An IRATA L3 Technician [Respondent] breached an IRATA logbook signing policy by making alterations to previously verified entries recorded in their IRATA logbook.

Upon an annual review of the technician’s logbook conducted by an IRATA member company, it was found that the logbook submitted by the technician exhibited signs of alterations to multiple logbook entries, after they were verified by the logbook signatories. In addition to this, the logbook was found to be missing some pages.

The technician denied making alterations to his logbook claiming that the perpetrators were a group of armed robbers who he unfortunately fell victim to. The Respondent claimed that the armed robbers stole his IRATA ID card and logbook amongst other personal items. Further claiming that somehow the logbook alterations were made by the robbers or their associates.

Upon review of all the supporting information provided, the Complaints Panel made the following determination:

“The police report provided by the Respondent to support their claim of being attacked by armed men, who allegedly stole his bag, containing his IRATA logbook and ID card, was inconclusive insofar that the report did not mention the alleged robbery and was in fact a report that derived from an affidavit sworn by the Respondent at a local Court on 4th February 2019. The police report merely recorded the respondent’s own claims made in the statement dated 4th February. Furthermore, the Respondent claimed that his IRATA logbook and ID card were “lost” on 4th February 2019, however, the request for a replacement logbook was not forthcoming until 1st April 2019, almost two months after reporting the loss to the police. Moreover, this complaint was lodged 13th March 2019, 18 days prior to the request for a replacement logbook. It is noteworthy that, to date, IRATA are yet to receive a request from the Respondent for a replacement ID card and that it is a condition of the TACS that technicians are required to have a logbook at all times. Thus, in accordance with the TACS, the Respondent should have requested a replacement logbook immediately following its loss, thereby reporting the loss to IRATA. In this case, the Respondent only reported the loss of his logbook when asked to respond to IRATA’s enquiries regarding this complaint.

In view of the above and as the respondent is solely responsible for the entries recorded in his logbook, the panel have determined that a suspension of the Respondent’s IRATA certification for a period of six months shall serve as an appropriate sanction”.

IRATA COMMENTS

Contact IRATA prior to altering logbook entries once they have been verified.

IRATA technicians are strictly prohibited from making uncontrolled alterations to the previously verified logbook entries without prior consultation with IRATA Head Office. Any proven alteration of the IRATA logbook may result in the suspension or withdrawal of the logbook owner’s IRATA certification.