Jim Stewart wrote:
Dave Butler wrote:

Yes, many IA's I've worked with refuse to sign after 200 over TBO.
Its probably a liability issue.

Sounds like a competency issue - on what basis did they 'fail" the
aircraft?

They don't have to fail anything. If it's not returned to service, the
owner is at liberty to find another IA who is willing to return it to
service. An IA is not obligated to explain why he chooses not to return
an aircraft to service.

He's supposed to make a log entry regarding the
results of his inspection isn't he? Even if the
FAR didn't specifically require such an entry,
common business ethics and practices would demand
it should the owner request it.

Beg pardon? "Common business ethics and practices" and the FARs in
the same sentence?

As another poster explained, the IA is required by the FARs to provide
a written explanation identifying each item that is unairworthy. A
log book entry is the second written documentation entry.

14CFRPart 43.11 - content, form and disposition of records for
inspection conducted under Parts 91 & 125....

(a)(5)..."...I certify this aircraft has been inspected...and a list
of discrepancies ...has been provided for the aircraft owner..."

(b)Listing of discrepancies and placards

"if the person performing any inspection required by Part 91 or 125..
finds that the aircraft is unairworthy or does not meet applicable type
certificate data, airworthiness directives or other approved data upon
which its airworthiness depends, that person must give the owner or
lessee a signed and data list of those discrepancies..."