FAR 43.2 — Overhaul and Rebuild Records
FAR 43.2 defines what 'overhauled' and 'rebuilt' mean in maintenance records. Learn the disassembly, inspection, and testing standards required for each.
FAR 43.2 controls when a mechanic can describe an aircraft, engine, propeller, appliance, or component as overhauled or rebuilt in maintenance records. The two terms are not interchangeable — they have specific regulatory meanings.
To log an item as overhauled, it must be:
- Disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, and reassembled using methods acceptable to the Administrator
- Tested per approved standards or current technical data developed by the type certificate holder (or STC/PMA holder under Part 21)
To log an item as rebuilt, the standard is higher. The item must be disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, reassembled, and tested to the same tolerances and limits as a new item, using either new parts or used parts that conform to new-part tolerances or to approved oversized/undersized dimensions.
Why it matters: a rebuilt engine effectively gets a zero-time logbook (only the manufacturer or its agent can rebuild under FAR 43.3), while an overhauled engine retains its total time. As a pilot, knowing the difference helps you correctly interpret aircraft logs during a prebuy or airworthiness review.