AC 20-106
AIRCRAFT INSPECTION FOR THE GENERAL
AVIATION AIRCRAFT OWNER . .
~~- . • APRIL 1978 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADM IN ISTRATION flight Standards Service For sale by the Superintendent of Documents , U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402
PREFACE The inspecti ons described in this Aircraft Inspe ction hand book are NOT intended to replace any required insp ection. Rathe r, they are intended to familiarize persons with the techniques generally applicable to aircraft in spections whether they be owners, pilots, stude nt mechanics, or others with aviation inter ests.
The services of an appropriately rated certificated repair station, certifi cated mechani c, or the manufacturer must be utilized for all required inspec tions and whenever any inspection reveals a questionable condition. ''T e emphasize the fact that reliable inspection capability comes only with ex perience, and the use of this handbook does NOT qualify an individua l to make final airworthiness determinations.
PART I-INSPECTION FUNDAMENTALS Inspection requirements, owner's responsibilities, inspection time inter vals, and sources of basic information are discussed in Part I.
PART II-INSPECTION TECHNIQUES The general techniques used to inspect an t>.ircraft are discussed in Part IT.
To facilitat e reference, in the explanation of important inspection pro cesses, arrows appear on many of the illustration $. These indicate either the item or the general area to which the tex t refers.
Numerous illustrations are used to convey informat ion to the reader in the most clear, graphic, and effective manner.
Acknowledgment of cooperation is extended to the following:
Beech Aircraf t Corporation Cessna Aircraft Company Cessna Aircraft Company Aircraft Radio and Cont rol Division Edo Corporation Piper Aircraft Corporation Rockwell International (Rockwell Commander Aircraft) The Bendix Corporation Electric /Fluid Power Division The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company This publication cancels the Personal Aircraft Inspection Handbook, AC 20-9, published in 1964. Suggest ions for revision and improvement of this handbook are encouraged and may be forwarded to Dep artme nt of Transpor tation, Feder al Aviation Administration, Flight Standards National Field Office, AFS-5 00, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125.
i
AIRCRAFT INSPECTION FOR THE GENERAL
AVIATION AIRCRAFT OWNER Contents Page Preface -------------- ---- --- ------ ------ --- ------ ---- ------ --- --- i Part I. Inspection Fundamentals - ---------------------------------- 1 Section 1. The Inspection Process ------- ----- ----- ---- ------- 1 Section 2. Prev entive Maintenance --------------------------- 4 Section 3. The F orces o:f Attrition ----- ----- - ----------- --- --- 7 Section 4. Inspection Do's and Don'ts --- ------- ------ ------- - 14 Part II. Inspection Techniques __ ________.,:__________________________ 15 Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Section 6.
Section 7.
Section 8.
Section 9.
Fus elage ------------------------------------------ 15 Cabin-Cockpit - ---- ------- -------------- ---------- 21 Engine Nacelle------ ------- -------- - ----- ------ --- 27 Landing Gear--- --- ------ --- ------ ----- ---- -- ----- 42 Wing-Center Section --- -- ---- - ---------- ---- ---- -- 53 Empennage --- - --- ------- --------- --- ------ ------- 61 Pr~peller ------------------------ - ----- ----- ----- - 66 Radio - --- ---- ----- ---- ------- ---- ---------- --- --- 71 Miscellaneous --- --------------------------- - --- --- 75 Section 10. Preflight Inspection - ------- -------- - ------ - --- ---- 77 Section 11. After Storage - - --- -------- -------- ----- ------ ----- 80 APPENDIX A.
APPENDIX B.
APPENDIX C.
APPENDIX D.
Figure General Safety Precautions --- --- ---- -- ---- ------ 81 Aviation Fuel-Identification and Fueling Proce dures - ------ - --------- ------- .- --- -------- ------ 83 Certificate of Registration-Aircraft Eligibility and Application - - - --- ------ ----- ----- -------- - --- -- 85 Certificate of Airworthiness-:..General Information 87 List of Illustrations PART I. Inspection fundamentals Page I-1. Five stresses acting on aircraft ----- ----- ------------- --- ---- 10 Part II. Inspection Techniques Section 1.
