Definition
A nondestructive inspection method in which a part is cut apart, or an existing cross-section is examined, to look for internal defects such as cracks, voids, inclusions, or improper grain structure that cannot be seen from the outside.
Plain English
Cutting through a part, or looking at an exposed cross-section, to check what's going on inside it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance and structural repair discussions, especially when deciding whether damage can be repaired locally or whether a larger part must be replaced.
Derivation
From the Latin 'sectio,' meaning a cutting or dividing. In aviation, it refers literally to cutting a part to inspect its internal section.
Why Pilots Care
A sectioned repair must be done correctly and approved for the aircraft. A poor structural repair can affect strength, safety, and whether the aircraft is legal to fly.
Analogy
Like slicing open a loaf of bread to check whether the inside baked properly — the outside can look fine while hiding holes or flaws within.
Intuition Check
Do not read sectioning as just any cutting. In aircraft maintenance, it means a controlled repair: remove the damaged section and install a replacement section in an approved way.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine failure, the broken crankshaft was sent to the lab for sectioning to determine where the crack started.
Example Sentence 2
Careful sectioning of the wing rib allowed the replacement piece to match the original contour without introducing new stress points.