A system and method for determining whether an aircraft is ready to fly or should be repaired in light of damage and/or malfunction information observed at the departure gate includes observing damage or malfunction, alerting decision-makers, and initiating an automated interview session via a camera equipped communications device to a remote server running query driven decision and data analysis software. Data entered via the communications device, equipped with a keypad and camera for obtaining visual information, is transmitted to the remotely based software application. The software generates requests for information based on prior received information, processes and provides the information to decision-makers at remote locations. The communications device transmits decision-making support information concerning repair or dispatch. The communication device may be a wireless cell phone with a digital camera. The method and system produce a report for making repair and dispatch decisions concerning the aircraft. The information is stored in a database for statistical analysis.