1-1. Inspection chart-fuselage --------- --------- -- -- ----- ---- --- 15
1-2. Cracked fuselage structure ------ ------------- ----- ---- --- --- 16 1---3. Cracked former --- ---- --- ----- ------- ------- --- --- ---- - ---- 16
1-4. Distorted fuselage skin --- ---------------------------------- 16
1-5. Deteriorated fuselage :fabric ---- --- - - ------- - - -- -------- - --- 16 111
Figure Page
1-6. External wing bracing attachment checkpoints -------------- 16
1-7. Proper cable routing -------------------------------------- 17
1-8. Improper cable routing - ----------------------------------- 17
1-9. Proper routing of electrical wiring ------------------------- 17
1-10. Improper routing of electrical wiring ----------------------- 18
1-11. Leakage from chafed hydraulic line ------------------------ 18
1-12. Draining fuel tank sump ---------------------------------- 18
1-13. Doorlock checkpoints-------------------------------------- 19
1-14. Emergency exit checkpoints ------- - ----------------------- 19
1-15. Interior aft fu selage (light twin) --------------------------- 20 Section 2.
2--1. Inspection chart-cockpit ------------------------------------ 21
2-2. Inspection chart-cabin - ------------------------------------- 22 2--3. Operational check-fuel tank selector valve ------------------ 22 2--4. Circuit breaker and fuse panel ------------------------------ 23 2--5. Check quantit y hydraulic fluid -------------------------- --- - 23
2-6. Instrumen t panel ---------------- --- ----------------------- 24 2--7. Bellcrank checkpo ints -------- ------ ---------------- ------ -- 24 2--8. Cable rubbing bulkhead - - ---- --- ----------------- --- ------- 24 2--9. Gustlock ---..----------- - ---------------------------------- 25
2-10. Frayed safety belt ----------------------------------------- 25
2-11. Safety harness --------------------------------------------- 25
2-12. Inspection items on seat ---------------------------------- - - 25 Section 3.
3-1. Inspection chart~ngine and nacelle ------------------------ 27
3-2. Inspection chart~ngine ------------ ----------------------- 28
3-3. Fuel strainer checkpoin ts ---------------------------- ------ - 29
3-4. Carburetor inspection points -------------------------------- 29
3-5. Carburetor air filters --------------------------------------- 30
3-6. Intake manifold checkpoint s -------------------------------- 30
3-7. Oil tank inspect ion ----------------------------------------- 30
3-8. Oil quantity check -------- --------- ----------------------- - 31
3-9. Satisfactory oil line installation ---------------- ---------- - - - 31
3-10. Unsatisfactory oil line installation -------------------------- 31
3-11. Oil-cooler checkpoints -------------------------------------- 32
3-12. Checking sparkplug torque --------------------------------- 32
3-13. Unsatisfactory sparkplug cigarette -------------------------- 33
3-14. Igniter plug-gas turbine engine ---------------------------- 33
3-15. Exhaust manif old checkpoints ------------------------------ 33
3-16. Exhaust stack damage - ------------------------------------ 34
3-17. Heat exchanger-shroud removed ---------------------------- 35
3-18. Cowl flap checkpoints --------- ----------------------------- 36
3-19. Engine baffies ---------------------------------------------- 37
3-20. Engine mount checkpoin ts ---------------------------------- 37
3-21. Cracked engine mount ----- --- ---- - --------------- - - - - ----- - 37
3-22. Checking starter security ----------------------- ----- ------- 38
3-23. Inspect cowling for damage -------------------------------- 39
3-24. Damaged cowling ------------------------------------------ 38 iv
Figure Page
3-25. Rep aired cowling ------------------------------------------ 39 3--26. Cowling installation checkpoint s ---------------------------- 40
3-27. E vidence of chafing ---------------------------------------- 41
3-28. Battery installation checkpoints ---- - --- --------------------- 41 Section 4.
