> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Manage Discrepancies
> Create, track, and resolve aircraft discrepancies including squawks, snags, and defects with full lifecycle management.
By following this guide, you will create discrepancy records for aircraft defects, classify
them by severity and ATA chapter, track them through the resolution lifecycle, link them to
work orders, and feed grounding events into the safety module for trend analysis.
**Who should read this:** Directors of maintenance, lead mechanics, pilots who report squawks,
and maintenance controllers responsible for tracking defect resolution.
**Required permission:** `maintenance_ops` -- read to view, update to create and modify
discrepancy records.
**Regulatory basis:** 14 CFR 43.9 requires entries in the aircraft maintenance record for each
discrepancy found and corrective action taken. 14 CFR 135.427 requires Part 135 operators to
report mechanical difficulties and maintain discrepancy tracking as part of the continuing
airworthiness maintenance program.
## The Discrepancies List
Navigate to **Maintenance > Discrepancies** to see all discrepancy records. The list displays:
| Column | Description |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Squawk # | Auto-generated identifier (e.g., SQ-001) -- click to open |
| Title | Short summary of the defect |
| Aircraft | Registration of the affected aircraft |
| ATA Chapter | ATA 100 chapter code and name |
| Severity | Minor, Major, Critical, or Grounding |
| Status | Current lifecycle status |
| Type | Squawk, Snag, Defect, or Write-up |
| Reported | Date the discrepancy was first reported |
### Status filters
| Status | Meaning |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Open | Newly reported, not yet addressed |
| Deferred | Deferred under MEL/CDL provisions (see MEL Deferrals guide) |
| In Progress | Corrective action underway |
| Pending Parts | Resolution blocked on parts availability |
| Resolved | Corrective action completed |
| Closed | Verified resolved and signed off |
## Create a Discrepancy
### Open the new discrepancy form
From the Discrepancies page, click **New Discrepancy**.
### Select the aircraft
Choose the aircraft registration from the dropdown.
### Enter identification details
* **Title** -- Short, factual squawk summary (e.g., "Left cabin door seal leaking")
* **Description** -- Detailed description of the condition, including where it was observed
and any operational impact
* **Discrepancy Type** -- Squawk, Snag, Defect, or Write-up
### Classify the discrepancy
* **ATA Chapter** -- Select the ATA 100 chapter code (e.g., "52" for Doors). The chapter
name auto-populates.
* **Category** -- Airframe, Engine, Avionics, Interior, Exterior, etc.
* **Severity** -- Select the severity level:
| Severity | Definition |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Minor | Cosmetic or non-operational issue; no effect on airworthiness |
| Major | Operational limitation but aircraft remains airworthy |
| Critical | Significant safety concern; immediate attention required |
| Grounding | Aircraft is unairworthy; must not fly until resolved |
Setting severity to **Grounding** marks the aircraft as grounded in the system. The aircraft will
appear as unavailable for flight scheduling until the discrepancy is resolved and the ground hold
is released. Per 14 CFR 91.7, no person may operate an aircraft unless it is in an airworthy
condition.
### Record reporting details
* **Reported By** -- Name of the person who identified the defect (typically the pilot)
* **Reported At** -- Date and time of discovery
* **Reported On Flight** -- If discovered during a flight, link the trip ID
### Create the discrepancy
Click **Create** to save. The system generates a squawk number, sets the status to **Open**,
and opens the discrepancy detail page.
## Discrepancy Detail Page
Click any squawk number to open the detail page. The page shows:
* **Header** -- Squawk number, aircraft, severity badge, status label, and ATA chapter
* **Description** -- Full rich-text description of the defect
* **Reporting details** -- Who reported it, when, and on which flight
* **MEL/CDL deferral info** -- If deferred, shows the MEL reference, category, and expiration
* **Resolution** -- Corrective action documentation with parts replaced and labor hours
* **Linked work order** -- If a work order was created, a direct link to it
* **Operational limitations** -- Any limitations applied while deferred
## Resolve a Discrepancy
### Open the resolution form
From the discrepancy detail page, click **Resolve**.
### Document the corrective action
* **Resolution** -- Rich-text description of what was done to correct the defect
* **Resolution Summary** -- Plain-text summary for quick reference
* **Parts Replaced** -- List any parts removed and installed
* **Labor Hours** -- Total labor hours for the corrective action
### Link to work order
If the resolution was performed under a work order, select it from the dropdown. This
creates bidirectional traceability between the discrepancy and the work order record.
### Submit the resolution
Click **Resolve**. The system records the resolver's identity, timestamps the resolution,
and transitions the status to **Resolved**.
## Defer a Discrepancy Under MEL
For defects eligible for deferral under 14 CFR 91.213 (inoperative instruments and
equipment), use the deferral workflow instead of immediate resolution. See the
[MEL Deferrals guide](/en/how-to/maintenance/manage-mel-deferrals) for the full deferral
procedure.
When a discrepancy is deferred:
* The status changes to **Deferred**
* MEL reference, category, certificate number, and expiration date are recorded on the
discrepancy
* Operational limitations and required placards are documented
* The deferral appears on the MEL Deferrals tracking page
## Feed Discrepancies to Safety
Grounding-level discrepancies and recurring defect patterns should be reported through
the Safety Management System. From the discrepancy detail page, click **Report to Safety**
to create a linked safety report. This enables trend analysis across the fleet and feeds
into the reliability program per 14 CFR 135.421(e).
***
Defer discrepancies under MEL provisions with category tracking.
Create work orders to address discrepancies.
Analyze discrepancy trends by ATA chapter.
Monitor fleet-wide discrepancy and compliance status.