FAR 91.405 — Owner Maintenance Responsibilities

FAR 91.405 spells out what every aircraft owner or operator is responsible for when it comes to maintenance. You can't just fly the airplane and assume someone else will keep it legal — the rule puts the duty on you.

Specifically, the owner/operator must:

• Have the aircraft inspected as required by Subpart E of Part 91 (annuals, 100-hours, etc.) and have any discrepancies repaired in accordance with Part 43 between those inspections.
• Ensure maintenance personnel make the proper logbook entries showing the aircraft has been approved for return to service after work is performed.
• For any inoperative instrument or piece of equipment that's allowed to be deferred under § 91.213(d)(2) (the no-MEL deferral process), have it repaired, replaced, removed, or inspected at the next required inspection.
• When listed discrepancies include inoperative instruments or equipment, make sure a placard has been installed as required by § 43.11.

Operationally, this is why your maintenance logs, deferral placards, and return-to-service signoffs all need to be squared away before you fly — the FAA holds you, the operator, accountable.