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What should QA look for when reviewing aircraft maintenance forms documentation?

Quality Assurance reviews aircraft forms and MIS entries to confirm they are complete, accurate, and validated each shift and during document reviews. QA checks operating times, TCTO and time-change component status, open deferred discrepancies, and that MIS data matches the aircraft forms. In the Air Force this is governed by DAFI 21-101, with parallel maintenance-program guidance across the other branches.

Readers asked this on CheckMyRegs and CheckMyAFI 19 times — this page answers it from the official catalogs and the publications’ own text.

The controlling publication in each branch

BranchControlling publicationDatedSource
Air ForceDAFI 21-101 Current
QA responsibilities, forms accuracy, and aircraft document reviews
2023-12-20Official link
ArmyAR 750-1 Current
Army materiel maintenance management policy
2026-04-29Official link
NavyOPNAVINST 4790.2K Current
Naval Aviation Maintenance Program documentation
2025-04-25Official link
Marine CorpsMCO 4790.25 Current
Ground Equipment Maintenance Program
2014-01-12Official link
Publication numbers, dates, and statuses resolve live against each branch’s official catalog every time this page loads — when a service revises its reg, this page follows. Quotes below are extracted verbatim from the official PDFs. Verify the controlling copy before citing it.

What the regulation actually says

Complete and accurate each shift

Verify aircraft, system, and equipment forms plus MIS documentation are complete, accurate, and thoroughly reviewed every shift under documented procedures.

“2.4.2.20. Develop procedures and assign responsibilities to ensure aircraft, aircraft system forms, equipment forms, and MIS documentation are complete, accurate, and are thoroughly reviewed each shift. (T-3) Documented procedures as a minimum will include:”

Validate document reviews

Confirm scheduled aircraft document reviews were validated using the applicable MIS/records check package and automated aircraft forms.

“2.12.10. Validate scheduled aircraft document reviews using applicable MIS/records check package and automated aircraft forms IAW Chapter 14.”

Check times and open items

Validate airframe/engine operating times and cycles, TCTO documentation, time-change component times, next-inspection times, backordered supply document numbers, and open deferred discrepancies.

“14.2.3. Aircraft Document Reviews (ADR). ADRs validate and correct any errors on airframe and engine operating times and cycles, TCTO documentation, TCI component operating times, time remaining to the next inspection, backordered supply document numbers and open deferred discrepancies. The aircraft AFTO Form 781-series for possessed aircraft are reviewed by aircraft crew chiefs, flightline maintenance functions, PS&D, Engine Management ( EM) and LRS personnel to ensure the accuracy and validity of entries.”

MIS matches the forms

Ensure MIS entries match the content of the aircraft forms and that correct employee, man, and User IDs are recorded for work performed.

“1.12. Maintenance Information System ( MIS). MIS refers to automated maintenance information systems that support and enable maintenance business processes. The MIS is used to document maintenance actions and track fleet health. The information entered into the MIS is accomplished IAW TO 00-20-2 and matches the content of the aircraft forms. MIS data entries do not have to be accomplished by the same individual who documented the aircraft forms, but employee numbers, man numbers, and User IDs of individuals accomplishing the actual work are entered into the MIS. Red Ball maintenance is documented IAW Chapter 11. Data integrity is the responsibility of every member of the unit. All personnel are responsible for ensuring accuracy and completeness.”

Review before functional check flights

Review all maintenance actions on transient aircraft requiring an FCF before the flight is flown.

“6.12.3.5. All maintenance actions on transient aircraft requiring FCF must be reviewed by QA prior to FCF. (T-2)”

Act as technical advisor

Use QA's authority to observe, correct, and document maintenance activities while assisting work center supervisors in reviewing supporting tasks.

“6.2. Responsibilities. QA is responsible to the MXG/CC or equivalent to perform as the primary technical advisory agency for maintenance actions and to assist work center supervisors in reviewing tasks involved in supporting the maintenance effort. MXG QA Inspectors have the authority to observe, correct and document applicable maintenance activities performed within the MXG. QA will:”

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Updated 2026-08-01. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.