If the pop-up indicator pin is found popped during preflight, which action should the pilot take?

• A. Write up
• B. Notify maintenance
• C. Reset the pin and continue
• D. Write up and notify maintenance

Answer: (D)

A popped pop-up indicator pin means a panel or latch isn’t secured and must be addressed before flight. The proper action is to write up the discrepancy and notify maintenance so it can be inspected and repaired before the aircraft flies. Resetting the pin and continuing treats the fault as if everything is okay, which could allow an unsecured panel to remain in place or fail later, creating a safety risk. Notifying maintenance alone without documenting the issue may leave the problem untracked, and writing up without escalation wouldn’t ensure a timely repair. Together, documenting and alerting maintenance ensures the issue is properly logged and addressed before departure.