crash axe

crash axe (plural crash axes)

1. (aviation) A lightweight fire axe carried in the cockpit of medium and large passenger aircraft and used to cut an escape route through aircraft wreckage after a crash, or to gain access to a hidden fire during flight.
   • 1976, First Biennial Operations Review, 1975-1976: Conference Summary‎, page 26:

     They further state the crash axe is a dangerous weapon, especially if it is put in the cabin. That point should be considered. There were two comments from ALPA: One comment was that they agreed with the proposal, thinking the crash axe has lost its effectiveness and that they would prefer a combination crash axe and pry bar. Gates Learjet commented that today's aircraft does not allow for a crash axe, and that the proposal is way too broad. They may support, or it would be okay if it was included in the aircraft operator 121 operations.

   • 1978, The MAC Flyer‎, page 29:

     Meanwhile, one of the loadmasters was trying to remove the filler cap from the utility system reservoir, but the cap was so hot it burned his hand. A second loadmaster used a crash axe to loosen the cap, then began passing back cans of spare hydraulic fluid to replenish the system.

   • 2017 March 20, John Etzil, Airliner Down: An Aviation Thriller‎, Pier West llc, →ISBN:

     Jack's mind raced as he tried to come up with a reason why this man would have a cockpit crash axe. He knew there was only one on board, and that it was stored in the cockpit. It wasn't unusual for pilots to be trapped in the cockpit after an accident. Even a minor “fender bender” could bend the airframe door enough to make the door inoperable.