How should MEL documentation be recorded?

• A. MEL details are recorded in the crew rest log.
• B. MEL documentation is optional.
• C. The MEL item, its current status, the anticipated repair action, and the authority granting maintenance approval in the dispatch and maintenance logs.
• D. Only the MEL item name.

Answer: (C)

MEL documentation must be recorded in the dispatch and maintenance logs to ensure a clear, auditable record that both flight operations and maintenance share the same status and actions. The MEL item itself, its current status (for example, inoperative, deferred, or tested), the anticipated repair action (what will be done and when), and the authority granting maintenance approval (who authorized the deferral or action) all need to be documented together. This creates traceability, supports safe dispatch decisions, and meets regulatory and airline procedures.

Storing MEL details in the crew rest log would isolate maintenance information from where it’s acted on and tracked, making it harder to verify status during flight planning or after an inspection. Saying documentation is optional contradicts the requirement for traceability and compliance. Recording only the MEL item name fails to capture the essential context needed for safe operations and proper maintenance authorization.