Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need separate SDR accounts for different companies?
A. Yes. SDR accounts must be different for each designator, and the account holder must have a different email address for each.

Q. I am an FAA Inspector. Do I need an SDR account to review my carrier’s reports?
A. No. You can review reports using the “Search All Processed Reports” function without creating an SDR account. Additionally, SDR and M or D data is available at Aviation Safety (AVInfo) Data Categories.

Q. Will my account go Inactive if I don’t use it for an extended period of time?
A. Yes. We periodically conduct account audits and reviews to verify activity and user information as a security measure. If an account is dormant, it will be closed.

Q. How do I change my email address on my account?
A. Email the request to 9-AMC-SDR-ProgMgr@faa.gov.

Q. When should I submit a report to the FAA?
A. A report should be filed whenever any system, component, or part of an aircraft, powerplant, propeller, or appliance fails to function normally, or when any flaw or imperfection exists that could impair future function. Reports must be submitted in accordance with applicable FAA regulations.

Q. Are SDR and Malfunction/Defect (MorD) reports kept in separate databases?
A. No. Regardless of the reporting type—MRRs, MorDs, MDRs, or SDRs—all reports are converted into a common SDR format and stored in the SDRS database. These records are available to FAA personnel, industry users, and the public.

Q. Why can’t I find my report?
A. Reports must complete the Quality Control review process before becoming available. If the record is needed urgently for FAA purposes, you may request expedited processing by emailing 9-AMC-SDR-ProgMgr@faa.gov.

Q. On the Recent Submission List, why does my record show as deleted?
A. Most likely, the record was rejected because it did not meet the regulatory requirements for a reportable SDR event. In many cases, the Unique Control Number requires proper formatting to meet system standards.

Q. How do I submit supplemental information/corrections to a report that was previously submitted?
A. For SDR reports, use the Supplemental Batch Upload process using the same Unique Control Number as the original report. For Malfunction or Defect (M and D) submissions, create a new record and in the description box, enter original control number from the original report. In the future, there will be other options to update or correct reports via an onscreen panel using retrieved submissions.

Q. What if I can’t find an aircraft in the lookup table?
A. Enter the aircraft information as best as possible. If the aircraft is not in the lookup table, it will be added and available for future use.

Q. What do I do if I can’t find a Part, Engine, or Component on the Look-Up table?
A. Enter the Part, Engine, or Component and if we can’t find it in our Look-Up tables, we will add them and they will be available in the future.

Q. How do I submit a report for components only?
A. If a Part 145 Repair Station is working solely on components and not an aircraft, complete Section 5 (Specific Part or Structure Causing Difficulty) with the defective part information, and Section 6 (Component/Assembly That Includes Defective Part) with the component details. Aircraft, engine, or propeller information is not required. If detailed information is unavailable at the time of submission, enter the available component information in Section 5 and submit a supplemental report once the cause of the defect is identified. Use the same Unique Control Number for the supplemental.

Q. Can I attach photographs or documents when submitting a Service Difficulty Report (SDR) or Malfunction/Defect Report?
A. At this time, attachments such as photographs or supporting documents cannot be uploaded through the submission system.