4-1. Example s of tire defects ------ - ----- -- --- ---- --------------- 42 4--2.. Tire prot ected by d:rip pan --------------- - ------------------ 42
4-3. Multiple disc-type brake'------------------------------------ 43
4-4. Shoe and drum-type brake----,--------------------,---------- 43
4-5. Expander block-type brak e --------------------------------- 43 4--6. Disc brake inspection points -------------------------------- 43
4-7. \Yheel and brake inspection points -------------------------- 44
4-8. Hydraulic brake line checkpoints -------------------- -- --- - -- 44
4-9. Simple master cylinder brake systems ------------- --- ----- - -- 44
4-10. Cockpit-hydraulic brake line checkpoint s -------------------- 44 4-11 . Wbeel checkpoints - --- --- ----- ----- -------- ------ - - ------- - 45 4--12. Inspection chart-fixed landing- gear -------- ---- - --- -- -------- 45
4-13. Fixed nose ~ear checkpoints ------------ --- --------------- -- 46 4--14. Oleo-type landing gear checkpoints -------------------------- 46
4-15. Steerable tailwheel inspection points ------------------------ 47 4-16 . Inspection chart-retractable landing gear ----------------- - -- 48
4-17. Retrac table main gear checkpoints -------- --- -- - ------------ 47 4--18. Landing gear retracting - ----- --- --- ----- ----- ---------- - --- 49 4--19. Retractable nose gear checkpoints --- --- ----- - - -- -- - ------ - -- 50 4-20 . Retractin g mechanism checkpoint s - - --- --- ------ --- ------ --- 50
4-21. Typical electrical retraction installation ---- - ---- ----- ----- --- 50 4--22. Electrical retracting motor and wiring ---- ----- ----- ----- --- 51
4-23. \Varning microswitch installation - --- --- -------- ------------- 51
4-24. Gear attachment structure checkpoints --- - ---- - ---------- --- 51 4--25. Float installation inspection points - - - --- - ---- - - ---- ----- ---- 51 4--26. Ski installation inspection points - --- - ---- --- ---- - -- ----- - --- 52 Section 5.
5-1 . Inspection chart-win g-center section - - ---------- - - --- -------- 53
5-2. Indication of defective fabric------- ------ - -------------- - -- 54
5-3. \Vood structure inspection points-- --- ------ -- - --- ----------- 54
5-4. Metal structure inspection points --- - - --- - -- -------------- -- - 55
5-5. Lighting damage-flap, lo,ver surface ----- ------- - ---- ----- - -- 56
5-6. Control bellcrank checkpoints ----- -- ---- ----- ----------- -- -- 55
5-7. Fuel tank vent ----- - -- --- ---------- -------- - - ------ - ------- 57
5-8. Fuel cap, vent, and placard---- - -------- ----- - ----------- -- 57
5-9. Pitot mast, airspeed ------ - ------- ------ --- --------- ------ - 58
5-10. Electrical wiring, proper routing ---- - -------------- - ---- -- - 58
5-11. Satisfactory leading edge of wing --------- ----- ---- ----- --- 58
5-12. Dented leading edge of wing -------- --- ------ --- ----------- 59
5-13. Damaged landing light lens --- ----- - --------------- ------ - 60
5-14. Deicer boot damage ------ - - ----- ------ -------- - - ------- --- 60
5-15. Block type gust lock ----- - ---- ------------- --- - -------- ---- 60 v
Figur e Page Section 6.
6-1. Inspection chart--empennage ------------------------------ 61
6-2. Oilcanning of metal skin ---- - ----------------- - ----------- 62
6-3. External bracing checkpoints --------------- -- ------------- 63
6-4. Rudder checkpoint s _----- ----'------- - -- ------------------- 63 646-5. Rudder quadrant . - ---------- - -----------------------------Stabilizer adjuster checkpoints _________.;.____________________6-6. 65
6-7. Position light checkpo ints _____ ----------------------------- 65 Section 7.
7-1. Inspection chart-propeller--------------------------------- 66
7-2. Damaged metal blade ---- --- ------- --- ------ -- ------- - ----- 66
7-3. Three-blade prop eller checkpoints------------- - ---------- - -- 67
7-4. Propeller tip dama ge ----- - -------------------------------- 68
7-5. ·wood propeller blade-crack ed and separated lamination ------ 68
7-6. Propeller governor checkpoints ------------- ~-- ------- -- ---- 69
7-7. Propeller spinner checkpo int s ------------------------------- 69 7--8. Propeller liqui d anti-icing system checkpoints----------.,.----- 70
7-9. Propeller electrical deicing system checkpoints---------------- 70 Section 8.
8-1. Inspection chart-rad io ------------------------------------ 71
8-2. Communication / navigation equ ipment installation checkpoints _ 71
8-3. Bonding radio equipment to shock mount --- -- - ------- -- ----- 72
8-4. Communi catio n/ navigation equ ipmen t shock moun t ---- --- ---- 72
8-5. Typical communication / navigation equipment cont rol --- --- - -- 72
8-6. Antenna insta llations checkpoints ---- ----- --- ---- ----- --- - -- 73
8-7. ADF antenna-internal loop-tail mount - -- - ---- ------ ----- --- 73 8--8. ADF antenna-fixed loop -- ------ --- -- - --- -- - ------ ---- ---- 73
8-9. Bondin g wires and trailing edge static wicks - -- ------- ------- 74 Section 9.
