Tue, May 25, 2010
Items Placed On Glare Shield Of Particular Interest
An event aboard a Mitsubishi MU-2B has prompted the FAA to
issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB)
concerning the potential hazards and airworthiness concerns related
to having loose equipment in the flight compartment; particularly
items placed on the glare shield. It applies to all aircraft that
have a glare shield installed above the instrument panel, and is of
particular concern to aircraft with windshield heating systems
where the power terminal strips may be exposed and subject to an
electrical short from a foreign object placed on the glare
shield.
During recent flight, thick black smoke filled the cockpit of a
Mitsubishi MU-2B, and the crew was forced to make an emergency
landing. It was discovered that a hand-held GPS receiver and
antenna had been set on the glare shield. A metallic portion of the
GPS antenna inadvertently made contact across the windshield heater
terminal strips, resulting in an electrical short circuit. The
resulting current flow caused the loose equipment to burn,
resulting in smoke in the cockpit.
The FAA says that loose equipment on the glare shield or in the
cockpit can present a hazard, particularly for aircraft with a
windshield heater system installed where electrical terminal strips
may be exposed and subject to short circuit. Owners and operators
should recognize the potential for exposed terminal strips to be
attached to high current windshield heating systems and refrain
from placing any loose items on the glare shield that might cause
an electrical short and subsequent electrical fire. If possible,
these terminal strips should also be insulated or covered to
mitigate such an occurrence.
The FAA also reminds owners and operators that loose or portable
equipment on the glare shield can obscure the field of view of the
crew, can potentially influence the magnetic compass accuracy, and
can become a hazard in turbulence. Loose or portable items and
equipment should be properly secured prior to and during the
flight, portable or loose equipment should be isolated from other
equipment installed, and the magnetic compass should be checked to
assure it is not being affected by any magnetic or electrical
influence from portable or loose equipment.
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