A-93-123
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FAA: REQUIRE THAT THE BOEING COMPANY ISSUE A TEMPORARY AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL SUPPLEMENT TO ENSURE THAT PILOTS OF BOEING 757 AND 767 AIRPLANES ARE AWARE THAT AUTOPILOTS ON THESE AIRPLANES HAVE ENGAGED, DISENGAGED, AND CHANGED MODES AND MODE CONTROL PANEL (MCP) DISPLAY WINDOW SETTINGS WITHOUT PILOT INPUT. INFORM PILOTS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND PILOT ACTIONS TAKEN DURING PREVIOUS HIGH RUDDER FORCE ANOMALIES. UNTIL POSITIVE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ARE IDENTIFIED, REQUIRE INTERIM OPERATING PROCEDURES TO SPECIFY THAT THE MCP DISENGAGE BAR BE PLACED IN THE "OFF" POSITION WHEN THE AUTOPILOT IS NOT ACTIVELY IN USE AND THAT AUTOPILOT APPROACHES BE FLOWN WITH MORE THAN ONE AUTOPILOT ENGAGED, WHEN FEASIBLE. EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING HEADING AND ALTITUDE, AS PRESENTED BY MCP DISPLAY WINDOWS.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to require Boeing to issue a temporary flight manual supplement alerting pilots of Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft that the autopilot can engage, disengage, or change modes and MCP settings without pilot input, and to inform pilots of previous high rudder force anomalies. The FAA must also require interim procedures, including placing the MCP disengage bar in the "OFF" position when the autopilot is not in use and using more than one autopilot for approaches when possible, while emphasizing the need to monitor heading and altitude on the MCP display.
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 Alternate Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Jun 5, 1996 |
| NTSB number | DCA93RA050 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).