Which party is primarily responsible for keeping an aircraft in airworthy condition and maintaining its records?

• A. the manufacturer
• B. the pilot
• C. the maintenance technician
• D. the owner or operator

Answer: (D)

The owner or operator bears the responsibility for keeping the aircraft airworthy and maintaining its records. Airworthiness depends on complying with all applicable regulations, inspections, ADs, and service bulletins, and keeping complete, accurate maintenance logs that show what was done and when. The maintenance technician performs the actual work and signs off tasks using approved data, but the obligation to ensure ongoing airworthiness and to maintain the records rests with the person who owns or operates the aircraft. The manufacturer provides design and maintenance instructions, but does not take on the ongoing duty of maintaining airworthiness; the pilot operates the aircraft and may notice issues, but the accountability for records and compliance lies with the owner or operator.