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Temporary removal of a life-limited part

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 6 of 12 on Airframe Inspection. ACS element AM.II.D.K3 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA life-limited part is temporarily removed for maintenance and reinstalled on the same serial-numbered product, and its life status has not changed. Under 14 CFR § 43.10, what remaining condition allows this removal without disposition of the part?

  1. AThe product accrued no time in service while the part was off
  2. BThe part was marked with its current life status before removal
  3. CThe part was held in a sealed container while it was removed
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The product accrued no time in service while the part was off

  • A — correct § 43.10(b)(3) completes the exception by requiring that the product not accumulate time in service while the part is removed.
  • B — incorrect Marking is one of the control methods listed in § 43.10(c) for parts that must be dispositioned; it is not a condition of the temporary-removal exception.
  • C — incorrect Storage in a container is not among the three conditions in § 43.10(b); segregated storage is a separate control method under paragraph (c).

BACKGROUND

A life-limited part is defined in 14 CFR § 43.10 as any part for which a mandatory replacement limit is specified in the type design, the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, or the maintenance manual, and its life status is the accumulated cycles, hours, or other mandatory replacement limit. When such a part is removed from a type-certificated product it normally must be controlled by one of the methods in § 43.10(c), such as a recordkeeping system, an attached tag or record, non-permanent or permanent marking, segregation, mutilation, or another method accepted by the FAA. Paragraph (b) carves out an exception for temporary removal during maintenance, but only when all three of its conditions are met: the life status has not changed, the part goes back on the same serial-numbered product, and that product accumulates no time in service while the part is off. If any one condition fails, a disposition method under paragraph (c) is required.

STUDY TIP

Treat § 43.10(b) as a three-part test and check every condition before concluding that no disposition is needed. Missing the "no time in service" condition is the usual trap.

KEY POINTS

  • A life-limited part has a mandatory replacement limit set by the type design, ICA, or maintenance manual.
  • Temporary removal escapes disposition only when all three conditions of § 43.10(b) are met.
  • Otherwise the part must be controlled by one of the methods in § 43.10(c).

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR 43.10(a)
  • 14 CFR 43.10(b)
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-31B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Airframe, and 14 CFR part 43. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.