XIII.B.

Systems and Equipment

Malfunctions________________________________________
References:
1. FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook)
2. FAA-S-8081-1 (Private Pilot Practical Test Standards) pg. 1-28
3. FAA-S-8081-2 (Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards) pg. 1-28 / 2-29
4. Pilots Operating Handbook (POH)
5. FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual

Objective To provide the pilot with an understanding of Systems and Equipment Malfunctions.

Elements 1. Smoke, fire, or both during ground or flight operations.

2. Rough running engine or partial power loss.
3. Loss of engine oil pressure.
4. Fuel starvation.
5. Engine overheat.
6. Hydraulic system malfunction.
7. Electrical system malfunction.
8. Carburetor or induction icing.
9. Door or window opening in flight.
10. Inoperative or “runaway” trim.
11. Landing gear or flap malfunction.
12. Pressurization malfunction.
13. Any other system or equipment malfunction.

Schedule 1. Discuss Objectives 03

2. Review Material 02
3. Development 20
4. Conclusion 05

Equipment 1. Airplane Flying Handbook

2. Private/Commercial PTS
3. White board and markers

IP’s Actions 1. Discuss lesson objectives

2. Present Lecture
3. Ask and Answer Questions

SP’s Actions 1. Participate in discussion

2. Take notes
3. Ask and respond to questions

Completion This lesson will be complete when the SP demonstrates an understanding of the elements
Standards related to Systems and Equipment Malfunctions.

XIII.B. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions

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XIII.B. Systems and Equipment
Malfunctions________________________________________
INTRODUCTION:

WHAT? – The aircraft’s installed equipment and the indication of malfunction.

WHY? - It is important to understand the cause of a possible malfunction and the appropriate action required to
remedy the situation.
OVERVIEW - This lesson will cover the basic elements pertaining to Systems and Equipment Malfunction,
including:
1. Smoke, fire, or both during ground or flight operations.
2. Rough running engine or partial power loss.
3. Loss of engine oil pressure.
4. Fuel starvation.
5. Engine overheat.
6. Hydraulic system malfunction.
7. Electrical system malfunction.
8. Carburetor or induction icing.
9. Door or window opening in flight.
10. Inoperative or “runaway” trim.
11. Landing gear or flap malfunction.
12. Pressurization malfunction.
13. Any other system or equipment malfunction.
DEVELOPMENT:
HOW?
Note: use the checklists for all items.
1.) SMOKE, FIRE, OR BOTH DURING GROUND OR FLIGHT OPERATIONS.
A.) GROUND OPERATIONS:
1. Usually occurs during engine start.
2. Caused by overpriming.
B.) INFLIGHT:
1. Before taking action, determine if engine or electrical fire.
a) Engine fire
(1) Slip to keep smoke away from cabin
(2) Prepare for forced landing since you are stopping fuel supply to engine.
(3) Stop fuel flow (mixture cutout, fuel selector)
b) Electrical fire
(1) Isolate electric system (master switch off)
(2) land as soon as practical, since you have no lights, radio
2.) ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE OR PARTIAL POWER LOSS.
A.) May be caused by:
1. Bad magneto
2. Induction icing
3. Spark plug fouling
4. Clogged injectors
5. Improper mixture adjustment. (Most likely)
B.) Recommended Pilot Action:
1. Adjust Mixture
2. Cycle Magnetos
3. Use Carb Heat

XIII.B. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions

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3.) LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE.
A.) Causes:
1. Malfunctioning of the regulating system.
2. Oil starvation.
3. Malfunctioning gauge.
4. Oil cap may not be secure.
B.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Land ASAP to correct
4.) FUEL STARVATION.
A.) Causes:
1. Inaccurate fuel gauges.
2. Contaminated fuel.
3. Forgetting to switch fuel tanks.
4. Incorrect use of the mixture.
5. Carburetor ice.
B.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Determine Cause
2. Switch Tanks
3. Electric Fuel Pump On
4. Adjust mixture
C.) Note: if one tank runs dry, it may take 10 seconds before fuel is in the lines to attempt a restart.
5.) ENGINE OVERHEAT.
A.) Usually noted by oil temperature gauge.
B.) Caused by:
1. Low oil level.
2. Obstruction in oil cooler.
3. Damaged or improper baffle seal.
4. Defective gauge.
5. Could be indicated by cylinder head temperature gauge.
C.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Land ASAP to correct
6.) HYDRAULIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
A.) System used for extension/retraction of landing gear.
B.) Caused by:
1. Failed hydraulic pump.
2. Leak in hydraulic system.
C.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Abrupt maneuvers to lower gear
2. Land to correct
7.) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
A.) Detected by monitoring ammeter.
B.) Caused by:
1. Broken alternator belt
2. Malfunctioning alternator
C.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Turn off all non-essential electric equipment
a) The DME uses the most power and should be first to be turned off
2. Turn off Alternator switch
3. Land ASAP to correct

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8.) CARBURETOR OR INDUCTION ICING.
A.) Vaporization of fuel, combined with decreasing air pressure causes sudden cooling of mixture.
B.) Possible between -7 to 21 degrees Celsius with visible moisture/high humidity.
C.) Indication of carburetor icing:
1. Loss of rpm.
2. Engine roughness.
D.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Use of carburetor heat will decrease power output
9.) DOOR OR WINDOW OPENING IN FLIGHT.
A.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Maintain control of plane.
2. Slow airplane
3. Close vents and open storm window (Create low pressure in cabin)
4. Close door and continue flight
5. If door will not close, land to correct
10.) INOPERATIVE OR “RUNAWAY” TRIM.
A.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Plan to land at a higher airspeed.
2. Disconnect electrical connection.
11.) LANDING GEAR OR FLAP MALFUNCTION.
A.) Landing gear recommended pilot actions
1. Cycle gear
2. Abrupt movements to shake gear loose.
3. Manual extension
4. Release hydraulic pressure.
B.) Flaps recommended pilot actions
1. Cycle flaps
12.) PRESSURIZATION MALFUNCTION.
A.) Recommended Pilot Action
1. Descend immediately.
2. Use supplemental oxygen
13.) ANY OTHER SYSTEM OR EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION.
A.) Refer to the POH.

CONCLUSION

OVERVIEW
Discuss Elements to include:
1. Smoke, fire, or both during ground or flight operations.
2. Rough running engine or partial power loss.
3. Loss of engine oil pressure.
4. Fuel starvation.
5. Engine overheat.
6. Hydraulic system malfunction.
7. Electrical system malfunction.
8. Carburetor or induction icing.
9. Door or window opening in flight.
10. Inoperative or “runaway” trim.
11. Landing gear or flap malfunction.
12. Pressurization malfunction.
13. Any other system or equipment malfunction.

PRIVATE PTS:
As Stated

COMMERCIAL PTS:
As Stated
XIII.B. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
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COMPLETION
STANDARDS:
1. This lesson will be complete when student has an understanding of Systems and Equipment
Malfunctions.

XIII.B. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions

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