AerScheduler

14 CFR Part 43 · Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration

14 CFR 43.9: What a maintenance logbook entry must say

Whoever does maintenance, preventive maintenance or an alteration makes a logbook entry with a description of the work, the date it was completed, the name of who did it, and the signature, certificate number and kind of certificate of whoever approved it. Major repairs and alterations also need a Form 337.

Section last amended December 30, 2016 · Text current as of October 15, 2026 · Also cited as FAR 43.9 · Read it on eCFR

14 CFR 43.9 in plain English

  • Describe the work, or reference data acceptable to the FAA. (a)(1)
  • The date the work was completed. (a)(2)
  • The name of the person who did the work, if different from the person approving it. (a)(3)
  • The approving person's signature, certificate number and kind of certificate. The signature approves the return to service for that work only. (a)(4)
  • Inspections are logged under 43.11 instead. (c)
  • Major repairs and alterations are also recorded on a form (the FAA Form 337) under Appendix B. (d)

Common questions

Does a pilot doing an oil change need a logbook entry?
Yes. Preventive maintenance is covered by paragraph (a), so the pilot makes the entry with the description, date, signature, certificate number and kind of certificate.
What is a Form 337?
FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration, the form Appendix B prescribes for major repairs and alterations. The owner keeps a copy under 91.417(a)(2)(vi).

Official text of 14 CFR 43.9

§ 43.9 Content, form, and disposition of maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration records (except inspections performed in accordance with part 91, part 125, § 135.411(a)(1), and § 135.419 of this chapter). Verbatim from the eCFR, current as of October 15, 2026.

(a)Maintenance record entries. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, each person who maintains, performs preventive maintenance, rebuilds, or alters an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part shall make an entry in the maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:

(1)A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of work performed.

(2)The date of completion of the work performed.

(3)The name of the person performing the work if other than the person specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

(4)If the work performed on the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part has been performed satisfactorily, the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work. The signature constitutes the approval for return to service only for the work performed.

(b)Each holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate issued under Part 121 or 135, that is required by its approved operations specifications to provide for a continuous airworthiness maintenance program, shall make a record of the maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration, on aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts which it operates in accordance with the applicable provisions of Part 121 or 135 of this chapter, as appropriate.

(c)This section does not apply to persons performing inspections in accordance with Part 91, 125, § 135.411(a)(1), or § 135.419 of this chapter.

(d)In addition to the entry required by paragraph (a) of this section, major repairs and major alterations shall be entered on a form, and the form disposed of, in the manner prescribed in appendix B, by the person performing the work.

Related

AerScheduler keeps inspections, squawks and work orders on each aircraft. It tracks the status; the signed logbook stays the record. See how