9-1. Rotating beacon installation --- - ----- ---- - - ----------------- 75
9-2. Autopilot control panel---- --- ----- ---- ------- ----- ---- - - - -- 75
9-3. Emergency locator transmitter-remote mount -- --------- -- -- 75
9-4. Emergency locator transmitter-portable mount ---------- - -- - 76 Section 10.
10-1. Inspection chart-pr eflight 77 Section 11.
11-1 . Bird's nest --- ------------- --- - ----- ---- ----------- --- - ---- 80
Part I. INSPECTION FUNDAMENTALS Section 1. THE INSPECTION PROCESS The Required Aircraft Inspections The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) require the inspection of all civil aircraft at specific intervals, to assure that the aircraft's condition is equal to its original or properly altered condition with regard to aerodynamic function, str:uctural strength, and resistance to vibration.
Inspection interval requirements are estab lished considering the purpose for which the aircraft is used and its operating environment.
Some aircraft must be inspected each 100 hours of time in service while others must be in spected only once each 12 calendar months.
The 100-hour and annual inspections require complete inspection of the aircraft at one time and a certification as to its airworthiness.
Some airplane s may be inspected in accordance with a progres sive inspection (FAR 91.171) or an approved inspection program (FAR 91.217) wherein portions of the aircraft are inspected according to a predetermined schedule.
The inspection requirements for aircraft, in various types of operation, are stated in FAR 91, Section s 91.169, 91.171, or Subpart D of FAR 91. The latter prescribes an inspection program for large and turbine-powered multi engine airplanes (turbojet and turboprop). If you are concerned with the inspection of a large airplane (over 12,500 pounds) or a turbo jet or turbopropel~er-powered multiengine air plane, you should determine the inspection requirements for that specific airplane.
The information contained in Section I of this handbook may not be directly applicable to these larger type airplanes, but the inspec tion techniques will be similar.
FAR 91-General Operating and Flight Rules.
Subpart C of Part 91 prescribes rules gov erning the maintenance, preventive mainte nance, and alteration o£ U.S. registered civil aircraft operated within or outside the United States. (Inspection is part of maintenance.)
FAR 43-Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration, prescribes rules gov erning the maintenance, preventive mainte nance, rebuilding, and alteration of aircraft as well as standards for their performance.
Inspection.
Inspection is the critical visual exammmg, testing, measuring, and functional checking re quired to determine the airworthiness of the items being inspected.
NOTE; As n!('ntioned in the pref ace, the serv ices of a certificated repair station, certificated mecha nic, or the manufacturer must be utilized for all required inspection s and whenever any inspection reveals a questionable condition .
Scope of Inspections.
Aircraft inspection may range from a casual "walk-around" to a detailed inspection involv ing complete disassembly and the use of com plex inspection aids. The inspections des_cribed in this advisory circular can be made without disturbing the assembly of the aircraft except for the removal of inspection access covers, fairings, and removable cowlings.
The Habit of Inspection.
Tlie inspection of your aircraft should be come a habit. To establi sh the habit, begin by performing preflight inspections and work up to detailed inspections. USE the MANUF AC TURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS and this handbook as a guide. Develop a system of 1 319-4 70 0 - 80 - 2
inspection and use. an inspection checklist that covers the complete aircraft. Once adopted, you should not deviate from the procedure.
After completing a few inspections you will be surprised at how familiar you will be with your aircraft.
Inspection Intervals and Systems.
Federal Aviation Regulations require inspec tion of aircraft at specific intervals and that they be approved for return to service by cer tificated and appropriately rated personnel.
The purpose of this handbook is to familiarize interested persons with general inspection tech niques and to assist pilots and owners in estab lishing an inspection program which will supplement but NOT replace the required inspections.
The interval of your inspection should be adjusted to provide the greatest value to you considering your aircraft use and the required inspections; e.g., if you are required to have 100-hour inspections, you might want to in spect the aircraft each 25 and 50 hours. If you are required to have only annual inspections, you may wish to inspect the aircraft each 50 to 100 hours of operation. The manufacturer's service instructions will be valuable in estab lishing these intervals.
Historically, inspection intervals have been established on the basis of flying hours. How ever, if utilization is low and flying is done over the weekends, you may find it advisable to inspect a small group of items each weekend.
