TFOA

A

Airshow Pilot'ish

Guest
I have an aerobatic aircraft with externally mounted camera mounts. The mounts are great and will not allow the camera to budge even under high G. Unfortunately, if the camera case is not closed and locked properly, the camera will fall out of the case.

During a recent flight, the case must not have been locked properly, and I came back with no camera in the case. I am pretty sure as soon as I hit flying speed or turned after takeoff that thing was gone, and therefore dropped within the field boundaries. We swept the runway to check for FOD but did not see it.

My question to the group is: what are the proper procedures for filing a TFOA? Should I file an NASA report first (or is that the proper way to report it)? I've read that a temporary mount with no permanent attachment (screws) is legal but I don't want to get into that discussion with my FSDO since it is open to interpretation.
 
External mounts are a violation of the TCDS. That' not "open to interpretation". I would not file any reports- or if you file a NASA repot be sure to not self incriminate in the title line.
 
Airshow Pilot'ish said:
I have an aerobatic aircraft with externally mounted camera mounts. The mounts are great and will not allow the camera to budge even under high G. Unfortunately, if the camera case is not closed and locked properly, the camera will fall out of the case.

During a recent flight, the case must not have been locked properly, and I came back with no camera in the case. I am pretty sure as soon as I hit flying speed or turned after takeoff that thing was gone, and therefore dropped within the field boundaries. We swept the runway to check for FOD but did not see it.

My question to the group is: what are the proper procedures for filing a TFOA? Should I file an NASA report first (or is that the proper way to report it)? I've read that a temporary mount with no permanent attachment (screws) is legal but I don't want to get into that discussion with my FSDO since it is open to interpretation.
Click to expand...

Probably in here somewhere, https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/report/
 
bbchien said:
External mounts are a violation of the TCDS. That' not "open to interpretation". I would not file any reports- or if you file a NASA repot be sure to not self incriminate in the title line.
Click to expand...
It appears that the FAA largely ignores cameras temporarily stuck on airplanes without benefit of additional paperwork.
 
To the OP, why do you feel the need to report anything?
 
bbchien said:
External mounts are a violation of the TCDS. That' not "open to interpretation". I would not file any reports- or if you file a NASA repot be sure to not self incriminate in the title line.
Click to expand...

OK, so I see plenty of airshow aircraft (certified) flying with external mounts. I am assuming they have been approved and inspected by the FAA (since they are inspected at every show). How then do they report a camera that has fallen off their aircraft? (or anything else for that matter)
 
Thank God that there isn't a camera mounted on the outside.
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bbchien said:
External mounts are a violation of the TCDS
Click to expand...
Not always, you must modify the structure to violate the TCDS. FAA has already ruled, suction cup type mounts that are place as to not interfere with flight control air flow are OK, no paper required. Drill a hole? different story.
 
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