Line Observation Safety Audit (LOSA) Update

This past year, Air Mobility Command (AMC) hosted two Line Observation Safety Audit (LOSA) safety investigation boards (SIBs). The first was for the C-17/C-21/C-40 and the first-ever Aeromedical Evacuation LOSA, and the second was for the first-ever aircraft maintenance LOSA. These SIBs authored recommendations used to improve safety. The first SIB was initially scheduled for 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19 concerns. The delay also changed the plan for AMC LOSAs going forward. For the upcoming year (2022), AMC is conducting LOSAs for air refueling (KC-135/KC-10) and, for the first time, the 618th Air Operations Center. That means AMC will need assistance for all the components of LOSA. For each LOSA, subject matter experts (SMEs) will be needed for each activity phase. The first phase is the Threat and Error Matrix workshop that develops the threats, errors, and undesired states used for a specific LOSA. Next is the observer phase, in which observers are trained and then observe operational missions and record data concerning threats to the mission, errors noted, and aircrew response. The third phase is the Roundtable. Here the observations are validated by a panel of SMEs and categorized. The last phase is the SIB, which analyzes the observations (and other data, such as previous mishaps and LOSA recommendations) and makes recommendations to the AMC Commander to reduce mission threats and update command policies. Throughout the year, AMC Safety will send solicitations to seek personnel for each phase. For more information, contact the LOSA program manager, Jeanie Hood, at DSN 779-0930, (618) 229-0930, or [email protected].