Despite the general rule that Contract Maintenance follow an Air Carrier’s FAA-approved maintenance program, the Department of Transportation Inspector General (IG), “had noted lapses in the means to ensure air carrier manuals are followed when contracted maintenance is performed. The deficiencies noted include a lack of guidance and training for the maintenance providers, and insufficient oversight of that maintenance.” The IG recommended a rule that would require the FAA to better identify Air Carrier Contact Maintenance Providers.
Consequently, “[t]he proposed rules would require these operators to develop policies, procedures, methods, and instructions for performing contract maintenance that are acceptable to the FAA and to include them in their maintenance manuals. The rules would also require the operators to provide a list to the FAA of all persons with whom they contract their maintenance.”
The full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be read here.