Lease return inspection: engine redelivery conditions explained

What return conditions usually cover

• Engine condition: a borescope inspection with video, no findings beyond AMM limits, no open repetitive inspections unless the lease allows them.
• Performance: a minimum EGT margin, demonstrated by a test cell run or an on-wing max power assurance (MPA) run that the lessor's representative witnesses.
• Life-limited parts: a minimum number of cycles remaining on each LLP, with back-to-birth traceability.
• Time since shop visit: limits on hours and cycles since the last performance restoration.
• Records: complete, in English, with release tags, AD compliance and a non-incident statement.
• Configuration: the QEC or EBU complete to the delivery condition, with the same or approved alternative part numbers.

What the inspection involves

1. Records audit first, ideally months before the return date, so gaps can be closed while the aircraft is still flying.
2. Physical and general visual inspection of the engine externals at the redelivery check.
3. Borescope inspection, full hot and cold section, with video, findings sized against the AMM.
4. MPA run witnessing and a review of the data against the lease minimums.
5. QEC/EBU inventory against the delivery specification with data-plate photos.
6. A findings report that states each discrepancy, the clause it fails, an estimate of the cost to correct it and, where the lease is clear, who is responsible.

When to start

Operators who start the records audit six to twelve months out walk into the redelivery with a short list. Those who start at the check walk in with a long one and a ferry flight on hold.

How shared evidence changes the conversation

When the borescope video, the measurements and the AMM references sit in one report that both sides can open, the discussion moves from "is that a crack?" to "what does the lease say about it?". That is the point of an independent inspector and of a report format that shows status by module.