AIC C 016/2007 - Effective 14 Nov 2007
AIRCRAFT RELEASE TO SERVICE AFTER REPORTED DEFECTS

This AIC is issued as a result of the investigation into a serious incident involving a General Aviation operation. The investigation was conducted by the Cyprus AAIIB. The Department of Civil Aviation would like to re-emphasise the importance of implementing correct operational and maintenance practices during defect reporting, investigation and aircraft release to service.

Aircraft defects must be reported by the pilot in command in writing and entered in the aircraft Log Book. The owner/operator has the responsibility to ensure that the defect is rectified by a maintenance engineer. Any aircraft is considered grounded until such time as outstanding defects are attended and cleared by an appropriately licensed engineer, and the engineer signs the release to service statement in the aircraft Log Book.

Maintenance engineers when carrying out scheduled maintenance or defect rectification must always follow the approved, current and applicable maintenance manuals for the aircraft type. After any flight safety sensitive maintenance task is performed duplicate inspections must be carried out and certified. Only then can the aircraft be released to service.