Who may authorize further flight after landing with major structural damage?

• A. Pilot in command
• B. Maintenance supervisor
• C. Commandant (CG-711) with technical concurrence from Commandant (CG-41)
• D. On-scene safety officer

Answer: (C)

The key idea is airworthiness control and who has the authority to authorize continuing flight after there’s major structural damage. When a plane lands with serious structural damage, it isn’t safe to fly again without formal approval that includes engineering evaluation. That approval must come from the top-level authority responsible for airworthiness, and it must be accompanied by technical concurrence from the engineering office. In this scenario, that authority rests with the Commandant (CG-711) with technical concurrence from Commandant (CG-41). This pairing ensures a definitive, auditable decision that the risk is understood and accepted by those who determine whether the aircraft can be considered airworthy for flight to a maintenance facility or a safer location.

The pilot in command can assess flight safety, but cannot authorize continued flight when major structural damage is present. A maintenance supervisor oversees repairs but does not grant flight clearance. An on-scene safety officer focuses on immediate safety and doesn’t have the authority to approve airworthiness for further flight.