I believe that it's FAR 91.7 that makes the annual inspection _process_
"complete". It says that:

(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy
condition.
(b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for
determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The
pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy
mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur.

The PIC has the the onus of ensuring that only airworthy airplanes get
flown, not the inspector.

-R

Yes but if a "competent person" informs the PIC that the plane is
unairworthy (s)he better have a darn good explanation for flying it.