Central Training Establishment, Hyderabad

GENERAL OPERATIONS CIRCULAR No: EDT/GEN/ M– 246

Date : 21.10.2021
Supersedes: M-244 Nature : Mandatory
To: All Pilots & Cabin Crew Page 1 of 3

Sub: Arming / Disarming of doors.

Ref :(i) Recommendation of Flight Safety Committee report on Inadvertent slide
deployment
(ii) DGCA approved Airbus CSOP
(iii) Flight safety circular (Ref. no. FSD/VT-ALN/454 dated 24th Nov 2018).
(iv) GOC M-241, Dated; 24.12.2019.
(v) Recommendations of Airbus procedures (Airbus-Safety First).

*******

There were many incidents of inadvertent Slide deployment by Cabin

Crew prior to departure and also after arrival of the aircraft.

In order to prevent such recurrences, it is re-emphasized that, the following

instructions are to be strictly adhered to:

1. The Cabin Supervisor (CS) after ensuring that all passengers are on
board, catering loading complete, all documents on board, all ground
personnel disembarked and all doors closed except main entry door will
report to the cockpit that they are ready for closing the main entry door.

2. Commander will instruct CS to close the main entry door, after signing all
documents.

3. Commander will ensure:

a) All cabin doors “CLOSED”.
b) All ground handling equipments are removed and well clear of a/c.
c) Parking brake “SET”.
d) Announce “ARM ALL THE DOORS, CROSS CHECK AND
REPORT”.

Note : (i). Do not announce “CLOSE & ARM DOOR”

(ii).Upon getting clearance select Beacon ON before engine start.
 Page No. 2 of 3
General Operations Circular No. DT/GEN/ M-246 Date: 21.10.2021

4. If Cabin Crew realizes that the pushback has inadvertently commenced

without announcement of “ARM ALL THE DOORS CROSS CHECK AND
REPORT”, the CS should remind the cockpit through interphone. Cockpit
Crew should make the announcement “ALL DOORS ARM & CROSS
CHECK” without fail and to ensure “ARM” condition by monitoring cockpit
display/indication.

5. After receiving ARM/DISARM command from the cockpit, the cabin crew
are required to arm/disarm the doors, cross check and report.

6. Cabin Crew to follow the “CROSS CHECK” procedure not only during
Departure/Arrival phase, but also anytime during ground activities and if the
door is required to be opened from the cabin (QTA/Transit flights or
originating flights where cabin crew are available on board, etc.). This
procedure must be followed by Crew at all times.

7. when the command “ARM / DISARM ALL THE DOORS, CROSS CHECK
AND REPORT” is announced by the Captain, the Cabin Crew who is
responsible for cross checking that particular Door shall go to that particular
Door leaving his / her station to ensure positive ARMING / DISARMING as
the case maybe. The affirmation of ARMING / DIARMING shall be verbal
and no gestures to be used as this can lead to misunderstanding and
further result in wrong action being carried out.

8. CS should get briefing about door ARM/DISARM status from all the cabin
crew ‘individually’ crosscheck in FAP (as applicable) and report to the
cockpit. Once doors are in ARM position, cabin crew shall not DISARM the
door without the command from the cockpit.

9. Under normal conditions, cabin crew should not open the door, if any
ground personnel knocks the door from outside, but inform the cockpit
crew.

10. In case of requirement to open a Door which have already been ARMED
for departure (e.g. for Catering Services or Maintenance requirement) the
AME should communicate to Captain over service Interphone. Then the
Captain will give command to the Cabin supervisor that DISARM ALL
DOORS before opening the concerned door. Cabin Crew must take
permission from CS and Cockpit Crew (Quick Turnaround & Transit flights
or reported in the cockpit for originating flights) prior to opening the door for
any requirement/reason.
 Page No. 3 of 3

General Operations Circular No. DT/GEN/ M-246 Date: 21.10.2021

11. It may be noted that door will not be opened unless both cabin crew cross
check and ensure that the door is disarmed. In case of any inadvertent
slide deployment, both cabin crew for the respective cabin station will be
held equally responsible.

12. After arrival, if there is any delay in getting GPU connected to the aircraft,
cockpit crew should brief passengers accordingly. Cabin crew should
remain seated till they get command to disarm all the doors from the
cockpit crew.

13. When no Cabin Crew is allocated on the opposite door, CS / Cabin Crew
must accomplish the “Cross Check” function themselves. Crew should not
be in hurry and rush (hurry up syndrome) approach while opening the door.

14. The CS should ensure allocation of crew in rotation at different locations

during each flight by verifying their allocation of previous flight(s) so as to
prevent monotony setting in.

15. Cabin Crew should memorize the correct sequence of actions while arming
/ disarming of doors. Airbus recommends use of the mental model PIN-
LEVER-PIN to avoid inadvertent slide deployment.

16. In addition to the above, both cockpit crew and cabin crew should strictly
adhere to Standard Operating Procedures to prevent recurrences of
inadvertent deployment of slide.

This cancels General Operations Circular No. DT/GEN/M-244 dated 12.04.2021.

The above is for strict compliance by all Pilots & Cabin Crew.

Sd/-
Executive Director (Training)

Prepared By: TVK

Checked By : IGS