Maintenance Safety Tip - 0911

FAASTeam Maintenance Safety Tip

By Western-Pacific FAASTeam

November 2009

Maintenance Procedures

Were you ever given a maintenance task you felt you couldn’t do by the book because you didn’t have the required tools, supplies, or test equipment? Odds are that you used some kind of unwritten “alternate” method or “work-around” in order to get the task done. We technicians can come up with impressive and innovative ways to get the job done. We often can develop unwritten alternate procedures in order to accomplish that impossible task. But that’s not the way we are supposed to work. You must not deviate from a maintenance procedure, unless you first obtain authorization to do so. The authorization should be in writing and come from an approved or authorized source.

Maintenance manual procedures are developed by the manufacturer and accepted or approved by the FAA. These procedures, when properly accomplished, ensure the aircraft will continue to operate within its designed safety margins. If you deviate from these procedures without an accepted or approved alternate procedure, you made the wrong decision. You committed a human error and this compromises safety . . . and you’re liable. Your actions affect the public confidence in our profession. Be aware that your mistakes can jeopardize the reputation of each and every maintenance professional.

So, be safety conscious when performing maintenance and only use written instructions that are authored by an approved or authorized source. The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to helping you achieve the highest level of safety by providing "tools" and resources to enhance your knowledge and proficiency. For more information on maintenance safety, go to http://faasafety.gov/AMT/pub/mh.aspx. Send your suggestions for improving maintenance safety to AMT@FAASafety.gov.