as he had thought the bent prop tips (though strangely all with a uniform tip angle) were the result of some sort of accident and were thus un-airworthy.

[keel beam]

"Even though its inspector's actions caused nine American Eagle planes to be grounded in Chicago this week, the Transporatation Security Administration says it may pursue action against the airline for security lapses."

The action of bully boys.

However, will this now mean modifications to have all extruding bits stowable when aircraft is parked over night?

[Chippie Chappie]

Negative Keel Beam, the question is how do we arrange for a large yet non-fatal voltage to be passed through the probes? :E

[angels]

Chippie - Nice idea mate, but why non-fatal?

It seems as though the gene pool could do with a bit of cleansing here! :}

[west lakes]

the question is how do we arrange for a large yet non-fatal voltage


Easy peasy,
1/ ensure probe electrically insulated from fuselage (they may well be any way)
2/ Connect one terminal of an electric fence system (powered by a/c battery - the systems are low drain)
3/ connect other terminal to fuselage
4/ voltage need not be lethal - though the resulting fall could be
:E

[Roadtrip]

I'm guessing, but if it was an CRJ, the nitwit in question might have been trying to gain access to the cockpit through the overhead escape hatch. I'm not qual'd in the RJ, but I imagine that someone could get into that hatch, just like the ARFF could. The whole thing is BS anyway. You really can't completely secure aircraft unless you secure the area around them. This TSA numbskull probably used his badge to get onto the ramp in the first place.

The FBI should arrest this moron and force the TSA to go to court to get him released.

[PaperTiger]

I'm guessing, but if it was an CRJ, the nitwit in question might have been trying to gain access to the cockpit through the overhead escape hatch.No. With aircraft parked at gates overnight (or otherwise 'unattended'), the jetways are supposed to moved away from the aircraft. In the cases here they apparently were not moved away far enough. Our intrepid inspector climbed from the ground (via the pitot) to the jetway and thence allegedly opened the cabin doors.

TSA says Eagle had been 'warned' about this before. TSA apparently didn't 'warn' their employees not to **** with the airplanes though.

[llondel]

Surely there was no security risk as the aircraft were all unfit to be flown after the intrusion attempt and therefore the access method employed would not work because the damage was spotted. When they can get in without leaving any clues they might have a case.

[RatherBeFlying]

Eventually some TSA clown will damage some vital sensor bit that will result in an a/c full of people taking out a tall building -- whereupon he will be introduced to 42 virgins:mad:

[wobble2plank]

Damn! Forgotten to lock me airbus up again! Now where are my keys???

If the TSA do their job and keep the bad guys out of the ramp area then there is no need for this muppet to blunder around the ramp!

On the 'bus' there is no door 'lock' as there is no door lock on most commercial airliners. What the hell do they expect us to do with the damn things over night? When parked at an international airport, with 24 hour security and a supposed safe cordon then the aircraft should be safe? no?

For what then do we pay all these bloody handling fees, landing fees and charges for then?

The TSA are a bunch of idiots and, if this is indeed a routine procedure, then please TSA, show the qualified aviation world the paperwork substantiating it.

If I find one clambering on my aircraft then I will ground the aircraft for full engineering inspection, what do these monkeys take an airframe for? Climbing frame???

[WET]

Are the TSA required to notify the owners of the aircraft involved in such procedures? Within what time period? Is a notification discretionary (e.g. only if they believe that something was broken)?

(Disclaimer: I am merely SLF.)

[EchoMike]

FBI/DEA sometimes does "in depth" inspections of parked GA airplanes of types thought to be used by drug runners, especially at airports in FL, TX, AZ, CA. Open inspection covers, take off wingtips and other fairings, just looking around.

They are nice enough to leave a note saying you really ought to have a mechanic put your airplane back together again before you fly it.

How considerate of them . . .

Best Regards (and do a thorough preflight!)

Echo Mike

[RVF750]

If you mean RJ as in BAe 146 Mk2, then the TAT probe on the lower left side is fairly sturdy looking, more thna it is, and once using it you can reach up and hold the Pitot tube to get onto the mid/upper side, then lean across to reach the main front door handle.

I guess it would then be possible to pull it out, and hang off it to turn it, using the now proud hinges as further foot rests to lift the door fully and swing it out to get in.

If said agent discovered this with enough practice, I can only imagine the damage to doors he caused in the process, and if I came across him the damage to his face as well.

In that case, the Airline would have a very valid case as standard procedure, certainly UK side is to seal the lower doors and only the upper ones if on an airbridge.

No-one short of spiderman would be likely to attempt to climb up the side like that, and if he did it once, the duty of the TSA agent would be to approach his superiors and the manufacturer, FAA, etc. to warn them of the danger, not simply do it a few more times then blame the airline.

That is IMHO, negligence, criminal damage and reckless endangerment.

May I respectully suggest American Eagle responds by putting AC GPUs or fixed power on and leave the probe heating on to see how the little scumbag gets on next time. Otherwise, sealing upper doors is sufficient.

Gaining access is not the real issue. Proper evidential seals to give crews warning to then search the interior properly subsequently is.

This fool is helping no-one, and neither is his idiotic and sub-standard line management for backing him.

[jedrinck]

You gotta love the TSA. Found this in the AIN newsletter:


FBI: TSA TAT Probe Climb Not a Criminal ActAccording to the FBI, federal laws against tampering with aircraft do not apply to the bizarre situation that occurred at Chicago O’Hare Airport on August 19, when a zealous Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspector decided to “test” the security of unoccupied American Eagle ERJs. After Eagle mechanics saw the TSA inspector trying to climb onto a jet bridge using the ERJs’ TAT probes as hand- and foot-holds, the airline delayed 40 flights and tested probes on nine airplanes for damage. “If not observed by vigilant Eagle employees in Chicago,” American Eagle noted, “the actions of this inspector would have been unknown and could have jeopardized the safety of our customers and crew.” According to a spokeswoman in the FBI’s Chicago office, “We are not investigating this matter. The damage was accidentally done by a TSA inspector. It was determined to be not intentional nor was it a criminal act in any way.” On August 21, American Eagle and the TSA issued a joint statement, assuring the public that the “TSA and American Eagle are working together to achieve the right security results and resolve any security gaps that have occurred.”http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/up_arrow.gif (http://service.gmx.net/de/cgi/derefer?TYPE=3&DEST=http%3A%2F%2Fstaging.computerfulfillment.com%2Fmv2%2Fcl ick%2Fclick.aspx%3Fdb%3D8%26obid%3D4101605%26msgid%3D162%26l inkid%3D17%26redir%3D..%2FAIN%2520Alerts.com%2Falerts%2F0)