Citation Excel (C560XL)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General None Reported / Taken
MEL; Procedure
The CE560XL MEL allows for flight with the main CABIN DOOR light illuminated as a three day MEL. The MEL requires confirmation of the correct door pin alignment as well as other issues; prior to flight. The MEL allows flight with passengers as long as the aircraft remains below 25;000 FT and; this is the important part; seat belt sing remains illuminated. The Company now is using this MEL to perform passenger flights. No passenger; especially in a Part 91(k) or 135 flights; will remain safely seated for the entire flight just because the seat belt sign is on. In smooth air; most passengers assume the crew forgot to turn the seat belt off. Now; from the front of the aircraft; we leave the seat belt sign on for pure safety due to the door MEL; but the passengers will walk around anyway due to catering self service; physiological needs; etc. Although a customer service issue; telling the passengers they have to remain seated because of a problem with the door is also ineffective as they would likely be very concerned as to why we are flying at all. There are two choices to solve this dilemma: 1. This MEL should ALSO restrict the aircraft to non revenue flights to avoid possible injury or2. The requirement to leave the seat belt sign on should be eliminated from the MEL if technical experts determine there is no threat to passengers. I favor the first choice; either one will align the MEL with reality and allow the intended safety factors to dominate.
CE560 Captain reports that the MEL allows flight with the main cabin door light illuminated if the aircraft remains below 25;000 FT and the seat belt sign remains illuminated. Since the passengers are unlikely to keep their seat belts fastened the reporter questions the advisability of using this MEL on passenger flights.