Source: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/_layouts/ntsb.recsearch/Recommendation.aspx?Rec=A-90-137
Timestamp: 2019-12-09 15:18:04
Document Index: 407673725

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 135', 'ART 135', 'ART 121', 'ART 121', 'ART 121', 'art 135', 'art 135', 'ART 135', 'ART 91', 'ART 135']

Safety Recommendation A-90-137
Recommendation: THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REQUIRE THAT SCHEDULED 14 CFR PART 135 OPERATIONS OF TURBINE-POWERED OR MULTIENGINE AIRPLANES BE CONDUCTED UNDER INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS OR WHENEVER VISIBILITIES LESS THAN 3 MILES OR CEILINGS LESS THAN 1,000 FEET ARE FORECAST, REPORTED, OR ENCOUNTERED. (Supersedes Safety Recommendation A-89-091)
Date Closed: 7/15/1996
Response: A-90-137 ASKED THE FAA TO REQUIRE SCHEDULED PART 135 OPERATIONS OF TURBINE-POWERED OR MULTIENGINE AIRPLANES TO BE CONDUCTED UNDER INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS OR WHENEVER VISIBILITIES LESS THAN 3 MILES OR CEILINGS LESS THAN 1,000 FEET ARE FORECAST, REPORTED, OR ENCOUNTERED. THE COMMUTER RULE ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS ABOUT VFR WEATHER MINIMUMS FOR COMMUTER AIRLINE FLIGHTS BY PLACING MOST CURRENT COMMUTER OPERATIONS UNDER THE RULES OF PART 121, WHICH RESTRICT VFR OPERATIONS. BECAUSE OF THESE ACTIONS BY THE FAA, THE BOARD CLASSIFIES A-90-137 "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."
Date: 3/26/1996
Response: ON 12/20/95, THE FAA PUBLISHED ITS COMMUTER RULE TO BRING SCHEDULED PASSENGER OPERATIONS IN AIRPLANES OF 10 OR MORE PASSENGER SEATS & ALL TURBOJET UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF 14 CFR PART 121. THIS FINAL RULE REQUIRES THAT SCHEDULED OPERATORS MEET THE 14 CFR PART 121 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES & INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES REQUIREMENTS.
Response: Safety Recommendation A-90-137 recommends that the FAA require scheduled 14 CFR Part 135 operations of turbine-powered or multiengine airplanes to be conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) during hours of darkness or whenever visibilities less than 3 miles or ceilings less than 1,000 feet are forecast, reported, or encountered. The Safety board notes that the FAA will recommend that the Joint FAA/Industry Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee discuss a proposal to require 14 CFR Part 135 operators to operate under IFR if the visibility is less than 3 miles at night. The Safety Board addressed this same topic in Safety Recommendation A-89-91, which was issued to the FAA on August 11, 1989. The FAA's response to that recommendation stated that the current requirements of 14 CFR 135.205 were adequate and that no further action was planned. The Safety Board classified Safety Recommendation A-89- 91 as "Closed--Unacceptable Response-Superseded." On November 21, 1990, following another fatal accident, the Board issued Safety Recommendation A-90-137 to the FAA and strongly believes that the FAA should take immediate action on this safety recommendation and that no further discussion or studies are necessary. Moreover, a proposal to require IFR operations at night in less than 3 miles visibility falls short of our recommendation to require IFR at night or when visibility is less than 3 miles or when ceilings are less than 1,000 feet. Thus, pending further information, Safety Recommendation A-90-137 is classified as "Open--Unacceptable Response."
Response: THE FAA WILL RECOMMEND THAT THIS ISSUE BE A TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION AT THE JOINT FAA/INDUSTRY AVIATION RULEMAKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING THE 14 CFR PART 135 NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES VISIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN LINE WITH THE REVISED 14 CFR PART 91 VISIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OF 3 STATUTE MILES AT NIGHT. IF ADOPTED, THIS WOULD REQUIRE 14 CFR PART 135 OPERATORS TO OPERATE UNDER INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES IF THE VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 3 MILES AT NIGHT.