Broken bonding wire grounds aircraft?

[erj-145mech]

If there aren't any static wicks on the flight control, then the bonding wire serves absolutely no purpose what so ever.

Common sense must overcome stupid behavior.

 

[skydivinguy]

saved by a bonding wire!!!

If there aren't any static wicks on the flight control, then the bonding wire serves absolutely no purpose what so ever.

Common sense must overcome stupid behavior.

ding ding, you're right!!!

I've seen several A/C hit by lightning. Usually on a prop tip and usually exits off the rudder and or elevator. Seen static wick bases gone but control surfaces blown off or hanging by the bonding strap? Gimme a break!!!!

 

[Junkflyer]

Its legal to fly undeer 92.213 as was posted by cforst513.

 

[Junkflyer]

Its legal to fly under 91.213 as was posted by cforst513.

 

[Gatorman]

Is it Equipment or Insturment?

As vauge as the FARs are, they do make it possible for the knowledgable person to fly it. If it does not have a MEL.
But, as a mechanic by trade, when does it have to be repaired?

Please read...


Sec. 91.213

Inoperative instruments and equipment.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may take off an aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment installed unless the following conditions are met:
(1) An approved Minimum Equipment List exists for that aircraft.
(2) The aircraft has within it a letter of authorization, issued by the FAA Flight Standards district office having jurisdiction over the area in which the operator is located, authorizing operation of the aircraft under the Minimum Equipment List. The letter of authorization may be obtained by
written request of the airworthiness certificate holder. The Minimum Equipment List and the letter of authorization constitute a supplemental type certificate for the aircraft.
(3) The approved Minimum Equipment List must--
(i) Be prepared in accordance with the limitations specified in paragraph (b) of this section; and
(ii) Provide for the operation of the aircraft with the instruments and equipment in an inoperable condition.
(4) The aircraft records available to the pilot must include an entry describing the inoperable instruments and equipment.
(5) The aircraft is operated under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the Minimum Equipment List and the letter authorizing the use of the list.
(b) The following instruments and equipment may not be included in a Minimum Equipment List:
(1) Instruments and equipment that are either specifically or otherwise required by the airworthiness requirements under which the aircraft is type certificated and which are essential for safe operations under all operating conditions.
(2) Instruments and equipment required by an airworthiness directive to be in operable condition unless the airworthiness directive provides otherwise.
(3) Instruments and equipment required for specific operations by this part.
(c) A person authorized to use an approved Minimum Equipment List issued for a specific aircraft under Part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter shall use that Minimum Equipment List in connection with operations conducted with that aircraft under this part without additional approval requirements.
(d) Except for operations conducted in accordance with paragraph (a) or (c) of this section, a person may takeoff an aircraft in operations conducted under this part with inoperative instruments and equipment without an approved Minimum Equipment List provided--
(1) The flight operation is conducted in a--
(i) Rotorcraft, nonturbine-powered airplane, glider, or lighter-than-air aircraft for which a master Minimum Equipment List has not been developed; or
(ii) Small rotorcraft, nonturbine-powered small airplane, glider, or lighter-than-air aircraft for which a Master Minimum Equipment List has been developed; and
(2) The inoperative instruments and equipment are not--
(i) Part of the VFR-day type certification instruments and equipment prescribed in the applicable airworthiness regulations under which the aircraft was type certificated;
(ii) Indicated as required on the aircraft's equipment list, or on the Kinds of Operations Equipment List for the kind of flight operation being conducted;
(iii) Required by Sec. 91.205 or any other rule of this part for the specific kind of flight operation being conducted; or
(iv) Required to be operational by an airworthiness directive; and
(3) The inoperative instruments and equipment are--
(i) Removed from the aircraft, the cockpit control placarded, and the maintenance recorded in accordance with Sec. 43.9 of this chapter; or
(ii) Deactivated and placarded "Inoperative." If deactivation of the inoperative instrument or equipment involves maintenance, it must be accomplished and recorded in accordance with part 43 of this chapter; and
(4) A determination is made by a pilot, who is certificated and appropriately rated under part 61 of this chapter, or by a person, who is certificated and appropriately rated to perform maintenance on the aircraft, that the inoperative instrument or equipment does not constitute a hazard to the aircraft.
An aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment as provided in paragraph (d) of this section is considered to be in a properly altered condition acceptable to the Administrator.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an aircraft with inoperable instruments or equipment may be operated under a special flight permit issued in accordance with Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of this chapter.

 

[waterguy]

how many bonding wires are on that flight control? one or two? Is this a question of safty or legality?

 

[DaveJ]

This model C172 just has one wire per elevator half. The question is not a safety of flight quesion, but is it legal to fly with a broken grounding wire if fixing it is deferred until the next 100 hour inspection.

 

[Avimec]

ding ding, you're right!!!

I've seen several A/C hit by lightning. Usually on a prop tip and usually exits off the rudder and or elevator. Seen static wick bases gone but control surfaces blown off or hanging by the bonding strap? Gimme a break!!!!

Where did i say........control surface??? I cant find it maybe you can help me. You are right in a prop plane usally that is what happens. good job! But it dosent have to happen like that, it can hit the top of wing and punch holes in the belly every 2 in. or blow of a winglet. But none of that was the point All i said was its only a bonding wire, yes get it fixed when you can, but its not flight critical!!!! All i'm sayin.

 

[skydivinguy]

Where did i say........control surface??? I cant find it maybe you can help me. You are right in a prop plane usally that is what happens. good job! But it dosent have to happen like that, it can hit the top of wing and punch holes in the belly every 2 in. or blow of a winglet. But none of that was the point All i said was its only a bonding wire, yes get it fixed when you can, but its not flight critical!!!! All i'm sayin.

You didn't say contol surface, you said parts were hanging on by the bonding strap. Not sure what you work on but only control surfaces have bonding wires where I am.

 

[AgDownUnder]

If there aren't any static wicks on the flight control, then the bonding wire serves absolutely no purpose what so ever.

Common sense must overcome stupid behavior.

Yes it does actually, whether or not you have static wicks. It is there to save the bearings from a current flow caused by a difference in electrical potential between the airframe structure and control surface. Granted, it is typically not much, but there is a static difference, and when this current runs thru the bearing, it can cause pitting and premature failure. As to the lightning strike issue someone else brought up, it won't make a difference since the potential charge is still equalized through the bearing.