ARO.RAMP.135 Follow-up actions on findings

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS FOR CATEGORY 2 OR 3 FINDINGS

(a)Exceptionally, where multiple category 2 findings have been raised and the accumulation of these findings or their interaction justifies corrective action before the flight takes place, the class of action may be increased to the actions foreseen by ARO.RAMP.135(b).

(b)When communicating findings to the operator, the inspecting authority should:

(1)use the ramp inspection tool as the primary communication channel with the operator and limit communication via other channels;

(2)request evidence of corrective actions taken, or alternatively the submission of a corrective action plan followed by evidence that planned corrective actions have been taken;

(3)inform the operator’s competent authority and the operator no later than 15 calendar days after the inclusion of the report in the ramp inspection tool in order to permit appropriate action to be taken, as well as to confirm to the operator the findings raised;

(4)upload in the ramp inspection tool information on actions taken and responses provided by the operator following the RAMP inspection and send a communication to the operator only if the operator’s actions have not been satisfactory;

(5)give the operator a period of 30 calendar days to reply. If the operator does not react to the initial communication within this period, a second request should be sent, including a period of another 30 calendar days to reply whilst copying the operator’s competent authority. If the second attempt is also unsuccessful, the operator’s competent authority should be requested to encourage the operator to reply. The inspecting authority should indicate in such request that no reaction from the operator could be interpreted as a ‘lack of ability and/or willingness of an operator to address safety deficiencies’ under Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005.

CLASSES OF ACTIONS FOR CATEGORY 3 FINDINGS

(a)Whenever restrictions on the aircraft flight operation (Class 3a action) have been imposed, the competent authority should conduct appropriate verification of adherence to such restrictions.

(b)Whenever the operator is required to take corrective actions before departure (Class 3b action), inspectors should verify that the operator has taken such actions. Depending on the circumstances, this verification may take place after the departure.

(c)Whenever a category 3 finding is raised, the aircraft should be grounded only (Class 3c action) if the crew refuses to take the necessary corrective actions or to respect imposed restrictions on the aircraft flight operation. However, grounding might be appropriate if an operator refuses to grant access in accordance with ORO.GEN.140 (in case of an EU operator) or contrary to Regulation (EU) 452/2014 (in case of a third country operator). The inspecting authority should then ensure that the aircraft will not depart as long as the reasons for the grounding remain. Any records of communication undertaken pursuant to ARO.RAMP.140(b), as well as other evidences, should be collected and kept as evidential material.

(d)If inspectors have imposed any restrictions and/or corrective actions, these should be mentioned in the ramp inspection report.