This will spread your inspection over a period of time and reduce large demands on your time. Here are some examples of types of inspection intervals :
By hours:
Daily preflight inspection Powerplant (including propeller and engine controls)-every 25 hours Flight control systems-every 25 hours Landing gear-every" 50 hours Cabin or cockpit-every 75 hours Covering (fabric or metal)-every 100 l1ours Fuselage interior-every 100 hours, etc.
By calendar weeks (eight-week cycle) :
Daily preflight inspection (including propel· ler and engine controls) Powerplant-first and fifth weekend Flight control system-second and sixth weekend Landing gear-third and seventh weekend Cabin or cockpit-fomth and eighth week end Covering (fabric or metal)-eighth weekend Fuselage interior-eighth weekend This weekly inspection schedule will provide a complete aircraft inspection every eight weeks. You may wish to extend or shorten this inspection cycle.
In some cases, it may be convenient to estab lish a combination of both methods. Regard- .
less of the method chosen, adhere to it faithfully. Do not assume that an item is in good condition. Make a personal inspection each time an inspection is due, according to your plan . There are many inspection items;
each of which is essential.
"When developing an inspection schedule for your aircraft, 'consideration should be given to climatic conditions, frequency and type of flight operation conducted, contemplated pe riods of inactivity, and type of storage facili ties. A thorough review of the aircraft manufacturer's service instructions will provide many helpful suggestions on inspections. Most manufacturers provide an inspection schedule for their aircraft which can be segmented as you desire. The information in this handbook will not tell you WHEN to inspect. It will suggest WHAT should be inspected and HOW and WHERE to look for possible defects.
Be sure your plans include the time neces sary to regularly inspect your aircraft. If such time cannot be included 'in your plans, then you should have it done by certificated personnel.
"'When you have inspections conducted by a professional, whether they are required or sup plemental in nature, you should specify exactly what inspection is to be accomplished and re quire the person conducting the inspection to furnish a written statement of the results.
Aircraft Logs.
"Logst as commonly used, is an inclusive term which applies to the aircraft record "books/' and to all supplemental records con cerning the aircraft. These logs and records provide a history of maintenance and opera tion, a control for inspection schedules, data needed to properly accomplish time replace ments of components or accessories, and a record of Airworthiness Directive compliance.
Most Airworthiness Directive compliance is based on aircraft time-in-service, and it is a regulatory requirement that records be kept up-to-date.
Tools of Inspection.
The tools of inspection are many and varied.
They range from a pocket-sized magnifying glass to a complex X-ray machine. The tools required to make a simple inspection, of the type which may be performed by the aircraft owner, are inexpensive and readily available.
The following list is typical:
eight or ten-power magnifying glass inspection mirror flashlight small wire brush dull-bladed knife round bristle brush and cleaning fluid (use caution when selecting cleaning fluids) hydrometer some rags small kit of common handtools (screwdriver, end wrenches, diagonal cutters, etc.)
skid-proof stepladder and wheel jacks
REMEMBER If defects are noted or suspected, have a detailed inspection done by a certificated repair station or certificated mechanic.
Section 2. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE Preventive maintenance means simple preser vation and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assemblies. It is corrective action taken before it becomes neces sary to make more complex repairs. The following preventive maintenance may be ac com:plished by a certificated pilot, who is the owner or operator of an aircraft, not used in . . .a1r earner serv1ce.
This list comes from FAR 43, Appendix A , Major Alterations, Major Eepairs, and Preven tive Maintenance, paragraph (c). It reads as follows:
" (c) Preventive maintenance. \Vork of the following type is preventive maintenance:
(1) Removal, installation, and repair of landing gear tires.
(2) Replacing elastic shock absorber cords on landing gear.
(3) Servicing landing gear shock struts by adding oil, air, or both.
(4) Servicing landing gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing.
(5) Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys.
(6) Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings.
(7) Making simple fabric patches not re quiring rib stitching or the removal of structural parts or control surfaces.
(8) Replenishing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir.
(9) Refinishing decorative coating of fuse lage, wings, tail group surfaces (ex cluding balanced control surfaces), fairings, cowling, landing gear, cabin, or cockpit interior when removal or dis assembly of any primary structure or operating system is not required.
(10) Applying preservative or protective material to components where no dis assembly of any primary structure or operating system is involved and where such coating is not prohibited or is not contrary to good practices.
(11) Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin or cockpit in terior when the repairing does not re quire disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or inter fere with an operating system or affect primary structure of the aircraft.
