What should pilots do if they suspect maintenance issues during a pre-flight check?

When pilots suspect maintenance issues during a pre-flight check, the appropriate action is to report it to the maintenance team. This ensures that any potential safety concerns are addressed by qualified personnel who can assess and rectify the issue before departure. Safety is of the utmost importance in aviation, and addressing suspected maintenance issues prevents the risk of an in-flight emergency or failure.

Ignoring potential maintenance problems would compromise safety and could lead to serious consequences during the flight. Asking passengers for their opinion is not practical, as they lack the technical expertise to make informed decisions about aircraft maintenance. Proceeding with an engine run-up without resolving suspected issues could exacerbate any existing problems, possibly leading to engine failure or other malfunctions during flight. Thus, reporting the issue is the responsible and correct action for pilots to take.