A-00-043
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FAA: ADVISE ALL OPERATORS OF BOEING 727 AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH SPERRY AEROSPACE SP-50 AND SP-150 AUTOPILOTS TO INFORM THEIR PILOTS, MAINTENANCE, AND ENGINEERING PERSONNEL OF THE DANGERS OF CONDUCTING COUPLED INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM APPROACHES AT AIRSPEEDS THAT ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE DESENSITIZATION SCHEDULE OF THE AUTOPILOTS, AND NOTIFY THE OPERATORS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ASKED TO DEVELOP OPERATING LIMITATIONS FOR THE USE OF THESE AUTOPILOTS ON COUPLED APPROACHES THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE APPROACHES ARE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE AUTOPILOT DESIGN.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to tell all operators of Boeing 727 aircraft with Sperry Aerospace SP-50 and SP-150 autopilots to warn their pilots, maintenance, and engineering staff about the risks of performing coupled instrument landing system approaches at speeds not matching the autopilot's desensitization schedule. The FAA must also inform operators that the agency has been requested to create operating limits for these autopilots during coupled approaches to ensure they are flown in line with the autopilot design.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Nov 26, 2001 |
| NTSB number | DCA98MA023 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).