ML.A.901 Airworthiness review — General

(a)To ensure the validity of the airworthiness certificate, an aircraft shall periodically undergo an airworthiness review in accordance with point ML.A.903.

(b)The satisfactory completion of an airworthiness review shall result in an airworthiness review certificate (ARC) issued in accordance with Appendix IV (EASA Form 15c).

(c)The airworthiness review and the issuance of the ARC shall be performed in accordance with point ML.A.903, by one of the following: (1) the competent authority; (2) an appropriately approved CAO with the privileges specified in point CAO.A.095(c)(1) of Annex Vd or an appropriately approved CAMO with the privileges specified in point CAMO.A.125(e) of Annex Vc; (3) an appropriately approved CAO with the privileges specified in point CAO.A.095(c)(2) of Annex Vd, or a Part-145 organisation with the privileges specified in point 145.A.75(f) of Annex II, while performing the 100-h/annual inspection contained in the AMP; (4) for aircraft operated under Annex VII (Part-NCO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 or, in the case of balloons, not operated under Subpart-ADD of Annex II (Part-BOP) to Regulation (EU) 2018/395 or, in the case of sailplanes, not following Subpart DEC of Annex II (Part-SAO) to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1976, an independent certifying staff while performing the 100-h/annual inspection contained in the AMP, when qualified in accordance with point ML.A.904(c) of this Annex.

(d)When the airworthiness review is carried out by the person or organisation specified in points (c)(2), (c)(3) or (c)(4), the ARC shall be signed by the airworthiness review staff who carried out the airworthiness review.

(e)The person or organisation responsible for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft in accordance with point ML.A.201 shall, upon request and where necessary for those purposes, ensure that the person, organisation or the competent authority carrying out the airworthiness review: (1) has the required aircraft documentation and records; (2) has suitable accommodation at the appropriate location for its personnel; (3) has access to the aircraft; (4) has the assistance of appropriate certifying staff.

(f)By derogation from point ML.A.902(a), the airworthiness review may be carried out 90 days or less before the expiry date of the ARC, without loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern.

(g)The airworthiness review shall not be subcontracted.

(h)An ARC shall not be issued if there is evidence or there are indications that the aircraft is not airworthy.

(i)A copy of any ARC issued or extended for an aircraft shall be sent to the competent authority of the Member State of registry of the aircraft concerned within 10 days of the issuance or extension.

(j)Upon surrender or revocation, the ARC shall be returned to the competent authority of the Member State of registry, when so requested by the respective authority.