EASA SIB NE-14-10
Merl, Inc. Batteries, used in Narco Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)
Summary
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SAIB: NE-14-10 is an FAA informational bulletin addressing maintenance concerns related to Merl, Inc. batteries used in Narco Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs). It highlights potential battery leakage and corrosion issues that could render the ELT inoperable, affecting aircraft equipped with these specific ELTs. The bulletin does not mandate regulatory action but provides guidance to owners, operators, and maintainers.
What Changed
SAIB NE-14-10 introduces awareness about a maintenance oversight involving inspection requirements in 14 CFR 91.207 for Narco ELTs using Merl, Inc. batteries. It emphasizes the risk of battery acid corrosion causing ELT failure and recommends increased inspection vigilance without imposing new regulatory mandates.
Why It Matters
This bulletin matters because undetected battery leakage and corrosion can cause ELTs to fail, compromising emergency location capabilities critical for flight safety. Aviation professionals must ensure compliance with existing inspection intervals to prevent inoperable ELTs and avoid potential safety hazards near flight control cables.
What To Do
Owners, operators, and maintainers should increase inspection frequency awareness for corrosion on Narco ELT battery terminals as outlined in 14 CFR 91.207(d), which requires inspections every 12 calendar months. If corrosion is found, inspect surrounding mountings and flight control cables and replace batteries or ELTs with airworthy parts as necessary. No specific compliance deadline is stated beyond the existing regulatory inspection intervals.