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Heard a senior guy at the hangar say 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' is the only rule that matters. I think that's a lazy way to work.
He was talking about skipping a detailed inspection on a Cessna 172's flap actuator because it was working fine. I pulled the service manual and the inspection interval was clearly past due. Found some minor corrosion starting. Catching it now saves a major repair later. Preventative maintenance isn't just a suggestion, it's the job. When did 'not broken' become the same as 'airworthy'? Am I the only one who thinks this mindset is a problem?
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caleb8266mo ago
Used to think that way too, honestly. Figured if nothing was rattling or leaking, it was good to go. Then I saw a landing gear collapse on a plane that "wasn't broken" until it very much was. Your find on that actuator proves the book exists for a reason. It's not about fixing what's broken, it's about knowing what could break next. That senior guy's rule only works until the day it doesn't, and then you're explaining why you skipped steps.
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