Reluctant Test Pilot

As anyone who reads this magazine knows, most GA accidents are caused by the loose screw between the seat and rudder pedals. “Pilot induced” is the leading cause of accidents, not mechanical failure. But sometimes even mechanical failures can be attributable to aeronautical decision-making, like deciding to trust an aircraft after it has been in maintenance.

Mike Hart

Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Scheduled aircraft maintenance can paradoxically increase the risk of mechanical failures, with studies showing higher rates of unscheduled repairs immediately after work is completed.
Pilots flying aircraft recently out of maintenance must assume the role of a "test pilot," performing exceptionally thorough pre-flight inspections and maintaining heightened vigilance for potential mechanical problems.
Many post-maintenance incidents stem from human error during repairs (e.g., missing parts, improper assembly), underscoring the critical need for pilots to diligently verify all affected systems before flight.

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Let’s get something straight: Aircraft are not falling out of the sky with mechanical failures. Still, it’s just common sense to perform an extensive pre-flight inspection of any aircraft coming out of the maintenance shop. And on at least one level, you might think an aircraft would be more trustworthy after it has undergone an annual or 100-hour inspection, or had a major system repaired by a licensed mechanic. After all, that is the point of regular maintenance, right? But statistics don’t necessarily bear out this thinking. So, the pilots flying post-maintenance test flights need to up their game a bit.