Annual Inspection Paperwork

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Kevin Eggert

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Quick question...

Is there any paperwork filed with the FAA (or anywhere else) to record the annual inspection of an aircraft? I'm just curious if the log books of the aircraft are the only place other than maybe a copy kept by the A&P mechanic where this record exists.
 
Nothing is sent to the FAA. Records are pretty much exclusively in the logbooks, some A&Ps who use printed stickers will keep digital copies of those. And repair stations have their own different record keeping rules.
 
Keeping your log books safe is the key.
 
Kevin Eggert said:
Is there any paperwork filed with the FAA (or anywhere else) to record the annual inspection of an aircraft?
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As mentioned, no. The only entries are usually in the maintenance record of the aircraft. Is there something specific you're looking for?
 
At one time FAA Form 8320-3 was used to record Annual Inspections.

Original to owner, carbon copy to IA.

I always hated typing on Carbon Paper forms..My frequent mistakes are a

pia to correct.

Some FSDO’s require IA’s that are using “ 4 Annuals/year “ to renew the

credential to report the info on aircraft used. Most IA’s interpret this as

data on the aircraft used for renewal basis. Not all the aircraft inspected

during the Renewal Period.


Neither of the 2 mentioned would provide any data other than Owner,

Date and hours and Airworthy or not. So what is it you are looking for?
 
Ever since one of the annuals I did, the owner lost all the log books of his aircraft I have been taking digital pictures of all the log books and keep them in case this happens again. It does take some time but should it happen again to someone that I recorded all the log books for I am sure they will appreciate what I have done. In case you want to know how much someone charged to reconstruct the lost log books another IA charged him $10K to do all the paperwork on a twin, and the value of the aircraft went down, and down a lot.
 
Rather than you (Brien) do the copying it seems it would be better to encourage the owner to do so. I often copy my entry but rarely anything else. A concern here is you have to take possession of the logs to do all this. What I do copy is AD Status and previous Annual. If I need anything else I’ll ask the owner to send it. But entire logs , no way.

“You have them” and “I gave them back” are phrases often used with lost logs. One guy said I must have his after punching a hole in a wall in frustration. I reminded him my last inspection was about 3 years earlier so
do how did he get it inspected? After we reconstructed the logs the originals
finally turned up, where he had left them

It is an issue with Flight Schools and Flight Tests. Many aircraft have multiple logs and DPE’s will not accept copies. Allowing student to take
Only required records is a good practice.

Putting N number on engine log covers can help if that log gets mixed with another aircraft’s records.
 
This aircraft's mechanic produces a new updated spreadsheet each year like this one. There's enough information here to help reconstruct lost Aircraft Records. There's another page that has things like Tires, Spark plugs, brakes, vacuum system components, avionics backup batteries and many other items. Just change the Date and Tach time at the top and everything is updated. He also shares the electronic copy. :cool:
 

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Klaus M said:
This aircraft's mechanic produces a new updated spreadsheet each year like this one. There's enough information here to help reconstruct lost Aircraft Records. There's another page that has things like Tires, Spark plugs, brakes, vacuum system components, avionics backup batteries and many other items. Just change the Date and Tach time at the top and everything is updated. He also shares the electronic copy. :cool:
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Yes, I've seen a number of mechanics providing AD/recurring compliance lists like this one.
 
My question was more geared towards verification of an annual. I was looking at an airplane that was out of annual for about 15 years, but has a recent annual from an independent A&P that I can't get in touch with and that isn't affiliated with any FBO or airport based repair shop that I can find. I never fully trust any seller, so just wanted to see if there was some way to verify that the last annual to get the plane current was actually legitimate. I don't want to waste time and money with a prebuy before finding out about this first. If it's not legit, I won't even bother moving forward. I have to wonder how rampant illegitimate logbook entries actually are.
 
Kevin Eggert said:
My question was more geared towards verification of an annual. I was looking at an airplane that was out of annual for about 15 years, but has a recent annual from an independent A&P
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If there is a signed entry in the aircraft record indicating an annual has been complied as required by Part 43.11, then technically the aircraft meets the requirement of Part 91.409(a). There would be no other record of that unless the performing mechanic kept a copy.

