Engineering Homework Help

Write Discussion Thread

Refer to the NTSB’s AAR-09-01 Accident Report regarding the NASCAR Cessna 310 crash.  Reference also 14 CFR 91.213(d). 

The NTSB found that the airplane was not legally airworthy under 91.213.  However, in their Party Submission NASCAR argued that it was legal: 

“The accident flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Operation of this aircraft with the deactivated radar unit is allowed by 14 CFR Section 91.213(d). This regulation allowed operation of the accident aircraft with the deactivated radar display unit so long as:(a) The display unit was “deactivated and placarded ‘inoperative’”; and(b) A determination is made by a pilot that the inoperative instrument orequipment does not constitute a hazard to the aircraft….

“The pilot who flew the aircraft on July 9 deactivated the radar unit by both turning off the unit at its power switch and by deactivating electric current to the radar display unit, by pulling the circuit breaker which controlled electrical power to that unit. The manufacturer’s design of the electrical switches and breaker panel facilitated this activity, allowing the deactivation of only the electrical supply to the radar.

“The purpose of “placarding,” as required by the regulation, is to advise others using the aircraft of the fact that the equipment is inoperable and has been deactivated. The pilot deactivating the radar control unit accomplished this by filling out a discrepancy notice which he placed prominently on the throttle quadrant of the aircraft, which meant that the aircraft could not be operated without the accident pilots removing the notice from that location.”

https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/document.cfm?docID=293522&docketID=44749&mkey=66154

Write at least 200 words explaining why you agree or disagree with NASCAR’s assertion that this was a legal operation of the aircraft. 

Use American spelling and grammar, and a tone appropriate for communications between safety professionals.