Say It. Write It. Confirm It.
In aviation maintenance, communication isn’t just about passing information from one person to another -- it’s about making sure the right information gets to the right person, at the right time, and is understood. A missed detail during a shift turnover, an unclear logbook entry, or an assumption that “someone else already took care of it” can create a chain of unintended events.
Think about something as simple as a circuit breaker. If a circuit breaker was pulled or opened during maintenance, troubleshooting, or an inspection, the next technician needs to know why it was pulled, what work was performed, and whether it should remain open or be reset.
And communication doesn't stop with the turnover. Double-check the circuit breakers yourself. Don’t assume that because the previous technician said everything was good, every breaker is in the correct position. Verify it: compare it to the applicable maintenance procedure, aircraft documentation, or cockpit indications as required.
That extra few seconds of verification could prevent a much bigger problem.
We've Seen What Happens When Communication Fails
One of the most well-known examples is the Tenerife Airport disaster, where communication breakdowns, assumptions, and misunderstandings between the flight crew and air traffic control contributed to a catastrophic accident.
While maintenance environments are different, the lesson is the same: assumptions can be dangerous.
In maintenance, poor communication can result in:
- A task being missed or duplicated
- An incomplete shift turnover
- Incorrect or incomplete documentation
- A component being left in the wrong configuration
- A circuit breaker being left open or reset incorrectly
- A known problem not being passed to the next shift
- A technician making a decision based on information that isn't complete
The Hazard: Assuming Instead of Knowing
We've all heard it:
"I thought you took care of it."
"I thought that breaker was supposed to be pulled."
"I thought the next shift knew about it."
"It's probably already been checked."
Those words should get our attention.
In aviation maintenance, "I thought" is not a verification method.
If you don't know, ask.
If you're not sure, check.
If someone tells you something, confirm it.
If you perform the work, document it.
AMT Focus
Good communication is more than a conversation at shift change. It means taking ownership of the information you receive and the work you perform. Before you walk away from a task:
Say it. Communicate what was done and what remains.
Write it. Document the work accurately and completely.
Confirm it. Make sure the person taking over understands.
Double-check it. Don't rely solely on someone else's word—verify critical items yourself, including circuit-breaker positions, switches, panels, configurations, and anything else required by the applicable maintenance procedure.
Takeaway
Communication is a safety tool. Use it.
Aviation maintenance is a team effort, and every technician is one link in the chain. When information is missing, misunderstood, or assumed, that chain gets weaker. Take the extra minute. Ask the question. Make the call. Read the turnover. Check the paperwork. Double-check those circuit breakers. Because when it comes to aircraft maintenance, we don't get to assume—we have to know.
Say it. Write it. Confirm it.
Safety starts with you.
