As a member in good standing of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, you are entitled to the services of all Departments of the organization. In the event of a major aircraft accident or evacuation you are entitled to representation. Following any such event, members should consult with an AFA-CWA representative before making statements to anyone, including the news media. You may make the following declaration:

“Before making a statement or report, I wish to consult with a representative from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.”

Flight Attendants have the right to representation and every effort should be made to advise the Flight Attendant of that right prior to the investigation.

Any person interviewed by an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during the investigation, regardless of the form of the interview (sworn, unsworn, transcribed, not transcribed, etc.), has the right to accompanied, represented, or advised by an attorney or non-attorney representative.

Once the Flight Attendant(s) have received medical attention and are emotionally ready, it can be expected that written statements, as well as interviews, will be requested by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), management at the carrier and/or local law enforcement.

AFA International has prepared the following for guidance when preparing your brief statement.

I, _________________________(name) am employed as a flight attendant with Spirit Airlines. I am based at __________(location). I worked as FA _______on Flight Number_______, scheduled from __________ (departure city) to ______________________(arrival city) on __________(DATE). The Aircraft was an A_______(319,320,321) Tail number _________.

During ________________________(Phase of Flight)

(factually describe this incident utilizing the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY).

Was there an Emergency Landing? YES or NO

Did you Cabin Prep? YES or NO / Minimal or Full

Did you Evacuate the AC? YES or NO

I am not in a position to provide further specific factual information at this time. I will fully cooperate in any investigation regarding this situation and will provide further facts relating to this incident as soon as I am able. I also request that my AFA Safety Representative be included in any debriefing scheduled or company calls/chats.

Signed by ________________________________

**This is NOT the Required Operations Report (ROR) just a brief statement of the incident.

Revised: 08/22

If your performance either contributed to an accident or cannot be completely discounted as a contributing factor, your company can administer an alcohol test up to eight hours and/or a urine drug test up to 32 hours after the accident. Be readily available for such testing. If the alcohol test is not administered within eight hours, the employer shall cease attempts to administer an alcohol test and shall prepare and maintain a record stating the reasons the test was not administered. FARs Part 121 Appendix I & J

Further, FAR 91.17 states that a crew member must submit to alcohol testing when requested by a law enforcement officer authorized by the state or local law to conduct the test. The FAA may request the results of such tests.

Violation of both of these rules may lead to discipline, termination, or being permanently barred from working as a flight attendant.

It is common, and even normal, for people to experience “emotional aftershocks” when they have been involved in or impacted by a serious event such as an accident.

AFA-CWA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is trained to assist victims.

Remember that EAP assistance is available to you throughout the investigation as well as, anytime afterward – just ask your EAP Representative or call AFA-CWA EAP at 800-424-2406 for help.