Originally Posted by
PowderFinger
The reason for an MEL and things like ETOPS, in the FARs is because without them safety would only be in the eyes of the beholder. It provides a minimum level of protection/safety for the general population.
MELs came about after accidents ... Basically bargained for by operators.
ETOPs came about after a close call where an L1011 (I believe) touched down after losing 2 of the 3 engines ... And the 3rd engine was on the way ... All three had an oil seal installed incorrectly.
No safety forethought involved in either MELs or ETOPs ... Both were reactive.
OOPs
ETOPs came about because two engine airplanes need to be certified for over water ops. More than two engine airplanes operate under different standards. If you fly over terrain look up Method I and II standards, the requirements for alternates and such.
Please check out your “facts” before pushing the send key.
And as I wrote, regs have a history of graves behind them. Why? Probably because the designers can’t think of everything when they design something, the law of unintended consequences is always active, hind sight is 20/20...