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.
