Expert: Marc Ebelini - 11/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Marc,
I'm confused about 100-hour & annual inspections. I recently purchased an aircraft and the seller paid for the annual prior to sale. The IA wrote "annual inspection" in the airframe log, but "100-hour inspection" in the engine log. He explained that the aircraft log was filled out as an annual inspection, and that covered me as an annual. I asked what happened if I flew over 100 hours in the proceeding year, and he replied I was covered by the annual in the airframe log. Is he correct?
Also, the a/c I purchased didn't have a prop log. What's the law on that issue now?
Thanks very much,
-Dave


ANSWER: The annual and 100 hour are basically the same except that the annual requires an authorized inspector to perform. Private aircraft require only an annual inspection whereas commercial aircraft require additional 100 hour inspections during the 12 month period performed by a licensed mechanic. Authorized inspectors are licensed mechanics with the additional certification that must be renewed every year. Prop data can be part of the engine log provided it was part of the original aircraft. Replaced props must have data or log to indicate it's prior history. I am assuming it's a controllable prop that must have a history of maintenance and service as required. Such as any AD's that may have been required on the prop. Reading logs carefully can reveal things. For instance another prop is installed on an aircraft. Why? It could have had a nose gear failure and had just the prop replaced without having the engine inspected for a sudden stoppage. Then the aircraft is sold and the new owner is flying an aircraft that may have a damaged engine.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Marc,
I guess I didn't make my question clear enough- what I'm trying to get at is this: Is a 100-hour inspection sufficient as a log book entry on the engine log of my Piper PA-22? The IA explained that the airframe required an "annual" sign off, but the engine only a 100-hour. I've owned several a/c in the past and all have had both logs signed off as annuals.
The prop is a change out, when the 160-HP STC was performed. The prop was new at the time. I'll get a prop log for it, since it seems  you're saying it needs to have its own log as a "new" item.
Thanks very much!
db


Answer
Actually I answered your question. It's matter of semantics. As I mentioned the 100 hour inspection and annual are the same only difference is who performs it. Any mechanic can do a 100 hour inspection but the annual requires the IA. Once the inspection is noted in the aircraft and the date a name of the mechanic are the same (he used IA XXXXXX) in the engine log you have had an annual inspection. Since he called it an annual in the aircraft it counts as an annual. Because it could be confusing should the logs are separated I would have asked that the annual statement be in the engine log to too remove any question. Especially if it was not signed as an IA. That becomes the important detail. A 100 inspection signed by a A%26P does not make it clear it was part of the annual requirement. Replacing the A%26P in front of your license number with IA makes the difference. Hope you see it clearly now.
Most IA's have rubber stamps where a space to insert aircraft or engine, date and time on the airframe and engine. Another point to make, it is your responsibility to see that the annual is signed off properly in both manual and you have them in your procession. Aircraft owners have the right to request to see your IA card and that the back is signed up to date by the local FAA. It must be renewed each year around March. The person must meet the current requirements that include the annual seminar.