Presented to:

By:

Date:

Produced by Jay Mason, CFI, AI, MEIFAASTeam Representative

Topic of the MonthFebruary

Advanced Preflight After Maintenance

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Welcome

• Exits• Restrooms• Emergency Evacuation• Breaks • Sponsor Acknowledgment• Other information

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Overview

• A Case Study• Pilots should enhance their checklists after

Maintenance is performed• Knowing what items need to be checked

after maintenance• Check the airplane externally after a run up• Another Case Study

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CESSNA T182T N93CL 12/14/14St. Louis/Cahokia (KCPS)• Post-maintenance test flight

• Recent elevator trim maintenancediscussed by Mechanic & PIC

• Extreme nose-down force shortlyafter takeoff

• PIC notes full up trim. Tries moving trim in the wrongdirection. Nose-down force is reduced. Trim is rigged backward! PIC lands safely.

• Pilot’s and mechanic’s checklists call for checking trim tabfor security and correct movement.

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NTSB Safety Alert – March 2015• The previous case study is cited in : Safety Alert – Pilots:

Perform Advanced Preflight After Maintenance.

• The SA cites four similar incidents, where flight controls operated in reverse.

• In all cases, either the mechanics or pilots involved did not detect the flight control problem.

• Two cases involved serious injury, and one caused a fatality.

• Ask yourself: what additional preflight items might have prevented these incidents and accidents.

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Preflight after maintenance• Know what systems or structures were repaired or

replaced during maintenance--they need special attention• Discuss w/mechanic ALL work that was done

• Don’t assume the part(s) replaced are the ONLY things that were taken apart or affected

• The trim tab likely checked ‘secure’ but it wasn’t the only part of the system affected

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Oil and filter changes• On many models, you cannot check that the oil filter

safety wire, drain plug, etc. are secure without removing the cowling.

• On more complex airplanes, other systems might have to be partially or completely removed for access to the filter(s).

• Consider taking the aircraft out for a run up, then returning to check for oil leaks, loose cowling pieces, or other items that weren’t quite ‘returned to service’.

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Know which items need enhanced checking• Take a look at the aircraft logbooks. - Which items were inspected?

- Which items were replaced?

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FAAST Advanced Preflight M-Pamphlet

• The FIRST THING suggested is to gatherall the aircraft records for a review.

• After maintenance, these records will provide information on what should receive extra attention during the preflight inspection after maintenance.

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Annuals are Special• After an annual inspection, check EVERYTHING with

an eye toward ANYTHING that might seem out of place or abnormal.

• Consider performing a run up, and then taxiing back to your hangar, tiedown, or maintenance facility without flying.

• Bring a pad of paper with you, and use all five senses. If anything feels, smells, looks, or sounds (yes, even if you get an odd taste in your mouth!) make a note of it, and DO NOT FLY the aircraft until you’ve resolved the issue.

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Run up, taxi back, do another preflightThis MAY be your chance to catch something that wasn’t quite right, quite tight, or quite ready for flight. Ask yourself what items might cause an accident if they’re not quite right? Trust your mechanic, but this is your chance to VERIFY that the aircraft is safe & airworthy!

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Never assume….that your aircraft’s switches, radios, fuel amount, or other items are exactly as you left them after maintenance!!

• PIPER AEROSTAR N700PS January 16, 2012

• Left engine failed during takeoff after maintenance.

• Probable cause: left fuel selector in incorrect position (an item on the normal checklist)!

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Want to learn more?

• NTSB Safety Alert – Advanced Preflight After Maintenance

• http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/Documents/SA_041.pdf

• FAA Advanced Preflight M-Pamphlet

• https://www.faasafety.gov/standdown/Content/FAA_M_Pamphlet.pdf

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WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program

Proficiency & Peace of Mind

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Questions?

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Produced by Jay Mason, CFI, AI, MEIFAASTeam Representative

Topic of the MonthFebruary

Advanced Preflight After Maintenance

<Audience>

<Presenter>

< >