Mag timing check, for dumb guys

[skymstr02]

I apologize for being so harse, but I got burned by the FAA once after completing an annual inspection on a customers aircraft. The owner had performed undocumented maintenance, and since my name was the last in the book, I took the heat.

Touch the ground lead from your buzz box to one of the other leads, listen for a tone change and a light to either go on or off, depending on the type of box that you have. That will be the test for the unit.

[Skymaster337B]

Broken wires grounded it out...all is well now.

[Skymaster337B]

By the way, how did the FAA figure out that you were responsible for work that the owner did? And how do I protect myself from such FAA finger pointing?

[skymstr02]

Because my last annual release for flight was the last entry in the maintenance log.
Like I said, undocumented maintenance. I had a copy of my itemized work order that mirrored the log entry, and used that in my defense. The owner had installed some automotive accessories and got caught on a ramp check by an FAA inspector.
I have always argued that the log book entry is void (as far as airworthiness) when the airplane leaves the hangar. I can't state the the airplane will be airworthy next week, if the airplane is not in my control.

[Skymaster337B]

Sounds like you could fight that one...at your expense of course. The FAA's position is that an annual inspection is a visual inspection by nature and ensures conformity only on the day the IA signs it off. That means the owner/operator is responsible for airworthiness after the airplane leaves the IA's hangar. It sounds like that FAA inspector was a jackass.