What action is needed in the light of the discrepancies recorded during the SAFA/SACA inspection?

Depending on the category, number and nature of the findings detected and recorded by the inspectors during the ramp inspection, several measures may be taken.

If the findings indicate that the safety of the aircraft and its occupants is affected, corrective measures may be required by the inspected person prior to its resumption of operation or the need to establish limitations on its flight. The collaboration of the Command Commander/PiC (PIC) of the aircraft will normally be required to deal with the most serious findings and measures, but any duly accredited representative appointed by the operator (TMA, F/O, etc.) may assume such responsibility.

In general, if category 3 findings have been detected, these will generally involve the operator taking ‘corrective measures before authorising the flight’ to rectify the identified deficiencies. In other cases, where such measures cannot be taken, it may be necessary to establish operational restrictions or limitations, as discussed above, which may range from requiring the application of operational (O) or maintenance (M) procedures as contained in documents such as the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for uncorrected defects that can be dispatched or others set out in the Operator’s Operations Manual (OM) to the application of other more restrictive measures in accordance with other documents approved by the Supervisory Authority (e.g. EASA, in the case of operators, aircraft or registrations registered in the Spanish Register of Registrations) equivalent.

In rare cases, in situations where inspectors detect a lack of cooperation or even a lack of explicit intention on the part of the Aircraft Command Commander/Pilot to take the necessary action in respect of the findings communicated to it, the inspectors shall first force the aircraft to remain on the ground, an act which will be formalised by the authority. The official act of immobilisation by the inspecting State means that the aircraft is prohibited from resuming its flights until appropriate corrective action is taken, and occurs whenever the operator intends to undertake the operation without addressing the serious deficiencies identified, contrary to the criteria of the inspectors, as provided for in Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, ARO.RAMP.140, in Article 30: Extraordinary measures of Law 21/2003 of 7 July 2003 on Aviation Safety, Title III: Aeronautical inspection, and Articles 33 and 43 of provisional and extraordinary measures respectively contained in Royal Decree 98/2009 of 6 February 2009 on Aeronautical Inspection Regulations.