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his wife and dog into the aircraft, climbed aboard, and off they went. After all, the repair station mechanics already checked the aircraft when they released it back to the line, didn’t they?
The recent fatal crash of a 2012 Piper Meridian on a post-maintenance f light in Olathe, Kansas, reminds us that post- maintenance flights are a serious matter. A thorough preflight inspection is in order anytime the aircraft has been out of your care, especially after any maintenance event. While the scope of such an inspec- tion will be covered in another article, at the minimum, it should include the following:
• A review of the work performed, includ- ing a review of airworthiness paperwork. Going on a test flight in an aircraft lacking
completed airworthiness paperwork may lack valid in-
surance coverage.
• Your visual inspection of the areas worked, preferably
before the shop closes those areas. Look for rags and tools that may have been left behind. Examine fastener and components for security, to uncover cases where a mechanic hand tightened a component and forgot to torque it to spec.
• Conducting a thorough preflight inspection, with an emphasis on security of access panels and anything that may have been left behind, and on critical components such as control surfaces and powerplant.
• Conducting a ground run.
• Conducting a test flight. Naturally, the test flight should
be performed in good VFR weather. In many aircraft, the maintenance manual will call for a post-maintenance
test protocol.
Closing Words
A good way to become more familiar with what to look for during a visual inspection is to spend some time with the inspector or IA at your repair station as they inspect your aircraft during a maintenance event. In most cases, they will be happy to share their knowledge.
Conduct a thorough preflight every time. Expect to find something wrong! By approaching our aircraft with open eyes and a extreme vigilance prior to every flight, we can further reduce the risk of a mechanical failure that may lead to an incident or accident.
Brian Sagi is an airline transport pilot and CFI. He teaches advanced flight and transition training at Enhanced Flight Instruction in San Diego (eflightinstruction.com). An experienced engineer, Brian also holds an A&P certificate with an Inspection Authorization. Contact Brian at brian@ eflightinstruction.com
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July 2022 / TWIN & TURBINE • 13