A-70-018
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT THE SECOND OFFICER ON A B-727 BE PROVIDED WITH A POSITIVE INDICATION ON HIS PANEL WHEN THE STANDBY SYSTEM IS BEING POWERED FROM THE BATTERY. SUCH AN INDICATION COULD TAKE THE FORM OF A LIGHT, SUCH AS THAT INSTALLED ON THE B-747 AIRCRAFT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. THE LIGHT WOULD BECOME ILLUMINATED WHEN THE STANDBY SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. ANOTHER ALTERATION WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THE TRANSFER OF THE STANDBY FEATURE FROM THE ESSENTIAL POWER SELECTOR SWITCH TO A SEPARATE ON-OFF TOGGLE SWITCH, WHICH AGAIN IS THE ARRANGEMENT ON THE B-747. THE ADDITION OF SUCH A SWITCH WOULD NOT ONLY SERVE TO SIMPLIFY ACTIVATION OF THE STANDBY SYSTEM, BUT WOULD ALSO FACILITATE TROUBLESHOOTING THE GENERATORS WHEN THE STANDBY SYSTEM IS ON.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The NTSB advised the FAA to require Boeing 727 aircraft to install a clear visual signal, such as a light, that alerts the second officer when the standby power system is running on battery. This recommendation also suggested moving the control for this system to its own dedicated switch rather than sharing it with other essential power controls. These changes would help pilots easily see when the backup system is active and make it simpler to diagnose generator issues while the standby mode is engaged.
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 | Jun 26, 1970 |
| 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).