Thanks for the responses fellas. My airline tracks the actual flight time of the aircraft for those maintenance reasons.

Military flight logging rules are better defined more black and white than civilian.

I think the reason pilots justify logging time even if no flight occured are multiple.

(1) you did operate the plane under its own power, intending to fly, until you cancelled or taxiied back. Under this assumption one could log that time up till the point of cancellation - the 'after landing' provision in the definition wouldn't apply - the definition assumes that flight occurs. That's the justification used, don't attack me for re-interpreting the definition.

(2) The PIC and FO still act as required crewmembers, managing the operation, checking the weather and status of the flight and fuel, or working the mechanical problem, and providing service to passengers. You're still working much as you would in flight, just not flying.

(3) You're getting paid (most are) just as you would in flight.

I'll check and see what I did in the past, and be consistent. Thanks again!