Now if that mechanic did not properly perform that annual inspection per Part 43, then that is a separate matter and violation. And is something any experienced mechanic could determine within reason especially if the aircraft has been out of annual for 15 years.

Klaus M said:
There's enough information here to help reconstruct lost Aircraft Records.
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Definitely a good start. However, when it comes to reconstructing the AD record the guidance shows without the method of compliance and the mechanics signature, a record like in your example is of limited use. Unfortunately, rebuilding an AD record is usually one of the most expensive parts in reconstructing aircraft records.
 
You could contact the local FSDO to the airplane. They could give you contact info for the IA.

I'd have no issues calling and explaining that you are in the process of purchasing a plane that this guy performed the last annual inspection....and have some questions for him. They should provide the contact info.

If you don't want to go that route....and the IA has been around for a while....there are some lists online. The FAA use to provide a list of IA's. If you find one of those lists your guy's info could be there. But that route may take more leg work to get the results you are looking for.
 
Magman said:
At one time FAA Form 8320-3 was used to record Annual Inspections.

Original to owner, carbon copy to IA.

I always hated typing on Carbon Paper forms..My frequent mistakes are a

pia to correct.

Some FSDO’s require IA’s that are using “ 4 Annuals/year “ to renew the

credential to report the info on aircraft used. Most IA’s interpret this as

data on the aircraft used for renewal basis. Not all the aircraft inspected

during the Renewal Period.


Neither of the 2 mentioned would provide any data other than Owner,

Date and hours and Airworthy or not. So what is it you are looking for?
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An 8320-3 is a Facility Accident/Incident Notification Record
 
Clip4 said:
An 8320-3 is a Facility Accident/Incident Notification Record
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FYI: there used to be a requirement to record the annual inspections on government forms that went back to the CAA days. While I don't recall the FAA form number or when it stopped, during the CAA it was Form 305 or 309 as it was common to see those forms in older aircraft records. This was also the time frame when an aircraft was issued a new AWC at each annual and that form doubled as the AWC application.;)
 
Was and is not always the same.

“FAA Form 8320-3 (11-67) FORMERLY FAA FORM 2350”

was the

“AIRCRAFT USE AND INSPECTION REPORT” on 12/14/69.

N4844Z was found Airworthy on that date. It had flown 59.36 hrs in

the previous 12 months. Tach Reading and Total Time was not reported.

It was FAA then along with “ Permanent AWC”.

I still have a few carbon copies of those days.

Regulations and interpretations do change so it pays to keep current

and not rely on “used to be’s”.
 
Bell206 said:
FYI: there used to be a requirement to record the annual inspections on government forms that went back to the CAA days. While I don't recall the FAA form number or when it stopped, during the CAA it was Form 305 or 309 as it was common to see those forms in older aircraft records. This was also the time frame when an aircraft was issued a new AWC at each annual and that form doubled as the AWC application.;)
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Dude. The CAA ended in 1958.
 
Clip4 said:
Dude. The CAA ended in 1958.
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And? You implied in your post the FAA annual record form didn’t exist. I merely enlightened you that it did and gave you some background where that FAA form originated from. Sometimes you don’t know, what you don’t know. ;)
 
Kevin Eggert said:
Quick question...

Is there any paperwork filed with the FAA (or anywhere else) to record the annual inspection of an aircraft? I'm just curious if the log books of the aircraft are the only place other than maybe a copy kept by the A&P mechanic where this record exists.
Click to expand...
As previously stated, the answer is no. Owner is responsible for the aircraft maintenance logs
 
Looks like OP never got back with a reason.
 
Bell206 said:
And? You implied in your post the FAA annual record form didn’t exist. I merely enlightened you that it did and gave you some background where that FAA form originated from. Sometimes you don’t know, what you don’t know. ;)
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Not clif. He knows everything including the stuff he doesn’t know.
 
Bell206 said:
And? You implied in your post the FAA annual record form didn’t exist. I merely enlightened you that it did and gave you some background where that FAA form originated from. Sometimes you don’t know, what you don’t know. ;)
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CAA form 305 or 309, is a CAA form.
 
