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Resuming work after a distraction

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 6 of 16 on Human Factors. ACS element AM.I.L.K9 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA technician is interrupted by a phone call while performing step 14 of a written maintenance procedure. Following the practice recommended in FAA-H-8083-30B for recovering from a distraction, at which step should the technician resume work?

  1. AStep 13, one step back
  2. BStep 11
  3. CStep 14, where the call came in
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Step 11

  • A — incorrect Going back a single step is not the handbook's recommendation; it calls for backing up three steps from where the distraction occurred.
  • B — correct The handbook recommends going back three steps in the work procedure from the point where the distraction occurred; three steps before step 14 is step 11.
  • C — incorrect Resuming at the interrupted step is exactly what the handbook warns against, because a distraction can make a technician think the work is further along than it really is.

BACKGROUND

Distraction is one of the dirty dozen human factors, and the Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - General (FAA-H-8083-30B) notes that when work resumes after an interruption the technician may skip over a detail that needs attention. A good practice is to go back three steps in the work procedure from the point where the distraction occurred and resume the job from there. Using a detailed step-by-step written procedure and signing off each step only after it is completed also helps. Incomplete work can be marked or tagged, and any connector that is not fully installed should be disconnected and left plainly visible so that no one assumes the job is finished because a component is hooked up.

STUDY TIP

Apply the three-step rule literally: subtract three from the interrupted step number. Also remember the related practices of signing off each step as it is completed and leaving incomplete work visibly unfinished.

KEY POINTS

  • After a distraction, go back three steps in the procedure and resume from there.
  • Sign off each step only after it is completed.
  • Mark or tag incomplete work and leave unfinished connections plainly visible.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch14 "Distraction"
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MORE ON HUMAN FACTORS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.