Question 1

What is a service difficulty report?

Accepted Answer

A report a mechanic or operator files with the FAA when they find a failure, malfunction or defect on an aircraft: a cracked bracket, corrosion, a failed sensor. Filing is the maintenance system working, not failing.

Question 2

Does a high report count mean an airline is unsafe?

Accepted Answer

No. A large airline files more reports because it has more aircraft flying more hours, and a rigorous maintenance department files more than a careless one. The FAA file carries no fleet sizes and no flying hours, so no rate can be computed and this site computes none.

Question 3

Why does a report say ZONE 700 instead of landing gear?

Accepted Answer

The FAA form records location as a numbered zone. ZONE 700 is the landing gear. Single letters carry meaning too: A in one column means the crew made an unscheduled landing, and A elsewhere on the same form means an airline filed the report.

Question 4

Can the site tell me why something happened?

Accepted Answer

No. The file records what was found and what was done about it. It records no causes and no accidents, and the model is forbidden from writing because, caused or led to.

… reports

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