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The Pilots Desk
US-FAA14 CFR 91.417

Maintenance records

Read the official rule

In plain English

The owner/operator must keep maintenance records: records of maintenance and inspections (which may be discarded after 1 year or when the work is superseded), and permanent records (total time in service, current AD status, current inspection status, and the status of life-limited parts) that transfer with the aircraft.

Key points

  • Keep both "temporary" work records and permanent status records.
  • Permanent records: time in service, AD compliance, inspection status, life-limited parts.
  • Records transfer with the aircraft on sale.

Common pitfalls

  • Losing AD-compliance history — it can ground a sale or an annual.

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

This is an original plain-English explanation for training and reference, not legal advice and not for navigation. Always rely on the current official rule linked above. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.