What should be done if a safety system fault is detected and MEL/CDL permits operation?

• A. Continue operation in accordance with MEL/CDL until maintenance can repair the fault.
• B. Immediately declare an emergency and divert.
• C. Ignore the fault and continue as if nothing is wrong.
• D. Fall back to manual controls exclusively.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the MEL/CDL defines what faults can be tolerated and how to operate safely with them. If a safety system fault is detected but the MEL/CDL allows continued operation, you follow the MEL/CDL procedures and operate the airplane under those prescribed limitations until maintenance can repair the fault. This means you stay within the approved degraded mode or restrictions, complete any required actions or checklists, and log the fault for scheduled maintenance. The flight remains safe to operate as long as you stay within those limits and the fault does not exceed what the MEL/CDL permits.

Declaring an emergency or diverting is not automatically required for a MEL/CDL-permitted fault; that step is reserved for conditions that genuinely threaten safety. Ignoring the fault isn’t acceptable, and simply switching to manual controls isn’t mandated by the MEL/CDL unless the documentation specifies that as a limitation or remedy.