M.B.902 Assessment of recommendations

(a)The verification of the recommendation’s content, as required by point M.B.902(b), and the investigations under point M.B.902(c), are not intended to repeat or replace the airworthiness review itself.

(b)During the verification of the recommendation’s content, the competent authority should verify that the CAMO/CAO has carried out a complete and compliant assessment of the airworthiness of the aircraft.

This includes, for example, verifying that:

(1)all required documentation for a recommendation has been provided;

(2)the reasons for issuing the recommendation, instead of an ARC, are justified;

(3)the recommendation contains the information specified in AMC1 M.A.901(b);

(4)any associated findings have been closed;

(5)all required items have been reviewed during the airworthiness review, and that the number of samples checked is appropriate given the risks associated with the particular aircraft;

(6)for cases in which no airworthiness certificate has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, that the content of AMC1 M.A.906 has been taken into account. The content of the recommendation may be verified by a qualified person that is not authorised as airworthiness review staff, provided that that person is competent, appropriately qualified and trained for that task.

(c)The competent authority should conduct sufficient investigations to validate the accuracy of the recommendation. The investigations should be conducted by airworthiness review staff, as specified in point M.B.902(c). The level of investigation required should be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the results of the verification of the recommendation’s content, as outlined in point (b), and the specific risks associated with the aircraft. These may include the aircraft’s operational and maintenance history, the nature and number of findings identified during the airworthiness review, and previous experience with the persons or organisations involved in the continuing airworthiness management and airworthiness review. Therefore, it is recommended, where applicable, that the competent authority involve the person responsible for the oversight of those organisations in the investigation process.

The investigations may vary from a desktop review of the aircraft’s historical records to conducting physical investigation of the aircraft.

In this case, the CAMO/CAO that has issued the recommendation should be informed with sufficient notice, along with the person or organisation that is responsible for managing the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft, if different, to ensure that the conditions outlined in point M.A.901(e) are met, as necessary.

(d)The result of the verification and the investigation of a recommendation should be sent to the applicant within 30 days. If applicable, any findings should be included, along with the corresponding time frame for their correction.

(e)If applicable, the investigations referred to in point M.B.902(c) may be conducted in conjunction with those required for the issuance of the airworthiness certificate, as specified in point 21.B.320(a) of Annex I (Part 21) or point 21L.B.161(c) of Annex Ib (Part 21 Light) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012. The investigations referred to in point M.B.902(c) may be partially or fully reduced if the competent authority participates in the airworthiness review, as specified in point (4) of AMC1 M.A.906.