Maintenance Program Analysis for Aircraft Structures of the 80s: MSG-3

This paper outlines and explains the history, philosophy, and procedures of aircraft structures maintenance program analysis contained in the recently published Air Transport Association of America document entitled Airline/Manufacturer Maintenance Program Planning Document - MSG-3.

Some of the details developed are the relationship of the scheduled structural maintenance program to the consequences of structural item functional failure, the structure's susceptibility to damage, and the degree of difficulty involved in detecting such damage. The “MSG-3 Structural Maintenance Program Development Logic” is provided to show how each of the deterioration sources (fatigue, environmental, and accidental damage) are assessed separately to provide a structural inspection program for the timely detection of any distress. The implementation of the MSG-3 process through the Maintenance Review Board activity is also discussed. In general, the paper describes the documented procedures for developing a detailed maintenance program for structures which complies with the guidelines of Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 25.571-1.