CF188 Hornet ALSE - Epilogue

Report / August 24, 2018 / Project number: CF188ALSE - E Category

Location: Bagotville, Québec
Date: 24 August 2018
Status: Investigation Completed

On 24 August 2018, it was discovered that an Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) technician at 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, had shared their Maintenance Release (Level A) personal identification number with technicians in the section, on numerous occasions, in order for other members in the ALSE shop to sign for, and certify as airworthy, ALSE equipment work processes within the unit.

Technicians in the ALSE shop employed a shared password system in order to conduct and document unsupervised inspections on personal use safety equipment, safety system supply independent checks, and associated aircrew personal equipment fittings.

The use of the technician’s personal identification number was conducted with and without direct supervision of the authorized technician and often utilized in the authorizing technician’s absence from the ALSE shop in order to support continued squadron operations.

Aircrew had utilized and stored personal survival safety equipment that had been fitted, inspected and certified for use by ALSE technicians who did not possess the qualifications nor authorizations to release such equipment. Given the equipment was not certified according to technical publications and orders, the integrity and airworthiness of the survival safety equipment was in question. As a result, there were no guarantees that unit aircrew survival safety equipment would operate when required.

The investigation revealed that the 433 SQN ALSE shop operated for an extended period of time with inadequate resources and supervision to effectively support squadron operations.

The preventative measures recommended involve a top-down approach that provides easily locatable and accessible ALSE documentation, in concert with an effective communication scheme to all stakeholders to ensure global ALSE education and support is provided at all levels of operations.