We read accident reports involving sudden, catastrophic engine failures and propellers that fling themselves from crankshafts or landing gear that won’t extend and sometimes wake in the wee morning hours wondering if we’re completely foolish to be operating machines that rise up off the ground. Are we completely at the mercy of maintenance technicians who happen to be human and make mistakes?
Um, well, to some extent, yes. There are maintenance errors that do not get caught and lead to mechanical failures at the worst possible time. However, in looking at accident reports, we’ve observed that in a surprising number of situations, a pilot/owner was in a position to catch the mistake before flying, initiated the problem by not having needed maintenance performed, or, uncomfortably, approved maintenance that wasn’t needed and increased the risk of a failure.