Aircraft De-icers - Irish Health and Safety Authority Safety Alert issued on 22 Oct 2008
Following a recent fatal accident involving the operation of an FMC manufactured small modular aircraft de-icer (SMD), the Irish Health and Safety Authority wish to advise as follows:
The preliminary investigation indicates that the pin and associated bearing connecting the boom lift cylinder to it's lower mounting (rotator) failed, causing sudden collapse of the boom and basket.
All operators of these machines should now carry out a thorough inspection of boom pins and bearings and checking of grease ways.
In order to carry out appropriate inspection, it is advisable that boom pins and bearings be removed to facilitate this inspection process and replaced with new parts if required. All operators of similar type machines should immediately carry out a thorough inspection of their machines paying particular attention to boom pins, bearings and greasing arrangements.
The AGCS suggests that organisations using this type of equipment should check their machines.