Last edited:
Kevin Eggert said:
My question was more geared towards verification of an annual. I was looking at an airplane that was out of annual for about 15 years, but has a recent annual from an independent A&P that I can't get in touch with and that isn't affiliated with any FBO or airport based repair shop that I can find. I never fully trust any seller, so just wanted to see if there was some way to verify that the last annual to get the plane current was actually legitimate. I don't want to waste time and money with a prebuy before finding out about this first. If it's not legit, I won't even bother moving forward. I have to wonder how rampant illegitimate logbook entries actually are.
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If you don’t trust the person that did the annual, why would you trust a third party that could only possibly know about the annual if that same person told them about it? Makes no sense.
 
Kev. I didn’t realize #10 was yours. So you question is if the Current Annual
was signed by a legitimate IA? As was said; the FSDO where the inspection took place should be able to tell you that. I have had similar concerns regarding 337’s and AD’s. All turned out ok;I think!

Back to the form.

I THINK CAA Form 305 was superseded by FAA Form 2350. This in turn WAS
replaced by FAA FORM 8320-3. See bottom of attach. IIRC The form had to be sent to the “GADO” within 48 hrs.to designate whether AIRWORTHY or UNAIRWORTHY. It was phased out circa 1972.
 

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I spent 6 months this year, part time, going through everything trying to find mine. I finally did. Locked in a storage shed next to my RV in the next state over. Last night I finished taking photos of every page. I uploaded them to Google Photos. Next I'm going to burn a couple DVDs and stash them around like a squirrel stashing nuts. Not dealing with that feeling again.
 
I recommend reading:
§ 91.417 (a)(1) and § 43.11. Per § 43.11 Sub Paragraph (4) or (5) the sign off for an annual must have one result or the other.
 
Kiddo's Driver said:
I spent 6 months this year, part time, going through everything trying to find mine. I finally did. Locked in a storage shed next to my RV in the next state over. Last night I finished taking photos of every page. I uploaded them to Google Photos. Next I'm going to burn a couple DVDs and stash them around like a squirrel stashing nuts. Not dealing with that feeling again.
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Then in a couple years when you have a need to look at that DVD, you'll be scouring eBay to find a DVD drive. :eek:
 
donjohnston said:
Then in a couple years when you have a need to look at that DVD, you'll be scouring eBay to find a DVD drive. :eek:
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I'll still have Google Photos and my local computer. I've thought about some thumb drives too. USB ports are still likely to exist.
Don't make me talk about 5-1/4 floppies...
 
Salty said:
If you don’t trust the person that did the annual, why would you trust a third party that could only possibly know about the annual if that same person told them about it? Makes no sense.
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It was more of a question of whether an actual A&P actually did it, or if the owner just wrote it in themselves. If I can track down the A&P, I'll have my answer. Had there been a copy filed somewhere from the 3rd party A&P (not the owner) I would have more confidence that this actually happened versus someone with a pen who was motivated to illegitimately increase the value of their property.
 
Kevin Eggert said:
If I can track down the A&P, I'll have my answer. Had there been a copy filed somewhere from the 3rd party A&P (not the owner) I would have more confidence that this actually happened versus someone with a pen who was motivated to illegitimately increase the value of their property.
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All of the A&P-IAs I know are also pilots and are in the FAA airman database. Have you tried looking him up there? It may list an address.
 
Half Fast said:
All of the A&P-IAs I know are also pilots and are in the FAA airman database. Have you tried looking him up there? It may list an address.
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The airmen registry displays mechanic certificates, too.
ca5940496a469aea4549868cf9837ed3.jpg
 
TCABM said:
The airmen registry displays mechanic certificates, too.
ca5940496a469aea4549868cf9837ed3.jpg
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That example is also a pilot. If the A&P does not hold a pilot's cert, does he still show up? I don't know any examples to try.
 
Kevin Eggert said:
or if the owner just wrote it in themselves.
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FWIW: if you even think that is even a possibly I would walk away from the aircraft regardless. Have seen bogus sign-offs in a logbook before but never for an annual in that manner. It actually can be a criminal act in some cases.
 
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