Reporting mechanical irregularities

This regulation establishes two responsibilities for airline pilots in command regarding mechanical problems.

First, if any mechanical irregularities occur during a flight, the pilot in command must ensure they're documented in the aircraft's maintenance log by the end of that flight. This creates an official record so maintenance personnel know what needs attention.

Second, before each flight, the pilot in command must review the maintenance log to check the status of any irregularities that were written up after the previous flight. This means understanding whether issues were fixed, deferred under an approved program, or are still pending—essentially confirming the aircraft is legal and safe to fly.

This two-step process ensures mechanical problems don't get lost in the shuffle between flights and that each new crew is aware of the aircraft's maintenance status before departure. It's a critical communication link between flight crews and maintenance teams.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*