Who has the primary responsibility for maintaining an aircraft in worthy condition?

The primary responsibility for maintaining an aircraft in worthy condition falls to the owner or operator. This responsibility includes ensuring that the aircraft is compliant with all maintenance requirements, adhering to scheduled inspections, and consistently monitoring the aircraft's condition to maintain airworthiness. The owner/operator must ensure that all necessary maintenance is performed by qualified personnel and that accurate records are kept to document the aircraft's maintenance history.

While the pilot in command does play a critical role in conducting pre-flight inspections and confirming the operational status of the aircraft, their responsibility is primarily related to the specific flight and not the overall upkeep of the aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer is responsible for providing the aircraft in a condition that is airworthy and supplying the necessary documentation and guidelines for maintenance, but they are not directly responsible for ongoing maintenance. The ground crew supports various maintenance activities and assists with the day-to-day operations of the aircraft, but they operate under the direction of the owner/operator and do not hold primary responsibility for the aircraft's overall maintenance.