Background

EWIS was initially introduced as AMC material by EASA through AMC 20-21, AMC 20-22, and AMC 20-23.
Unlike Fuel Tank Safety (FTS) this was not driven by primary legislation (it should have been; essentially, there is little difference in the need for both FTS and EWIS). This was a shortfall introduced by EASA, which was later corrected in November 2011 with the enhanced requirement to include EWIS as part of the competence (but note this only applies to 145 - still not “fixed” for CAMO staff in many organisations that have not received EWIS training).

Every year there are literally hundreds of electrical events, incidents, & accidents caused by electrical wiring on commercial aircraft.

The following picture shows what happened to Egypt Air 777, which was essentially written off by an EWIS event:

This was caused by a fire where an electrical wire chafed against an oxygen pipe to deliver what could have been a catastrophe, but luckily happened on the ground!

FAR 21 / CS 21 requires a clearance of 5 cm between electrical and oxygen installations; unfortunately, many (possibly the majority) of aircraft inspectors are not trained on FAR 21. (This was the recommendation of the NTSB following the fire onboard Swissair Flight 111 in September 1998 but was rejected by the FAA.)

The bottom line is still valid today: inspectors are required to be assessed for competence. How is this performed and demonstrated to the satisfaction of the quality system to be effective?

Without better management of EWIS, we will see further events.

EASA recommends training of Pilots & Cabin Crew but it is not mandatory. (So how many airlines actually do this?)
Does your airline train is Pilots & Cabin Crew? If not, why not? Have you assessed the risk? Take another look at Swissair 111.

Essentially, the “EWIS Problem is as follows”:

a) EWIS as a risk and exposure is not fully appreciated within many organisations
b) EWIS training is not in sufficient depth to address the specific needs of the organisation
c) EWIS practical inspection training is not structured and managed
d) EWIS practical use of tooling training is not structured and managed
e) EWIS procedures related to the testing and cleaning of EWIS are often not detailed with the organisation
f) The regulator does not assess the competence of the management of the EWIS process, including auditing and training
g) The practical training element is usually deficient in not addressing the role of MSG 3 and the difference between MSG 2 and MSG 3

Performing an EWIS Audit.

Management

1. Is there a process in place to ensure the effective management of the organisations obligation in respect of compliance with EWIS requirements, specifically in respect of AMC 20-21?
2. How is the effectiveness of this process measured—against what organisational criteria is it measured?
3. How is the training program managed and administered to include theoretical and practical training for all required groups?
4. How is the competence of the management process assessed in respect of EWIS, and again, what organisational criteria is it measured against?

Training

1. Does the training include all necessary elements as applicable in AMC 20-22 that are relevant to the organisation?
2. Are additional organisational processes and procedures sufficiently detailed to facilitate effective training?
3. Does the Theory element of EWIS training meet the organisations requirement (note that, as mentioned above, AMC 20-21 IS minimum compliance and does not, for example, cover CS21)?
4. How is the practical element of EWIS training managed both in respect of Inspection techniques and use of tooling and equipment?
5. Who are the nominated practical assessors?
6. What training do the nominated practical assessors receive, and is this acceptable to the organisation – what organisational criteria is evident?

Documentation

1. What documentation is available to support EWIS within the organisation (Guidance / Inspection / Additional Cleaning procedures etc.)?
2. Is this documentation acceptable, and to what criteria is it assessed against?

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