Wow. Well, apparently this has happened before. I believe there is some form of FAA mandate for all US registered DC9/MD80 aircraft that has to do with some new type of starter/start valve.
On the aircraft in question (N454AA, the one which landed in JFK three years ago with no nose gear... not a good life so far!), the L START VALVE OPEN did not come on during engine start a week ago, which prompted the write up and subsequent deferral of the start valve.
That Balkan flight... what a tragic event!
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