RNB's Comments

No. 6:

I'm serious: In the U.S. (and Canadian law and aviation regulations match) it is illegal to operate a commercial aircraft with any of the items on the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) not in operating condition. And the fuel quantity indicating system is one of those items. Capt. Pearson was in violation of safety regulations before he ever left the ground, with the result that he nearly killed everyone on board. And I do mean 'he': The pilot is not responsible for performing maintenance on an aircraft (he isn't licensed to do it) but the pilot is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the plane.

The pilot in command (Pearson, in this case) is required prior to departure to do a brief inspection of the aircraft, to check the maintenance logbook for any outstanding discrepancies, and to run through a lengthy checklist to assure that the aircraft is in good operating condition.

From the account, Pearson _knew_ this B767 had a faulty FQIS. Air Canada's procedures were very clear about what he should do in such a case: Wait for the item to be put in good working order before operating the airplane. Instead, he elected to have the fuel quantity manually measured. Then he screwed up the calculations to determine whether there was enough fuel on board to make the flight.

He should have been canned.
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Y'know, every commercial airliner type has a document called the "Minimum Equipment List." And it's called the "MINIMUM Equipment List" for a reason -- you're not supposed to fly the airplane without all those items being functional!

I don't care what a hotshot glider pilot Capt. Pearson was, he (and his copilot) should have been canned. Air Canada should have been heavily fined, and a thorough review of their safety and training programs instituted.

There's more to being a "professional" airline pilot than good stick-and-rudder work. This is a textbook example of a pilot with the Wrong Stuff.
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  • Member Since 2012/08/04


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