B737-800
Flight Attendant Current
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Aircraft; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Procedure
I met with Name 1 (Flight Service Policy & Procedures) at ZZZ this morning and we both audited several aircraft; five 737s and two A321s. We were also accompanied by Duty Manager; Name 2. Out of the seven; four were found with non-serviceable Universal Life Vest kits. One aircraft had too many kits aboard - three instead of two. Two kits were missing the required number of vests; and the other two were fitted with incorrect type of vest; (adult/child instead of Universal). Each were promptly reported to Line Maintenance for correction. Aircraft X and Aircraft Y were the two found to have the incorrect vest type. On Aircraft Y; the Captain added this finding to the logbook. At this point; I suggested to the group we call off the audit in order to avoid overwhelming Line Maintenance which may result in inadvertent flight delays. In addition to the non-serviceable kits; this audit brings forth the deficient training related to preflight of the Universal kit; lack of control (tamper seals) on each kit; plus a long noted history of complacency (non-compliance) regarding preflight equipment checks. As noted in previous reports; (and with the exception of the aircraft that was over-provisioned); each aircraft flew an unspecified cycles with either missing and/or incorrect provisioning of the Universal Life Vest kit. Therefore; possible violation of FAR regarding cabin emergency equipment. Flight Service Policies and Procedures now has a firsthand understanding of the gravity (and systemic) problem that each of my previous CERS/ASAP reports have documented. My hope is the significance of today's findings instills an even higher level of response from leadership (and appropriate departments) for a swift remedy of this safety risk. This ASAP report is to ensure transparency and data collection regarding this matter which has yet to be fully resolved for greater than 2.5 - 3 years.
Inflight Services Manager reported conducting an audit on seven aircraft at station and found all to have missing or incorrect life vests on aircraft ready for service or pre flighting from operations.