The Problem

Inadvertent slide deployment has been a problem within the aviation industry since the passenger entry/exit door was combined with a means of escape in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The physical size of most modern aircraft demands a means of escape from the aircraft to ground level in an emergency evacuation. To achieve this without the delay of having to provide aircraft steps or an airbridge, an inflatable slide is fitted into the entry/exit door.

Prior to aircraft departure, the passenger entry/exit door is “Armed” or set to the “Automatic” position. Carrying out this procedure attaches the emergency slide to the aircraft. If the door is opened, the emergency slide deploys - automatically inflating, providing a means of escape to ground level.

The current means of identifying whether or not the door is in the “Armed” position is by visual indication; this is often overlooked whilst opening the door prior to passenger disembarkation leading to the emergency slide being deployed inadvertently.

Not only is this extremely hazardous with the potential to cause death or serious injury to passengers and airport employees working around the aircraft, it also has huge financial implications.

It creates costly unscheduled engineering work causing the aircraft dispatch rate to become unreliable, often resulting in additional airport handling fees. Aircraft crews become “out of hours” and need replacing. Often an expensive sub-chartered aircraft from a competitor carries out the flight. Inconvenienced passengers are provided with costly hotels and flight cancellation charges and more importantly, decide next time to fly with a competitor!

© Zone Design