Rant: Got pressured to approve a nav system with a known fault

Working on a corporate jet last Friday, the crew chief told me to green-light the GPS unit even though the error log showed a past glitch. He said the client needed the plane ready for a morning flight and we had no time for a deep dive. I felt stuck because skipping the fix could mean trouble if the system dropped out during cruise. I checked the wiring myself and spotted a corroded pin that wasn't caught in the quick look. It took an extra hour to clean and secure it, but I knew it had to be done right. My advice is to always trust your gut and the data, not just the schedule. Letting a plane go with a maybe-okay system is a gamble no one should take. Stand firm on your checks, even if it means some unhappy faces around the hangar.

3 comments

3 Comments

nora101mo ago

I caught a segment on the radio about an FAA audit last year. They found pressured sign-offs were a common factor in minor incidents. Good on you for not adding to that list.

grant_palmer1mo ago

The FAA audit last year linked pressured sign-offs to dozens of minor incidents. In my experience, that pressure is a real problem, but your mileage may vary.

jesseb2025d ago

Stood my ground when my boss pushed for a quick sign-off last month. Just kept repeating "not safe yet" until they backed off. Felt rough in the moment but saved my butt later.