[FCR 26] If alternative approaches are proposed (rather than meeting any part of the accepted approaches that are prescribed in sections 5, 6, 7, or 8 in this NASA Technical Standard, with the exclusions shown below), the alternative approach shall include all of the following items:
- a. Provide an equivalent assurance of mitigating the risk of catastrophic failure from flaws during the service life of the hardware.
- b. Have the approval of the RFCB.
- c. Meet all the other applicable requirements in this NASA Technical Standard.
- d. FCRs 10, 15, 20, 21, and 22 (sections 7.1, 8, 8.1.5, 8.2, and 8.3, respectively, in this NASA Technical Standard) are excluded from alternative approach consideration.
Note that FCR 26 pertains to sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 only; therefore, FCRs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 24, and 25 are also excluded from alternative approach consideration.
NASA-STD-5019A w/CHANGE 4
[Rationale: Regardless of the detailed acceptance approach used for each part, the method is to be responsive to NASA NPR directives to mitigate the risk of catastrophic failure related to flaws during the service life of the hardware. If an alternative approach is proposed, its effectiveness is to be established and the approach documented in the approved hardware-specific FCP in accordance with [FCR 1] in section 4.1 in this NASA Technical Standard.
This document contains acceptable methods for fracture control based on NASA's experience base, established approaches, industry standards, or aerospace standards that satisfy the fracture control requirements; therefore, it is advisable to use the methods prescribed in this NASA Technical Standard.
Alternatives to the approaches prescribed in this NASA Technical Standard in sections 5, 6, 7, or 8 may be proposed for a specialized part or application for which the approaches in this NASA Technical Standard are not feasible or effective or for which other viable methods are advantageous. Alternative approaches, accompanied by supporting rationale that establishes that the alternative has comparable rigor to the approaches in this NASA Technical Standard, are presented to the RFCB for review and approval. Approved alternative approaches are to be documented in the specialized FCP for the parts in accordance with [FCR 1] in section 4.1 in this NASA Technical Standard.