Originally Posted by
Old_Slartibartfast
It has always been thus. I remember Boscombe Down refusing to accept US data on their certification of a US made FADEC and insisting on doing a complete UK certification process, including a very time consuming (and costly) static code walkthrough before they would certify the engines as being fit to fly, even for flight test. Absolutely barking mad, as the engines in question had been in service int eh US for a couple of years.
Not sure which FADEC or a/c type you might be referring to, SB. The only notable example that I can think of was the Chinook Mk2 FADEC code, but that was a UK item I believe. BD had that code analysed (as they are mandated to do in all cases) and found it so bad as to be positively dangerous and stopped all further flight testing as a result. They also formally advised the RAF to ground in service Mk2's (amazingly already in squadron service despite the lack of a legal RTS) but it was too late for the crew and pax of ZD576 who perished in the infamous Mull tragedy the following day.
Perhaps if the Chinook Mk2 had entered service IAW the Regs then those 29 avoidable deaths would indeed have been avoided. As to the case you refer to, would you be kind enough to identify the a/c type involved? BD would have tested it IAW the mandated regs, including the FADEC code, just as they did with the Chinook Mk2. The difference might be that the MOD followed the regs in this case before releasing the a/c into service. A lesson learned from Mull perhaps.