A sport pilot notices the fuel quantity indicator in an amateur-built LSA is inoperative before a local flight. There is no minimum equipment list (MEL) for this aircraft. Under 14 CFR 91.213(d), what must be true for the flight to legally proceed with this item inoperative?
- AA mechanic or pilot must determine the item is not required by the type certificate, not required by 91.205 or an AD, and either remove/placard it or have a mechanic deactivate it, determining it poses no hazard
- BThe pilot may placard the item inoperative and fly, since fuel gauges are never required equipment
- CThe item can never be deactivated; the flight must be canceled until repaired
- DThe item may be ignored without any inspection or placard as long as the pilot personally verifies fuel visually before flight
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. A mechanic or pilot must determine the item is not required by the type certificate, not required by 91.205 or an AD, and either remove/placard it or have a mechanic deactivate it, determining it poses no hazard
14 CFR 91.213(d) allows operation with inoperative equipment on an aircraft without an MEL only if specific conditions are met: the item is not required by the type certificate data sheet, not required by 91.205 or an applicable AD, is determined by a pilot or mechanic to not constitute a hazard, and is either removed/placarded (pilot) or deactivated and placarded (mechanic, if maintenance is required to deactivate).
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Fuel quantity indicators are required equipment under 91.205 for both day and night VFR, so this option misstates the rule and skips required determinations.
- C. 91.213(d) does provide a lawful path to fly with certain inoperative equipment.
- D. A visual determination alone does not satisfy the placarding and hazard-determination requirements of 91.213(d).
Inoperative Equipment (91.213(d))
Without an MEL, inoperative instruments/equipment may be flown with only if not required by type certificate, 91.205, or an AD, determined not to be a hazard, and properly removed/placarded or deactivated.
- Fuel quantity gauges are required VFR day/night equipment under 91.205
- Pilot can placard/remove simple items; mechanic must deactivate items requiring maintenance
- Applies only when aircraft has no FAA-approved MEL
Memory trick: No MEL? Check TC, 205, AD, Hazard, Placard (T-2-A-H-P)