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Inoperative Equipment

Part 91.213 describes how to deal with inoperative equipment in aircraft used in Part 91 operations.

Generally, if a piece of inoperative equipment is found before a flight your options are:

  • Cancel the flight
  • Perform maintenance before the flight
  • Defer maintenance of the item

Some instruments and equipment must be repaired before flight, including:

  • Those required for specific operations by Part 91, including:
  • Those required for airworthiness of the aircraft
  • Those required per the Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL)
  • Those required by an AD to be operative

There are two way to defer maintain for inoperative equipment:

  • The deferral provision of 14 CFR, part 91, section 91.213(d) and a
  • Or an FAA-approved MEL.

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge pg. 9-9

With a Minimum Equipment List​

Some aircraft (usually large or complex aircraft) will be certified with a Minimum Equipment List (MEL). An MEL will specify which equipment can be inoperable, and how it should be handled.

An MEL is issued to an aircraft's operator via a letter of authorization for a specific type and registration number. It then becomes mandatory for that aircraft. With an MEL, equipment cannot be deferred via 91.213d

If a piece of inoperative is found, it should be noted in the aircraft maintenance records, or a record specific to this purpose.

91.213(a)

Without a Minimum Equipment List​

In an airplane without an MEL, maintenance of an inoperative item can be deferred as long as the equipment is not required per:

In this case, the equipment shall either be:

  • Removed from the cockpit, the cockpit control placarded, and a record made in the maintenance log
  • Deactivate and placarded "Inoperative"
    • If the deactivation requires maintenance, it must be done by an authorized mechanic

91.213(d)