AC 120-42B ETOPS and Polar Ops - Code7700

AC 120-42B 6/13/08alternate, the PIC should carefully weigh the risk associated with the next possible failure, whichcould complicate or compound the current engine inoperative condition. The next possiblefailure could be a system failure or another engine failure, which in either case, would affectcrew workload and their possible success in completing the associated abnormal approach andlanding procedures. It is even possible that a contingency outside of the realm of a systemfailure, such as a passenger illness, could compound the crew’s workload normally associatedwith the current failure condition.(4) System Failure/Partial Failure.(a) During ETOPS, the limited availability of diversion airports and extendeddiversion distances require that the impact of a system failure or partial failure be carefullyevaluated. This should include a careful assessment of remaining systems and overall operationalcapability. Time permitting, full use should be made of the information available through thecertificate holder’s dispatch facility and a determination made by the PIC as to the plan for thesafe continuation of the flight, that is whether it is safer to divert and land or to continue asplanned under the circumstances.(b) If, as a result of reevaluating airplane systems, a change in flight plan isrequired, the PIC should be provided revised flight plan information and an update of conditions,including weather conditions at designated ETOPS alternates. Dispatch should advise the flightcrewmembers of additional airports on the planned route of flight that could be used fordiversion. In no case may the maximum approved diversion authority of the operation beexceeded.(5) Other Diversion Scenarios. During ETOPS an airplane may divert for reasonsother than engine or systems failure such as medical emergencies, onboard fire, ordecompression. The nature of the emergency, and its possible consequences to the airplane,passengers and crew, will dictate the best course of action suitable to the specific en routecontingency. The flightcrew must decide on the best course of action based on all availableinformation. The ETOPS Alternate Airports required by § 121.624 and designated for aparticular flight provide one option to the PIC. However, these ETOPS alternates may not be theonly airports available for the diversion and nothing in this guidance in any way limits theauthority of the PIC.e. ETOPS Procedures Documentation.(1) The certificate holder should develop unique ETOPS flightcrew procedures for eachof the flight operations requirements discussed in this section. These procedures should becontained in the applicable manual or information provided to the flightcrew. The manual orinformation provided to the flightcrew should also contain procedural information necessary tointerface with ETOPS maintenance requirements such as;• Fuel crossfeed valve operational check (if applicable);• Special ETOPS MEL requirements ;• APU in-flight start procedures (if applicable);• Engine Condition Monitoring (ECM) data recording procedures; andPage 34 Par 304