NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-79-084
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: EMPHASIZE TO MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FAA INSPECTORS, THROUGH APPROPRIATE FAA PUBLICATIONS, THE HAZARDS THAT CAN RESULT FROM IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BATTERY VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
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-79-84 is now classified as closed--acceptable action.
May 21, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
Alert no. 22 is advisory circular 43-16, issued during may 1980, contains the maintenance note pertaining to battery 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 battery ventilation systems.
January 28, 1980 · Recipient Response · FAA
FAA LTR: BATTERY VENTILATION IS COVERED IN THE TWO VOLUMES OF AC 43.13, ACCEPTABLE METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES. AC 43-13-1A, INSPECTION AND REPAIR, EMPHASIZES CHECKING LEAD ACID BATTERY VENTING SYSTEMS AND REITERATES THE NEED WHEN NICKEL CADMIUM (NICAD) BATTERIES ARE USED TO REPLACE LEAD ACID TYPES. AC 43.13-2, AIRCRAFT ALTERATIONS, FURTHER EMPHASIZES SUITABLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT VENTING BY STATING AIRFLOW RATES CONSIDERED ADEQUATE.
TO FURTHER EMPHASIZE THE NECESSITY FOR PROPERLY INSTALLED BATTERY VENTILATION SYSTEMS, FAA PLANS TO INCLUDE IN THE MAINTENANCE NOTES SECTION OF A FUTURE ISSUE OF AC 43-16, GENERAL AVIATION AIRWORTHINESS ALERTS, A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS INSTALLATION. 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 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONSIDER ACTION ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS COMPLETED.