EASA Form 53: certificate of release to service by a production organisation
EASA Form 53 is the certificate of release to service a production organisation approval holder issues after it has maintained a new aircraft it produced. It certifies that the work was carried out and that, in respect of that work, the aircraft is ready for release to service and in a condition for safe operation.
- Rules
- Part 21 Appendix IX; privilege in 21.A.163(f)
- Issued by
- A production organisation approval holder, for a new aircraft it has produced
- Signed by
- The organisation's certifying staff
- Used for
- Maintenance on a new aircraft before it leaves the production organisation
- Not used for
- Components (EASA Form 1) or maintenance by a Part-145 organisation (its own certificate of release to service)
When EASA Form 53 is used
A production organisation approval holder may maintain a new aircraft that it has produced and issue a certificate of release to service (EASA Form 53) in respect of that maintenance (21.A.163(f)). The form's own wording still cites 21.A.163(d), the point number from when the form was first published.
Source: 21.A.163 Privileges (production organisation approval); Part 21 Appendix IX: EASA Form 53
What EASA Form 53 contains
| Block | Name | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Header | Organisation and approval | The approved production organisation's name and its production organisation approval reference. |
| Aircraft | Aircraft, type, constructor number / registration | Identification of the aircraft that was maintained. |
| Work order | Work order | The work order under which the aircraft was maintained. |
| Work | Brief description of work performed | Should include a reference to the approved data used to perform the work. |
| Statement | Certification | Certifies that the work was carried out in accordance with 21.A.163 and that, for that work, the aircraft is ready for release to service and in a condition for safe operation. |
| Staff | Certifying staff name and signature | The certifying staff who release the aircraft. |
| Location | Location | Where the maintenance was performed, not the organisation's facilities if these differ. |
| Date | Date | Day, month, year. |
EASA Form 53B under Part 21 Light
EASA Form 53B is the Part 21 Light equivalent: a certificate of release to service in accordance with 21L.A.126(e) or 21L.A.273(8). Its content and completion instructions follow Form 53: a reference to the approved data in the work description, and the location where the maintenance was performed.
Frequently asked questions
Who can issue an EASA Form 53?
A production organisation approval holder, for maintenance on a new aircraft it has produced (21.A.163(f)).
What is the difference between EASA Form 53 and EASA Form 1?
Form 53 releases a new aircraft after maintenance by its production organisation. Form 1 releases engines, propellers, parts and appliances, and cannot be used to release an aircraft.
What should the work description on EASA Form 53 include?
A brief description of the work performed with a reference to the approved data used.
Which location goes on EASA Form 53?
The location where the maintenance was performed, not the location of the organisation's facilities if they differ.
Official text
This page follows the Easy Access Rules for Initial Airworthiness and Environmental Protection, November 2025. The regulation text is the reference; this page is a reading aid, not legal advice.
Ask about EASA Form 53
Ask Aviation.Bot a question about EASA Form 53 or the rules behind it. Answers link to the exact paragraph in the Easy Access Rules. The rule documents are free to read; the AI assistant starts with a free trial.