B1900 Ramp Check

[kilpicki]

The local Aviation Authority did a ramp check on a 1900 and grounded it on finding 2 of the engine chin cowl screws missing.

The maintenance and ground crew of this machine had a discussion as to the level of knowledge and intellegence of said inspectors.

Anyone care to comment

[Liquid Charlie]

Very simple -- if it is not addressed in an air craft manual someplace they need to be there - large airplanes have a manual saying what panels and fairings etc that can be missing - it has to be addressed and written up in the logbook - I doubt a beech 1900 has such provisions - so yes it likely should have been grounded --

[Brantford Beech Boy]

Some years ago, I was once ramped in a 1900 (freighter) too.
The inspector became extremely concerned that we did not have the cargo blankets over the freight in the compartment by the cargo door.
I calmly indicated they were not necessary.
He looked me in the eye and asked how safe I felt without that cargo blanket securing the freight (in the most rear section of the plane).
I calmly indicated that I felt most safe with the 6 other 9G nets between me and this compartments cargo.
He became agitated and insisted I look in my COM, as he believed it would state in there the need for these cargo blankets.
I calmly indicated they were not necessary.
He became more agitated and exclaimed he would have to talk to 'Bruce'
I calmly asked who 'Bruce' was.
He then became confused that I was unaware that 'Bruce' was my Ops Manager.

I then calmly directed him to look at the large letters on the side of the plane that spelled out our company name and logo, and revealed to him that we were not the company he was talking about.

We then informed him that we were behind schedule and must depart.
Never heard anything more about it......

I've encountered all kinds of TC guys. Some are exceptional, most are just there to do thier job, and some are just useless.
I suspect, just like the general pilot population.

BBB

[Brantford Beech Boy]

and LC, believe it or not, there is a CDL for the 1900, however I don't believe it covers chin cowling screws.....at least it didn't the last time I looked....

[Meatservo]

It's a good thing you were able to behave so calmly. You were able to 'keep calm, and carry on". Well done, Beech Boy.

[Liquid Charlie]

and LC, believe it or not, there is a CDL for the 1900,

cool -- Beech heavy --

Never too old to learn -- thanks BB

[Brantford Beech Boy]

only the guilty are nervous....

BBB

[kilpicki]

so were all in agreement, if there is a screw missing from a panel on your machine it is in effect grounded, not airworthy as far as the books go, so no insurance, etc.

I would advise all you pilots flying the1900 (or any AC I guess) to do a good walk round before you accept your machine for the next flight, especially look at the engine chin cowls and the wing leading edge removable panels and the lower wing panels, one missing screw dont fly it.

[RVgrin]

And the regulator's reply would be: Perhaps a couple screws won't make the plane fall out of the sky (but that hasn't been tested!). If I let the company get away with a couple missing chin panel screws, next time the pilot might be pressured to fly with 3 missing (and the creep towards an accident begins), or with some other "small" problem that intuitively seems like no big deal, but really is. I can provide you with a lot of examples where what is "obvious" is actually wrong, and several parts that are way more important than they look. You have to draw the line somewhere. Ask the flying public where they want it drawn. Grounding that plane until those two screws get replaced sends an important message: We want certified planes be kept the same across the world's fleet so that when one falls out of the sky for a mechanical issue we can fix the problem before another accident happens.

At least that is what I imagine he would say. Is he wrong?