NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-79-083
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: PREPARE AND ISSUE AN ADVISORY CIRCULAR TO ALL OWNERS/OPERATORS OF AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH NICAD BATTERIES TO STRESS THE NECESSITY OF AN INSPECTION OF THE BATTERY VENTILATING SYSTEM DURING PREFLIGHT INSPECTIONS.
Safety Issue and Context
ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1977, CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS COMPANY, GATES LEARJET 25B, N999HG, CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA. ALL FIVE PERSONS ABOARD WERE KILLED, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.
Response History
June 13, 1980 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
We are pleased to note that in the month of may the faa issued advisory circular 43-16, general aviation airworthiness alert no. 22, to satisfy both recommendations. Recommendation a-79-83 is now classified as closed--acceptable alternate action.
May 21, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
Alert no. 22 in advisory circular 43-16, issued during may 1980, contains the maintenance note pertaining to batter ventilation systems (copy enclosed). We believe that this action fulfills the objective of the above safety recommendations and consider action on these recommendations completed.
February 25, 1980 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
These recommendations (a-79-83 and 84) are being maintained in an open--acceptable action status pending the faa's issuance of ac 43-16.We trust that the maintenance notes section of ac 43-16 will include the necessity for properly installed batter ventilation systems.
January 28, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
FAA LTR: BATTERY VENTILATION SYSTEM INTEGRITY IS A DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE FUNCTION RATHER THAN AN ITEM TO BE INCLUDED IN A PILOT'S PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. THE PROBABILITY OF A VENT HOSE BECOMING DETACHED BETWEEN MAINTENANCE OR PERIODIC INSPECTION INTERVALS IS EXTREMELY REMOTE. MAINTENANCE ADVISORY CIRCULAR INFORMATION IS COVERED IN OUR RESPONSE TO NTSB RECOMMENDATION A-79-84. 5/21/80 - FAA LTR IN RESPONSE TO NTSB 2/25/80 FOLLOWUP LTR: ALERT NO. 22 IN ADVISORY CIRCULAR 43-16, ISSUED DURING MAY 1980, CONTAINS THE MAINTENANCE NOTE PERTAINING TO BATTERY VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS ACTION FULFILLS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ABOVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONSIDER ACTION ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS COMPLETED.