Maintenance Safety

Many of us recognize one of the ingredients to making our flying less risky and safer is good maintenance. At the same time, sometimes we give little thought to ways to make aircraft maintenance itself less risky and safer. The fact is the typical private-pilot-or-better performing preventive maintenance under FAR 43, Annex A doesnt pay enough attention to safety while working on aircraft. Some professionals dont either.

A Bartlett

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft maintenance demands a heightened focus on safety, requiring thorough planning, a clear mind, and strict adherence to established protocols to prevent injury and damage.
Always consult approved service manuals and data, understand potential hazards (e.g., high pressure, chemicals), and utilize appropriate personal protective equipment.
Employ proper tools and maintain rigorous tool control to avoid improvisation and ensure no tools are left in the aircraft, as incorrect practices can lead to catastrophic failures.

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Many of us recognize one of the ingredients to making our flying less risky and safer is good maintenance. At the same time, sometimes we give little thought to ways to make aircraft maintenance itself less risky and safer. The fact is the typical private-pilot-or-better performing preventive maintenance under FAR 43, Annex A doesn’t pay enough attention to safety while working on aircraft. Some “professionals” don’t either.

As an aircraft mechanic and pilot for over 50 years, I have witnessed more than one accident resulting in injury while working on aircraft. But a little common sense goes a long way toward working safely and promoting a safe work environment around aircraft when working with others or alone.