An airplane operated under Part 91 has no FAA-approved Minimum Equipment List. During preflight, the pilot discovers that the fuel gauge for the auxiliary tank is inoperative. According to 14 CFR 91.213(d), what must be true before the pilot may operate the airplane with this instrument inoperative?
- AThe inoperative instrument must not be required by the type certification data sheet or by 91.205, must not be required by an airworthiness directive, and must be removed or deactivated and placarded 'Inoperative,' with a determination by a pilot or mechanic that it does not constitute a hazard
- BThe pilot may defer the repair indefinitely provided the flight remains within gliding distance of an airport
- CThe airplane may not be flown until the instrument is repaired or a special flight permit is obtained
- DThe inoperative instrument must be listed as optional equipment in the AFM and reported to the FAA within 10 days of discovery
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The inoperative instrument must not be required by the type certification data sheet or by 91.205, must not be required by an airworthiness directive, and must be removed or deactivated and placarded 'Inoperative,' with a determination by a pilot or mechanic that it does not constitute a hazard
Without an approved MEL, 91.213(d) allows flight with inoperative equipment only if the item is not required by the type certificate data sheet, not required by 91.205 for the flight conditions, not required by an AD, and is removed or deactivated and placarded, with a determination made that its absence does not constitute a hazard.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Gliding distance to an airport is not a criterion under 91.213(d).
- C. A special flight permit is only needed if the aircraft is not airworthy for any flight, which is not automatically the case here.
- D. There is no requirement to report inoperative equipment to the FAA within 10 days.
Inoperative Equipment without an MEL (91.213(d))
Allows dispatch with inoperative instruments/equipment if specific conditions are met when no FAA-approved MEL exists for the aircraft.
- Item must not be required by the Kinds of Equipment List/Type Cert
- Item must not be required by 91.205 for that flight
- Item must not be required by an AD
- Item is removed/deactivated and placarded 'Inoperative'
Memory trick: No MEL? Check TC, 205, AD, then placard it.