How should nonconformities be classified in AMQS to ensure effective remediation?

• A. By the date of discovery only.
• B. By the department that found it.
• C. By the cost to fix.
• D. By severity of impact on airworthiness, potential safety risk, and likelihood of recurrence.

Answer: (D)

Classifying nonconformities by how they affect airworthiness and safety, plus how likely they are to recur, ensures remediation is prioritized where it matters most. Evaluating severity of impact on airworthiness tells you whether a defect could compromise the aircraft’s ability to operate safely or meet certification standards. Assessing potential safety risk highlights the real danger to pilots, passengers, and equipment. Considering the likelihood of recurrence indicates whether the issue is a one-off or points to a root cause that needs corrective action to prevent future occurrences. Together, these factors create a risk-based priority for remediation and guide appropriate corrective and preventive actions.

Relying on when the issue was discovered, which department found it, or simply the cost to fix does not reflect the true risk or recurrence potential, so it doesn’t support effective remediation decisions.