Which statement best describes who must personally perform a 100-hour inspection?

• A. A certificated A&P mechanic must personally perform the inspection; supervision of an unlicensed person is not allowed.
• B. An unlicensed technician may perform under supervision.
• C. The inspection may be performed by any maintenance staff with authorization.
• D. The owner may supervise as long as a licensed inspector signs later.

Answer: (A)

For a 100-hour inspection, the person who actually performs the inspection must hold a certificated mechanic certificate (an A&P). This requirement exists because the inspection is a safety-critical, recurring check that demands the training and authority that only a certificated mechanic has. The inspector must personally perform the inspection tasks and sign the maintenance records with their certificate number. Supervising an unlicensed technician does not satisfy this requirement, since the hands-on work and the responsible sign-off must be done by the certificated mechanic. Other staff may assist under supervision in some maintenance tasks, but they cannot independently conduct the 100-hour inspection and sign it off; ownership or later signing by a licensed inspector does not meet the rule because the actual inspection work must be performed by the certificated mechanic.