In Plain English
FAR 43.9 tells anyone who maintains, performs preventive maintenance, rebuilds, or alters an aircraft, airframe, engine, propeller, appliance, or component what must go into the maintenance record. As a pilot, this is what lets you verify in the logbooks that work was completed and properly signed off — a key part of determining airworthiness before flight.
For each item of work, the entry must include:
- A description of the work performed (or a reference to data acceptable to the Administrator).
- The date the work was completed.
- The name of the person performing the work, if different from the person approving it.
- The signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work for return to service. That signature only approves the specific work performed.
Major repairs and major alterations require an additional entry on FAA Form 337, handled per Appendix B of Part 43.
This section does not apply to inspections done under Part 91, Part 125, § 135.411(a)(1), or § 135.419 — those inspection entries are governed by FAR 43.11. Air carriers under Part 121/135 with a continuous airworthiness program record maintenance under their own operations specifications.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 43.9§ 43.9 Content, form, and disposition of maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration records (except inspections performed in accordance with part 91, part 125, § 135.411(a)(1), and § 135.419 of this chapter).
(a)Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, each person who maintains, performs preventive maintenance, rebuilds, or alters an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part shall make an entry in the maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:
(1) A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of work performed.
(2) The date of completion of the work performed.
(3) The name of the person performing the work if other than the person specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(4) If the work performed on the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part has been performed satisfactorily, the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work. The signature constitutes the approval for return to service only for the work performed.
(b) Each holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate issued under Part 121 or 135, that is required by its approved operations specifications to provide for a continuous airworthiness maintenance program, shall make a record of the maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration, on aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts which it operates in accordance with the applicable provisions of Part 121 or 135 of this chapter, as appropriate.
(c) This section does not apply to persons performing inspections in accordance with Part 91, 125, § 135.411(a)(1), or § 135.419 of this chapter.
(d) In addition to the entry required by paragraph (a) of this section, major repairs and major alterations shall be entered on a form, and the form disposed of, in the manner prescribed in appendix B, by the person performing the work.
[Amdt. 43-23, 47 FR 41085, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended by Amdt. 43-37, 66 FR 21066, Apr. 27, 2001; Amdt. 43-39, 69 FR 44863, July 27, 2004]