(12) Making small simple repairs to fair ings, nonstructural cover plates, cowl ings , and small patches and reinforce ments not changing the contour so as to interfere with proper airflow.
(13) Replacing side windows where ,that work does not interfere with the struc ture or any operating system such as controls, electrical equipment, etc.
(14) Replacing safety belts.
(15) Replacing seats or seat parts with re placement parts approved for the air craft, not involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system.
(16) Troubleshooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits.
(17) Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights.
(18) Replacing wheels and skis where no weight and balance computation is in volved.
(19) Replacing any cowling not requmng removal of the propeller or disconnec tion of flight controls.
(20) Replacing or cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance .
(21) Replacing any hose connection except hydraulic connections.
(22) Replacing prefabricated fuelline!i .
(23) Cleaning fuel and oil strainers .
(24) Replacing batteries and checking fluid level and specific gravity .
(25) Removing and installing glider wings and tail surfaces that are specifically designed for quick removal and instal lation and when such removal and in stallation can be accomplished by the pilot."
Technical data for use in performing preven tive maintenance may be found in the manu facturers' manua ls. General data on aircraft maintenance may be obtained from the follow ing Advisory Circulars (AC) published by the FAA. All are available from the Superin tendent of Documents (Supt. Docs.) and should be ordered by the stock numbers (SN) listed after each AC.
AC 65-9A , Airframe and Powerplant Meclt.an ics General Handbook, is designed as a study manual for persons preparing for a mechanic certificate with airfram e or powerplant ratings .
Empha sis in this volume is on theory and methods of application. It is intended to pro vide basic information about principle s and fundamentals common to both the airframe · and powerplant ratings. (S~ 050- 007-00379.
0.)
AC 65-J2A, Airframe and Powerplant Me chanics Powerplant Handbook, is designed to familiarize student mechanics with the con struction, theory of repair, operation, and maintenance of aircraft powerplant s and pro peller s. (SN 050-007-00373-1.)
AC 65-J SA, Airframe and Powerp#ant Me chanics Airframe Handbook, is designed to fa miliari ze student mechani cs with construction, theory of repair, opera tions, and maintenance of airframe and airframe systems. (SN 050-007-00391-9.)
Advi sory circulars are available either free from F A.A. or sold by the Superintendent of Documents. The source, ordering instruction s, and current pri ces are listed in t he FAA Ad visory Circular Checklist, AC 00- 2. The checklist should be consulted for curren t infor mation before placing any orders. (A refer ence copy is available at any FAA office or GPO Booksto re.) · The checklist is published three times a year and is available free from Department of Transportation , Publication s Section, ~1-443.1, Washington, D.C. 20590.
The Status of Federal Aviation Regulations, AC 00-44 , is issued as changes require anrl is also availab le free from ·the abo\·e addr ess.
Nlalfuncfion or De#ecl Reports (FAA Form 8330-2) are provided free of c harge and with retum postage paid by the F A.A. They are normally preaddressed when prov ided, and are a convenient means of ensuring that data, re quired to make the repo1;t meaningful, is in cluded.
These reports are a means by which the aviation community may interchang e service information since the data received on the re ports is published in numer ous FAA publica tions, available free or on a s ubscription basis.
Malfunction or Defect Report s are also a data SOUJ:<!e used b y the FAA in monitoring the service reliability of a eronautic al products .
'Vhen trends are noted which indicate possible problem areas, the FAA may alert the aviation community or initiate studie s to determ ine the extent and exact nature of the problem.
All aircraft owners, pilots, mechanics, and non-certificated maintenance facilities are in vited to participate in the program by submit ting M or D ·. Reports whenever they become aware of items that may be of interest to others.
The M or D Reports, FAA Form 8330- 2, may be obtained from most airport managers, main tenance facilities, or any FAA District Offic~.
If you have had an experien ce you wish to share, includ e in the report all information available; how the occurren ce became apparent, describe the malfunction , and include model numbers, part number s, and serial numbers .
Parts may be submitted with the report by special arrangement. Pictures, sketches, or snapshots are especially desirable. Include identification . data such as make, model, and assembly name as an attachment rather than printing on the photograph. H you have any questions, or need any help, you~· local FAA District Office will gladly assist you.
The success of the program depends entirely on participation hy the aviation public. If you have comments about the program or have a special experience or a "v,·ould. you believe this'' situation, send them to Federal Aviation Ad ministration, Flight Standanls X ational Field Office, Safety Data Branch~ _\.FS-580, P.O.
Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125, 6