Listen up, my fellow mechanics. How you record maintenance work just got a new focus, thanks to a recent NTSB decision that presents a potential new enforcement danger to your certificate.
A May 11, 2018 decision by the NTSB reinstating the FAA’s emergency revocation of a Part 145 repair station puts a new emphasis on maintenance record entries; specifically, what maintenance personnel choose to leave out of their descriptions of work performed could land them in very hot water. This decision doesn’t affect only repair stations or corporate maintenance providers. It’s clearly applicable to A&Ps, as well. The decision makes clear that intentional falsification can rest on information left out of the description of work performed, so-called shortcuts that many mechanics routinely take in recording maintenance. The case is so recent that it may yet be appealed to a federal court, so the final ruling could change. But in the meantime, the decision stands.
With more than 40 years experience in the aviation industry, The Honorable John Goglia, was the first and only Airframe and Powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He served from August 1995 to June 2004.
As a Board Member, Mr. Goglia distinguished himself in numerous areas of transportation safety. In particular, he was instrumental in raising awareness of airport safety issues, including the importance of airport crash fire and rescue operations and the dangers of wildlife at airports. He played a key role in focusing international attention on the increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation accidents. He pressed, successfully, for greater integration of civilian and military safety information, becoming a featured speaker at national aviation symposiums attended by military leaders and major defense contractors. He is a leading proponent of airplane child safety seats.
Prior to becoming a Board Member, Mr. Goglia held numerous positions in the airline industry. He started as a mechanic for United Airlines and eventually joined Allegheny, which became USAir. Additionally, he was involved for more than 20 years as a union flight safety representative on accident investigation teams. There, he developed a safety program for his union, the International Association of Machinists, and was its representative for NTSB investigations. For twelve years, he operated his own aircraft service company.
Numerous prestigious groups have recognized Mr. Goglia’s contributions to aviation safety. Aviation Week & Space Technology awarded him a coveted 2004 Laurel for his outstanding service as an NTSB Board member. The Society of Automotive Engineers presented him with the Aerospace Chair Award for outstanding leadership in 2003 and the Marvin Whitlock Award for outstanding management accomplishment in 2002.
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