 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
A pilot reports their emb-145 direct vision (D/V) left and right sliding window pressure seals are being deferred under a non-essential function (nef) type MEL with no flight limitations; even though water can enter past the pressure seals into the cockpit above electrical equipment; wiring and relays located directly below the D/V windows.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 964531 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201108 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | EMB ERJ 145 ER&LR |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Window |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | First Officer |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Procedural MEL |
Narrative:
Company emb-145 aircraft had a non-essential function (nef) type MEL [deferral] for the first officer's (first officer) direct vision (D/V) window seal; because the window was leaking water into the cockpit. We swapped into the aircraft and the first officer informed me that the leaking [water] was so bad that when maintenance came out to check it; 'they poured water on the window and the water poured into the cockpit like the window wasn't even there.' the captain and I checked the logbook can [deferral records holder] and the first officer's direct vision window seal appeared to be deferred properly. Thus it appeared to be acceptable for water to [penetrate] the cockpit [window] over electrical equipment; wiring and relays that are located directly below the first officer's window. Because the [first officer's] D/V window seal was deferred under the non-essential function (nef) type MEL; there are no remarks prohibiting flights through known or forecasted precipitation. Suggest the direct vision (D/V) window seal should not be deferrable without restrictions; such as: no flights through known or forecasted precipitation. This is a potential safety hazard.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A pilot reports their EMB-145 Direct Vision (D/V) left and right sliding window pressure seals are being deferred under a Non-Essential Function (NEF) type MEL with no flight limitations; even though water can enter past the pressure seals into the cockpit above electrical equipment; wiring and relays located directly below the D/V windows.
Narrative: Company EMB-145 aircraft had a Non-Essential Function (NEF) type MEL [deferral] for the First Officer's (F/O) Direct Vision (D/V) window seal; because the window was leaking water into the cockpit. We swapped into the aircraft and the F/O informed me that the leaking [water] was so bad that when Maintenance came out to check it; 'they poured water on the window and the water poured into the cockpit like the window wasn't even there.' The Captain and I checked the Logbook Can [deferral records holder] and the F/O's Direct Vision window seal appeared to be deferred properly. Thus it appeared to be acceptable for water to [penetrate] the cockpit [window] over electrical equipment; wiring and relays that are located directly below the F/O's window. Because the [F/O's] D/V window seal was deferred under the Non-Essential Function (NEF) type MEL; there are no remarks prohibiting flights through known or forecasted precipitation. Suggest the Direct Vision (D/V) window seal should not be deferrable without restrictions; such as: no flights through known or forecasted precipitation. This is a potential safety hazard.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.