← All explained questions · Supplemental · II — Preflight Procedures

If you discover NEW damage on the airplane during postflight that wasn't there preflight (rock chip on prop blade, dent in cowl, broken antenna), the airworthiness call is

Choices

the pilot can declare it minor and fly again.
PIC isn't authorized to declare damage minor.
✓ GROUND THE AIRCRAFT until a certified mechanic determines whether the damage is airworthy.correct
Some items (like prop blade nicks) need to be dressed/filed before flight; others (structural damage) require formal repair under FAR 43. Pilot's job: identify, write up, ground, defer to mechanic. PIC determines airworthiness BEFORE flight (91.7), but is not authorized to repair (Part 43). New damage = ground until mechanic clears it. Common rule of thumb: even small prop nicks must be filed/dressed before next flight (otherwise the nick is a stress concentrator for fatigue cracks). Get it inspected. Documenting and grounding the airplane is the safe, legal, professional choice.
tape it and continue.
Tape isn't a repair.
fly to home base for repair.
Flying damaged isn't legal even to repair facility (in most cases requires Special Flight Permit / ferry permit).

Why

Some items (like prop blade nicks) need to be dressed/filed before flight; others (structural damage) require formal repair under FAR 43. Pilot's job: identify, write up, ground, defer to mechanic. PIC determines airworthiness BEFORE flight (91.7), but is not authorized to repair (Part 43). New damage = ground until mechanic clears it. Common rule of thumb: even small prop nicks must be filed/dressed before next flight (otherwise the nick is a stress concentrator for fatigue cracks). Get it inspected. Documenting and grounding the airplane is the safe, legal, professional choice.

FAA source: 14 CFR §91.7(a), civil aircraft airworthiness; 14 CFR part 43 Appendix Abrowse the reference library →

Covered in Supplemental · II — Preflight Procedures — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.