An EMB-145 First Officer takes exception to the interpretation of a Flap Channel MEL that allows the aircraft to be continually dispatched without respect to go-around performance consideration; particularly in mountainous terrain.
Synopsis
An EMB-145 First Officer takes exception to the interpretation of a Flap Channel MEL that allows the aircraft to be continually dispatched without respect to go-around performance consideration; particularly in mountainous terrain.
Narrative
We were dispatched the other day with a legal deferral: Flap Channel. Though it was a legal deferral; I bring this up because I feel the deferral isn't restrictive enough. When one flap motor is deferred; we no longer have any backup to retract the flaps; especially in the event of a go-around. After the flap motor was deferred the aircraft was dispatched to two maintenance bases where the flap channel was not repaired and then continued to operate to airports located in mountainous terrain; including DEN. The MEL only provides guidance; remarks and procedures for a takeoff airport. This would suggest this MEL was designed to get the aircraft to a maintenance base where repairs can be made. Flying around; continuing business as usual; especially into mountainous terrain; with no backup to a critical component that directly affects the performance of the airplane is unsafe and appalling. I do not want to think about flying an approach at full flaps in an airport surrounded by mountains and having the one remaining flap channel fail and needing to go around. I believe this deferral needs to be readdressed.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.