ML.A.903 Airworthiness review process

(a)An airworthiness review is a process that comprises all the tasks and activities for evaluating the airworthiness status of an aircraft based on a documented review of the related aircraft continuing airworthiness records and a physical survey.

(b)Through the documented review of the aircraft, the airworthiness review staff shall be satisfied that: (1) the total in-service life accumulated in the applicable parameter of the aircraft, engine(s), propeller(s), life-limited parts and time-controlled components has been properly recorded; (2) the flight manual is applicable to the aircraft configuration and is kept up to date; (3) the maintenance due on the aircraft according to the AMP, as specified in point ML.A.302, has been carried out; (4) known defects have been rectified or, when applicable, deferred in accordance with point ML.A.403; (5) the applicable airworthiness directives and the measures mandated by the competent authority have been complied with and properly entered into the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system; (6) the modifications and repairs applied to the aircraft have been entered into the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system and comply with point ML.A.304; (7) the life-limited parts and time-controlled components installed on the aircraft are properly identified, entered into the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system and have not exceeded their limitation; (8) if applicable, the current mass and balance statement reflects the current configuration of the aircraft and is valid; (9) the aircraft complies with the applicable type design; (10) if issued, the aircraft holds a valid airworthiness certificate in compliance with Section A, Subpart H, of Annex I (Part 21) or, as applicable, Section A, Subpart H, of Annex Ib (Part 21 Light) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012; (11) if issued, the aircraft holds a valid noise certificate corresponding to the current configuration of the aircraft in compliance with Section A, Subpart I, of Annex I (Part 21) or, as applicable, Section A, Subpart I, of Annex Ib (Part 21 Light) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012; (12) maintenance has been released in accordance with any of the following: (i) the applicable requirements of this Regulation, for the period during which the aircraft is within the scope of this Regulation; (ii) the appropriate airworthiness requirements of the State which was responsible for the oversight of the aircraft for the period during which the aircraft was not within the scope of this Regulation. If there is evidence or reason to believe that maintenance in the period referred to in the first paragraph, point (ii), has been inadequate, the airworthiness review staff shall ensure that appropriate actions are taken.

(c)Through the physical survey of the aircraft, the airworthiness review staff shall be satisfied that: (1) the required markings and placards are properly installed and meet the requirements set out in point 21.A.175 of Annex I (Part 21) or, as applicable, point 21L.A.144(a) of Annex Ib (Part 21 Light) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012; (2) the aircraft complies with its approved flight manual; (3) the aircraft configuration complies with the documentation; (4) no evident defect can be found that has not been addressed in accordance with point ML.A.403; (5) no inconsistencies can be found between the aircraft and the documented review of records as referred to in point (b).

(d)For the physical survey, airworthiness review staff not qualified as certifying staff on the specific aircraft subject to the airworthiness review shall be assisted by such qualified personnel.

(e)The airworthiness review shall be planned and carried out in such a manner that the time elapsed between the review of the aircraft continuing airworthiness records and their corresponding verification during physical survey shall be as short as possible.

(f)If for any reason an airworthiness review cannot be completed, the person or organisation carrying out the airworthiness review shall inform the competent authority of the Member State of registry as soon as possible.

(g)The ARC shall not be issued until all actions to eliminate the detected non-compliance have been implemented.

(h)The details and the outcome of an airworthiness review shall be recorded in an airworthiness review report.

(i)The effectiveness of the AMP may be reviewed in conjunction with the airworthiness review in accordance with point ML.A.302(c)(9). That review shall be completed by the person who carried out the airworthiness review. If the review shows deficiencies of the aircraft linked with deficiencies in the content of the AMP, the AMP shall be amended accordingly. The person carrying out the review shall inform the competent authority of the Member State of registry if he or she does not agree with the measures amending the AMP taken by the owner, CAMO or CAO. In such case the competent authority shall decide which amendments to the AMP are necessary, raising the corresponding findings referred to in point ML.B.907 and, if necessary, reacting in accordance with point ML.B.304.