A-69-017
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
BY LETTER DATED JULY 11, 1969, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAFETY BOARD RECOMMENDED TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FAA THAT THE AUTOMATIC SWITCHING OF ESSENTIAL POWER TO STANDBY POWER UPON LOSS OF ALL GENERATORS BE MADE A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL TURBINE-POWERED AIRCRAFT. IT WAS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE ABOVE REQUIREMENT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY, THE EMERGENCY CHECKLISTS FOR ALL AIRLINES PERTAINING TO "LOSS OF ALL GENERATORS" REQUIRE THAT THE SECOND OFFICER, OR CAPTAIN IF APPROPRIATE, CHECK TO ASSURE THAT THE BATTERY SWITCH IS ON, THEN IMMEDIATELY SWITCH ESSENTIAL POWER TO THE STANDBY OR EMERGENCY POSITION. IT WAS THE SAFETY BOARD'S VIEW THAT THIS WOULD GIVE THE CAPTAIN THE INSTRUMENTS AND LIGHTS NECESSARY TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WHILE THE SECOND OFFICER COULD "TROUBLESHOOT" THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to mandate that turbine-powered aircraft automatically switch essential power to standby when all generators are lost. Until that rule takes effect, airlines must update their emergency checklists for a total generator failure: the second officer (or captain if needed) must verify the battery switch is on, then immediately turn essential power to standby or emergency. The Safety Board believes this will give the captain the instruments and lights to fly while the second officer troubleshoots the electrical system.
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 | Aug 8, 1969 |
| NTSB number | DCA69A0013 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).