Plain English Meaning

Something on the aircraft that isn't working. Before flying, the pilot must follow specific rules to decide whether the aircraft is still legal and safe to fly with that item not working.

Full Definition

Aircraft instruments or equipment that are not functioning correctly and are therefore unusable for flight. Federal regulations (14 CFR 91.213) require that any inoperative item be properly addressed before flight through one of several approved methods, such as a Minimum Equipment List (MEL), the standard inoperative equipment provisions for aircraft without an MEL, or by deactivating, removing, or repairing the item and updating the maintenance records and placards as required.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight inspection, when reviewing aircraft records, looking at cockpit placards, or finding a , , , or that does not .