§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 November,Official Report, column 154, what inspections are being undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that Boeing's instructions regarding defective rudders are being implemented. [6967]
§ Mr. BowisNo specific inspections by the Civil Aviation Authority are required. The aircraft operator is responsible for ensuring that mandatory inspections, such as those required by US Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive 96-23–51, are carried out. UK operators are aware of the importance of complying with airworthiness directives and have always been assiduous in doing so.
An aircraft cannot be released to service by its maintenance organisation until all mandatory action has been carried out and recorded in the maintenance records. CAA control over this process is exercised through regular audits of organisations and their maintenance records.