Maintenace Records

[NightWolf]

Just a question that I had on my mind; When you buy a plane it comes with maintainace records from the birth of that plane from the manufacture to the present owner. If the original copies to the maintenace logs of the aircraft were lost and the back up copies did not fully cover the full sequential timeline of the aircraft. Does the aircraft looses any value if I want to sell it to another client?

Thanks in advance I was just wondering.

Regards;
NightWolf

[Saint Jack]

It most certainly does, and a lot of money. If too much historical information is missing, particularly regarding the lifed items, all you'll have is a rather elaborate paper-weight.

Yes, it MAY be possible to rectify this situation by replacing/re-doing, but remember that this will require liaison with your regulator and the cost MAY exceed the value of the aircraft

Be aware that some unscrupulous individuals - and companies - will deliberately lose records to hide, for example, a major rebuild after an accident.

[jxk]

maintenance logs

It kinda depends on what you mean by maintenance logs IF you mean a MO work packs it's a different matter. Providing the aircraft log books exist and have had all the information regarding SIDs, ADs and repairs properly annotated then it shouldn't be a problem. I believe that owners are entitled to a copy of the work packs but not people seem to want them and again I believe that they can be destroyed after 2 years by the MO if they so desire. So, it's the log books which you should have and they form part of the value of the aircraft; make sure they don't get lost because it's very difficult to get them resurrected.

[Chopper OZ]

You won't get a Certificate of Airworthiness if your changing countries of registration. Not maintaining full record keeping and archiving of documents whilst continuing to operate the aircraft is also an offense and carries big penalties.

Any such aircraft is good for putting on a pole ot the front of the local flying club!

[NightWolf]

Thanks a lot for the information. I have a better understanding now

[HAWK21M]

Without the original docs,its almost impossible to prove the record of the Aircraft.....Regulatory will warrant all checks to restore Airworthiness to original state that is reflected in the available docs.

[DC3freightdog]

There are maybe reasons why records are missing. Maybe the aircraft had an accident? Unless the history can be documented it is very risky and expensive to get an aircraft without complete records. However if you are very familiar the the make and model you can do a pre purchase inspection and access the condition of the aircraft.

[jettison valve]

eeerrrhhh - maintenance records "back to birth"?

EASA requires the following:

M.A.614 Maintenance records
...
(c) The approved maintenance organisation shall retain a copy of all maintenance records and any associated maintenance data for three years from the date the aircraft or aircraft component to which the work relates was released from the approved maintenance organisation.

I wouldnīt want to see ALL maintenance records of a 40 years old DC-9...?!

Regards, J.V.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

I think that refers to only a maintenance organisation and not the airline.

[Rigga]

It is usual, for aircraft being transferred to new owners/countries, that the "Logs" for the whole life of the aircraft are handed over. This may or may not include the original or previous engines as, if they have been sold or exchanged, they may well be on another aircraft. References to previous engines/components will be logged in the airframe log too (or they should be!)
In addition to AD's, Mods, etc. Installed Life-Limited component Forms 1 and perhaps Form 1 evidence of component changes for the previous 2-4 years WILL be required by the recipients owner/national register. The buyer is entitled to the originals of any or all documents they require, the seller normally retains copies of the docs handed over. The buyer may also require evidence of all the last AMP actions and a forecast of when they are next due. Whether they still have the aircraft or not, most aircraft owners tend to retain copies of all their maintenance/operational/load records in case there is some need to prove/disprove previous actions.

In any case, "Owners/Operators" are mandated (under part M) to retain records in their keep until 3 years after the permanent withdrawal from service of that aircraft/engine/component. Whether it be in their current fleet or not. Maintenance companies may dispose of their records after the three year period already stated.

Old aircraft may have "Gaps" in their history (most DC piston aircraft did not record years of their early history - there was no need to then!) The trick is knowing whether it is an important gap or not...

[jettison valve]

I hate to say it, but you - ASFKAP, Rigga, and Mr @ Spotty M - are right.
I just checked Part M (M.A.306 (c))... "... 36 months after the date of the last entry".

Apparently, I am too much involved with Part 145 (at least, thatīs what Operator Engineers have told me before...).


Thanks, guys!

Cheers, J.V.