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145.A.48 requires that all maintenance is performed in accordance with the applicable maintenance data, using the methods, techniques, and practices specified therein, and that critical maintenance tasks are subject to an independent inspection to reduce the risk of errors.
What it means in practice
Every maintenance task must be carried out following the steps and procedures laid down in the applicable maintenance data. Deviations from the documented procedures are not permitted unless they are approved through the proper channels. The organisation must also ensure that critical maintenance tasks, those where incorrect assembly could create a hazard that is not readily detectable during subsequent inspection, are subject to an independent inspection after completion.
The regulation also requires the organisation to establish error-capturing methods, such as independent inspections and duplicate inspections, to reduce the risk of multiple related errors affecting flight safety. These error-capturing methods must be defined in the Maintenance Organisation Exposition and applied consistently.
Key requirements
Maintenance must be performed strictly in accordance with applicable data. The organisation must define and apply error-capturing methods, including independent inspections of critical maintenance tasks. Damage or defects found during maintenance must be assessed and addressed before the aircraft or component is released to service. The organisation must have procedures to deal with partially completed tasks, including clear documentation of what has been done and what remains.
When maintenance cannot be completed, the organisation must ensure the aircraft or component is returned to a safe condition and that all incomplete work is clearly documented and communicated.
Common compliance gaps
Failure to properly identify and apply independent inspections to all critical maintenance tasks is a recurring finding. Organisations sometimes define the list of critical tasks too narrowly, missing assembly tasks that qualify. Another common issue is poorly documented task handovers, where maintenance personnel change during a task without a clear record of what was completed and what remains.
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