Source: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/_layouts/ntsb.recsearch/Recommendation.aspx?Rec=A-80-013
Timestamp: 2019-08-17 12:39:01
Document Index: 626429761

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 135', 'art 23', 'art 135', 'ART 23', 'art 23', 'art 135', 'ART 135']

Safety Recommendation A-80-013
Synopsis: ON MARCH 1, 1979, A BEECH 70 EXCALIBUR CONVERSION (QUEEN AIR), N777AE, CRASHED JUST AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE GULFPORT-BILOXI REGIONAL AIRPORT, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED BY UNIVERSAL AIRWAYS, INC., UNDER 14 CFR 135. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR CAME OPEN ON TAKEOFF AND STRUCK THE LEFT PROPELLER. THE DOOR APPARENTLY HAD NOT BEEN SECURED PROPERLY. IN A SIMILAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING A ROSS AVIATION BEECH 65-80 (QUEEN AIR) AT ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, ON MAY 19, 1972, NINE PERSONS WERE KILLED. AS A RESULT OF THAT ACCIDENT AND A SIMILAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING A BEECH 99, THE SAFETY BOARD ISSUED SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS A-72-78 THROUGH -81 DIRECTED TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. IN VIEW OF THE UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO OUR PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE GULFPORT ACCIDENT, THE SAFETY BOARD CONCLUDES THAT ACTION IS STILL REQUIRED TO PREVENT INADVERTENT OPENING OF NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS IN FLIGHT.
Recommendation: THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: TAKE ACTION TO PROVIDE DOUBLE FAILURE PROTECTION BY MEANS OF A SECONDARY LOCKING DEVICE ON NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS OF LIGHT TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN PART 135 OPERATIONS.
Report #: AAR-79-16
Issue Date: 2/11/1980
Response: The Safety Board has reviewed the proposed changes to 14 CFR Part 23.783(e), as published in the December 12, 1986, issue of the Federal Register, while the Board believes that the proposed changes will decrease the possibility of an inflight baggage door opening on aircraft with new type certificates, they do not address aircraft currently in service orthose that will be built under existing type certificates. The primary intent of this recommendation was for aircraft currently engaged in Part 135 operations to be appropriately modified to prevent further occurrences of inflight baggage door opening. As the action taken by the FAA does not address this point and as 7 years have elapsed since this recommendation was issued it appears that further discussion would be fruitless. Therefore, safety recommendation A-80-13 has been classified as Closed-Unacceptable Action. However, the Board will continue to stress this safety issue in future pertinent accident investigations.
Response: THE FAA HAS ISSUED A DRAFT NPRM PROPOSING TO AMEND 14 CFR PART 23. THIS PROPOSED NPRM IS PRESENTLY IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANPORTATION AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR REVIEW, AND ADDRESSES THE ISSUES OF RECOM MENDATION A-80-13.
Date: 7/21/1986
Response: The FAA has prepared a draft notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to amend 14 CFR Part 23. This proposed NPRM is presently in the office of the secretary of transportation and the Office of Management and Budget for review, and it addresses the issues of Recommendation A-80-13. It is anticipated that this notice will be published in the Federal Register before October 31, 1986, and a copy will be provided to the board shortly thereafter. I trust that this action will meet with the Board's approval.
Date: 4/26/1982
Response: In safety recommendation a-80-13, we recommended that the faa take action to provide double failure protection by means of a secondary locking device on nose baggage doors of light twin engine aircraft engaged in part 135 operations. The FAA's responses of May 14, 1980, and April 17, 1981, indicated that a study was being conducted to determine whether regulatory action was needed to resolve this recommendation and that the study was expected to be accomplished by June 1981. For our information and public docket record, we request an updated status report. This recommendation is maintained in an Open--Acceptable Action status.
Date: 5/7/1981
Response: The faa's response of may 13, 1980, and april 17, 981, indicate that a study is being conducted to determine whether regulatory action is needed to satisfy this recommendation. We note that the faa expects to complete this study by June of 1981, and will keep the safety board in- formed of significant progress in this Data Source: NTSB Recommendations to FAA and FAA Responses area. Safety rec. A-80-13 remains in an Open--Acceptable Action status.
Response: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION LTR: THE FAA HAS INITIATED A STUDY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF COLLECTING ADDITIONAL ACCIDENT, INCIDENT, SERVICE DIFFICULTY, AND OTHER DTA RELATIVE TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. WE WILL DETERMINE WHAT REGULATORY ACTION, IF ANY, IS WARRANTED AFTER COMPLETION OF THIS STUDY. WE EXPECT OUR STUDY TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE OF 1981, AND WE WILL KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THIS AREA AT THAT TIME.
Response: In order to evaluate the progress of A-80-13 and update the public docket, we would appreciate a further report of actions taken.
Date: 6/3/1980
Response: The safety board is pleased to note that the faa concurs with the intent of a-80-13 and that a study will be initiated of the baggage door locking mechanism for light twin engine aircraft. The status of this recommendation is classified as Open--Acceptable Alternate Action.
Date: 5/13/1980
Response: FAA LTR: WE CONCUR IN THE INTENT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION. ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO INITIATE A STUDY TO DETERMINE IF AN ADDITIONAL NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IS NEEDED FOR ANY SPECIFIC LIGHT TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN PART 135 OPERATIONS. IF THIS STUDY SHOWS THAT AN ADDITIONAL MECHANISM IS NEEDED ON CERTAIN MODEL AIRPLANES, WE WILL COORDINATE WITH THE APPROPRIATE MANUFACTURER TO DEVELOP SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT. WE WILL INFORM THE BOARD OF THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY AND SUBSEQUENT ACTION.