Airframe Mechanic Certification Safety Procedures & Regulatory Compliance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What action must be taken when a mechanic discovers a condition that may make an aircraft unairworthy but is not specifically listed in the maintenance manual?
- Continue the inspection and note the condition in the discrepancy log
- Immediately ground the aircraft and notify the aircraft owner and FAA
- Use engineering judgment to determine if the condition is acceptable
- Refer the condition to an IA or repair station for a determination of airworthiness (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Refer the condition to an IA or repair station for a determination of airworthiness
When a mechanic encounters a condition outside the scope of the maintenance manual, the condition must be referred to an individual authorized to make an airworthiness determination, such as an IA or appropriately rated repair station.
Question 2: According to 14 CFR Part 43.9, which of the following is NOT required in a maintenance record entry?
- Description of work performed
- Date the work was completed
- Name and address of the aircraft owner (Correct answer)
- Signature and certificate number of the person approving the work
Correct answer: Name and address of the aircraft owner
Part 43.9 requires the description of work, the date, and the approving person's signature and certificate number, but does not require the aircraft owner's name and address.
Question 3: A mechanic is working on an aircraft and discovers a previously unknown Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modification. What should the mechanic do before performing any maintenance on the modified system?
- Proceed using standard approved data for the original design
- Remove the STC modification and return the aircraft to original type design
- Obtain and follow the STC holder's approved maintenance instructions (Correct answer)
- Contact the original equipment manufacturer for guidance
Correct answer: Obtain and follow the STC holder's approved maintenance instructions
When an STC modification is present, the mechanic must obtain and follow the STC holder's approved maintenance data, as the standard manufacturer's data may not apply to the modified system.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now called Safety Data Sheet (SDS), required to be on hand in aircraft maintenance facilities?
- To document the cost and procurement source of hazardous materials
- To provide hazard communication information including health effects, safe handling, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- To certify that the material meets aviation-grade specifications
- To serve as proof of purchase for insurance and tax purposes
Correct answer: To provide hazard communication information including health effects, safe handling, and emergency procedures
Safety Data Sheets provide critical hazard communication information including chemical properties, health effects, safe handling procedures, and emergency response guidance.
Question 5: Under 14 CFR Part 91.417, how long must an aircraft owner or operator retain records of inspections and major alterations?
- 1 year or until the inspection is superseded, whichever occurs first
- 2 years from the date of the work performed
- Indefinitely, as part of the permanent aircraft record (Correct answer)
- Until the next inspection of the same type is performed
Correct answer: Indefinitely, as part of the permanent aircraft record
Records of inspections and major alterations must be retained indefinitely as they follow the aircraft and constitute its permanent maintenance history.
Question 6: Which of the following situations requires the filing of a Malfunction or Defect (M&D) Report with the FAA?
- Any part that is removed and replaced during scheduled maintenance
- A failure, malfunction, or defect of a part that has caused or could cause an accident (Correct answer)
- Any unscheduled landing due to weather conditions
- Parts that fail during the warranty period covered by the manufacturer
Correct answer: A failure, malfunction, or defect of a part that has caused or could cause an accident
FAA Form 8010-4 (M&D Report) is required when a part failure, malfunction, or defect has caused or could cause an accident or unsafe condition.
Question 7: When an aircraft is found to have an alteration that is not covered by an STC or FAA Form 337, what is the airworthiness status of that aircraft?
- The aircraft is considered airworthy until the next annual inspection
- The aircraft is unairworthy because the alteration lacks approved data (Correct answer)
- The aircraft may continue to operate if the PIC accepts responsibility
- The alteration is acceptable if it matches a similar approved alteration on another aircraft
Correct answer: The aircraft is unairworthy because the alteration lacks approved data
Any alteration performed without FAA-approved data renders the aircraft unairworthy because there is no regulatory basis to determine the alteration meets airworthiness standards.
Airframe Mechanic Certification Safety Procedures & Regulatory Compliance 5
What action must be taken when a mechanic discovers a condition that may make an aircraft unairworthy but is not specifically listed in the maintenance manual?