A system for assessing an affected area of an aircraft is disclosed. A reference marker having a known size is placed along an exterior of the aircraft. The system includes a portable electronic device including a processor in communication with a structural database. The structural database includes a template that defines a maximum allowable size of damage to the aircraft. The processor executes an instruction for determining an actual size of the affected area based on the known size of the reference marker. The processor executes an instruction for comparing the actual size of the affected area of the aircraft with the maximum allowable size of damage to the aircraft. The processor executes an instruction for determining if the actual size of the affected area exceeds the maximum allowable size of damage to the aircraft. The processor executes an instruction for determining a further action.