Fuselage, wings, and tail

Check for corrosion under fuselage. Remove inspection panels to check for corrosion or damage inside the wings and fuselage.

Check all radio antennas for tightness of mountings.

Check around fuel tanks and seams near tanks for fuel stains and discoloration’s - looking for fuel tank leaks.

Check wing for bends, damage.

Check wing and tail leading edges and tips for dents, cracks, and other damage.

Check for cracks and metal fatigue, particularly around the cowling, which could indicate excessively hard use.

Check controls for free and easy movement. Check ailerons for movement. Check hinges for rust or corrosion.

Check control cables for wear and fore secure attachment at control horns.

Check flaps for smooth, even extension and retraction.

Landing Gear

Check oleo struts for leaks, pitting, and scoring. Check strut extension against manufacturer’s recommendations.

Check nose gear mechanism for excessive play in steering and/or retraction linkages.

Check main gear retraction mechanisms and gear doors for excessive play or fatigue.

Check brake lines and hydraulic retraction mechanism lines for leaks.

Check brake pads for excessive wear

Check tires for tread, cracks, and uneven wear.

Engine and Propeller

Compression check.

Oil Analysis

Check for engine oil leaks

Check fuel lines, carburetor, and intake gaskets for leaks

Check for exhaust manifold/exhaust gasket leaks

Check for distorted, bent or broken cooling fins or baffle plates.

Check engine controls for free, easy motion.

Check wiring harnesses and other electrical connections for brittleness, discoloration, fraying and wear.

Check oil and air hoses and tubing for fraying, wear, chafing, and excessively tightened clamps.

Check exhaust manifolds and mufflers for cracks and dents.

Check inside of exhaust pipe for any buildup.

Check engine crankcase for cracks under magnifying glass.

Check prop for cracks and nicks that have not been properly dressed down.

Check constant-speed prop for excessive play or oil leaks.

Check the spinner and mounting ring for fatigue cracks.

Cabin

Seat upholstery for rips for fraying.

Check for cracks in plastic on instrument panels, ceiling and doors.

Check the door seal and latching mechanism.

Check seat belts for excessive wear.

Make sure all knobs and levers work, and proper operation.

Check seat security and easy movement.

Check windshield for and cracks, cloudiness, or crazing.

Log Review

Are there any gaps in the logs

Are all AD’s complied with - For 112’s there are two very expensive AD’s that have to do with structural re-enforcement of the wings and tail, have these in particular been done?

Do the logs show good history of oil changes

Were previous annuals thorough.

Damage History

Review all damage history.

Insure there is no structural damage to the airplane.

Aircraft Systems

- all aircraft systems in proper working order