The reporter has raised a safety concern in relation to a Part 121 operator's B2 category licenced aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs) conducting unauthorised maintenance activities.
The reporter is concerned that category B2 LAMEs (licenced to conduct electrical and avionics maintenance) are potentially conducting aircraft structural and mechanical maintenance tasks for which they are not authorised to conduct, including and not limited to the following;
- removal and installation of landing gear locks
- external walk-around checks (tyre condition, brakes, wing tip and trailing edge, engine and pylon)
- engine oil and hydraulic fluid top-ups
- oxygen replenishment
- fuel drains to check for contamination.
The reporter is further concerned that category B2 LAMEs are also allowed to certify for pre-flight, arrival / turnaround, and 3-day checks (all of which include the above listed maintenance tasks) on [type 1 and type 2] aircraft.
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the confidential report submitted to the ATSB.
[Operator] has reviewed the concerns raised regarding category B2 LAMEs performing tasks outside their authorisation. In accordance with our Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) exposition and regulatory requirements, engineers are only permitted to carry out tasks for which they hold the applicable authority on their licence.
Our review confirms that:
- Company authorised B2 LAMEs have only completed tasks they are authorised to undertake.
- Tasks such as removal and installation of landing gear locks, external walk-around inspections, engine oil and hydraulic fluid replenishment, fuel drains, and certification of pre-flight, arrival / turnaround, and 3-day checks are permitted under their company authorisation in accordance with our Part 145 AMO exposition.
- Oxygen replenishment authorisation is only issued to those B2 LAMEs that have been granted I-2 on their Part 66 licence and appropriately authorised as detailed in the [Operator document] certification authorisation.
We remain committed to ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and maintaining the highest standards of safety.
CASA has recently attended [Operator] and conducted surveillance. CASA is satisfied with [Operator]’s’ response and reference to the regulatory requirements.
For further information please refer - Part 66 Manual of Standards - Federal Register of Legislation