Airport Operations & Policies Expert Opines on Fatal Accident on Airport Tarmac

Case Overview

Questions to the Aviation expert and their responses

Please explain why you are qualified to serve as an expert reviewer of this matter.

I've been in operations and senior management positions at both domestic and international airports for over 30 years and have knowledge of federal and ICAO regulations pertaining to airport operations. I've also been involved in developing airport safety plans.

Are guidelines in place to protect against this from occurring?

There are at least 3 opinions to this subject: that of the airline, that of the FAA, and that of the airport. There are federal regulations pertaining to holding passengers on aircrafts for extended periods of time where both the airline and the airport play a role.

Who directs passengers to disembark a plane? Is this decision made by airport operations personnel, airline policy and procedure, or by the captain, directly?

By law, it's up to the pilot when passengers leave the plane. There could be some responsibility on the part of the airport or airline though - oftentimes, local ground handlers are pushing to get people off of the plane as fast as possible.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert has served as a senior operations executive for regional and international airports. He is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives, as well as a Certified Airport Security Coordinator, a Certified Private Pilot, and certified by the FAA in Airport Planning & Capacity. He earned his B.S. in Aeronautical Studies and Airport Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his Master of Public Administration in Organizational Management from Golden Gate University, and then proceeded to hold positions with Sky Harbor International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and Gainesville Regional Airport. More recently, the expert was the Director of Operations for Birmingham International Airport, the Deputy Airport Director for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and the Vice President of Operations at Doha and Hamad International Airports. He is now an airport operations consultant.