WARNING
(Please notethe following statements from
FAA
AdvisoryCircular20-62C entitled"ELIGIBILITY, QUALITY,AND IDENTIFICATION
OFAPPROVED REPLACEMENTPARTS):
3.
BACKGROUND.
An increasingamount of replacementparts(includingstandard parts),materials,
appliances,and instrumentsare offeredfor sale as beingof aircraft quality when actuallythe quality and
originoftheseunitsareunknown.Usersof suchunitsareusuallynotawareofthepotentialhazardsinvolved
with replacement parts that are not eligible for use on certificated aircraft. Frequently such units are
deceptivelyadvertised or presented as "unused," "like new," or "remanufactured." This impliesthat the
qualityof such unitsis equalto an original or appropriatelyrepaired or overhauled unit.
The performancerulesfor replacement of partsand materials used inthe maintenanceand alteration of
U.S. certificatedaircraft are specified in FederalAviation Regulations (FAR)
43.13
and FAR
145.57.
The
responsibilityforthecontinuedairworthinessof theaircraft,whichincludesthe replacement of parts,isthe
responsibility of the owner/operatoras outlined in FAR
91.163,
FAR
121.363,
FAR
123.45,
FAR
127.131
and FAR
135.143
(a).
4.
IDENTIFICATIONOFTHEAPPROVED PARTS.
Approved serviceable replacement
partsare identifiedasfollows:
a. Byan FAA Form
8130-3
(FormerlyFAA Form
186),
AirworthinessApproval Tag. An Airworthiness
Approval Tag identifies a part or group of parts that have been approved by authorized FAA
representatives.
b. ByanFAATechnicalStandardOrder (TSO) numberandidentificationmarkthat indicatesthe partor
appliancehas beenmanufacturedunderthe requirementsof FAR
37.
c. ByanFAA/PMA symbol,togetherwiththemanufacturer'sname,trademark orsymbol, part number,
andthe makeand modelof thetype certificatedproduct onwhichthe part is eligiblefor installation,
stampedonthe part. An FAA Parts ManufacturerApproval (FAA/PMA) is issued under FAR
21.305.
The makeand model informationmay beon atag attachedtothe
part.
d. Byshippingticket, invoice, or other documentwhich provides evidencethatthe part was produced
bya manufacturer holding an FAA Approved Production InspectionSystem issued under FAR
21,
SubpartF, orbyamanufacturerholdinganFAA ProductionCertificateissuedunderFAR
21,
Subpart
G.
e.
Bya certificateof airworthiness for export issued bya foreign government under the provisionsof
FAR
21,
Subpart
N.
11.
KNOW YOUR SUPPLIER.
It has come to our attention that many reproduced parts and
components, particularlyinstrumentswhich have been manufacturedby personsother than the original
manufacturer,areavailablefor purchaseandinstallationon
U.S.
certificatedaircraft. Often, anoriginalpart
isusedasasampletoproduceduplicates.The reproducedpartsappeartobeasgoodas theoriginalpart;
however, there are many unknown factors to be considered that may not be readily apparent to the
purchaser,i.e., heattreating, plating,inspections,testsand calibrations.All too oftenthe faultypart is not
discovereduntila malfunctionor anaccidentoccurs.
12.
SUMMARY.
In
accordancewithFAR'S,certificationof materials, parts,andappliancesforreturn
toservice, for useonaircraft, isthe responsibility ofthe person oragency who signsthe approval.
The ownerloperator, as denoted inparagraph
3
ofthis advisory circular, is responsiblefor the continued
airworthinessof the aircraft.To assure continuedsafetyinaircraftoperation,
it
isessential that great care
beused when inspecting, testing, and determiningthe acceptabilityof all partsand materials. Particular
cautionshould be exercisedwhen the identityof materials, parts, and appliances cannot be established
orwhentheir originisindoubt.
