What action is taken when a heat shield is missing or compromised during VI?

• A. Record a pass with note about heat exposure.
• B. Note it as a safety advisory only.
• C. Leave unrecorded.
• D. Record a failure due to heat shield integrity issues.

Answer: (D)

Missing or damaged heat shields create a clear safety risk because they protect fuel lines, wiring, and other components from excessive heat. In a visual inspection, that risk isn’t something you pass with a note or treat as a minor advisory; it’s a defect that must be documented as a failure due to heat shield integrity issues. Recording a repairable issue communicates the danger to the vehicle operator and ensures the vehicle doesn’t proceed with an unaddressed safety defect. Options that treat it as a pass with a note, a safety advisory, or simply leave it unrecorded would not adequately reflect the hazard or enforce necessary corrective action.