Definition
A condition in which an engine or component has exceeded its maximum allowable operating temperature, even briefly. An overtemp event typically requires logbook documentation, inspection, and may require maintenance action before the aircraft can return to service.
Plain English
The engine or part got hotter than it is allowed to get. Even a short spike counts, and it usually has to be written up and checked before the airplane flies again.
Context Anchor
Seen in engine-start, takeoff, climb, and aircraft-limit discussions, especially when monitoring engine instruments.
Derivation
A shortened combination of 'over' (beyond) and 'temperature.' The clipped form is standard maintenance and pilot shorthand.
Why Pilots Care
An overtemp can damage engine components, shorten service life, or lead to immediate failure if corrective action is not taken.
Intuition Check
Overtemp does not just mean the engine is warm or running a little hot. It means a stated temperature limit has been exceeded.
Example Sentence 1
After the hot start, the EGT briefly exceeded the limit, so the pilot logged an overtemp and grounded the aircraft until maintenance could inspect it.
Example Sentence 2
Maintenance records noted a brief overtemp during the previous flight that required a borescope inspection.