U.S. Department

of Transportation

Federal Aviation

Administration

 Advisory

 Circular

1

Subject: ELIGIBILITY, QUALITY, AND Date: 5/24/96 AC No: 20-62D

IDENTIFICATION OF AERONAUTICAL Initiated by: AFS-340 Change:

REPLACEMENT PARTS

1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) provides information and guidance for use in determining

the quality, eligibility and traceability of aeronautical parts and materials intended for installation on U.S.

type-certificated products and to enable compliance with the applicable regulations.

2. CANCELLATION. AC 20-62C, Eligibility, Quality, and Identification of Approved Aeronautical

Replacement Parts, dated August 26, 1976, is canceled.

3. RELATED REGULATORY SECTIONS. (Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)):

a. Part 1, Definitions and Abbreviations.

b. Part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and Parts.

c. Part 39, Airworthiness Directives.

d. Part 43, Maintenance, Preventative Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration.

e. Part 45, Identification and Registration Marking.

f. Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules.

g. Part 119, Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators

h. Part 121, Certification and Operations: Domestic, Flag and Supplemental Air Carriers and Commercial

Operators of Large Aircraft.

i. Part 125, Certification and Operation: Airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers

or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more.

j. Part 135, Air Taxi Operators and Commercial Operators.

k. Part 145, Repair Stations.

4. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions apply to this AC:

a. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-Approved Parts. Under 14 CFR part 21, section 21.305,

parts which were produced under an FAA-approved production system and conform with FAA-approved

data, may be approved under the following:

(1) A Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) issued under section 21.303.

(2) A Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) issued by the Administrator.

(3) In conjunction with type certification procedures for a product.
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AC 20-62D 5/24/96

(4) In any manner approved by the Administrator, such as part 21, subpart F, Parts Produced Under

a Type Certificate (TC), and subpart G, Production Certificate (PC). In addition, subpart N provides for

the acceptance of a new part produced in a country with which the United States has an agreement for

the acceptance of parts for export and import. The part is approved when the country of manufacture issues

a certificate of airworthiness for export for the part.

b. Acceptable Parts. The following parts may be found to be acceptable for installation on a typecertificated product:

(1) Standard parts (such as nuts and bolts) conforming to an established industry or U.S. specification.

(2) Parts produced by an owner or operator for maintaining or altering their own product and

which are shown to conform with FAA-approved data.

(3) Parts for which inspections and tests have been accomplished by appropriately certificated persons authorized to determine conformity to FAA-approved design data.

c. Class I Product. A complete aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller that has been type-certificated

in accordance with the applicable regulations, and for which Federal Aviation Specifications or TC data

sheets have been issued.

d. Class II Product. A major component of a Class I product (e.g., wings, fuselages, empennage

assemblies, landing gears, power transmissions, or control surfaces, etc.), the failure of which would jeopardize

the safety of a Class I product; or any part, material, or appliance, approved and manufactured under the

Technical Standard Order (TSO) system in the ‘‘C’’ series.

e. Class III Product. Any part or component that is not a Class I or Class II product, including

standard parts. Class III products are considered to be parts.

f. Standard Part. Is a part manufactured in complete compliance with an established U.S. Government

or industry-accepted specification which includes design, manufacturing, and uniform identification requirements. The specification must include all information necessary to produce and conform the part. The specification must be published so that any party may manufacture the part. Examples include, but are not limited

to, National Aerospace Standards (NAS), Air Force-Navy Aeronautical Standard (AN), Society of Automotive

Engineers (SAE), SAE Aerospace Standard (AS), Military Standard (MS), etc.

g. New. A product, accessory, part, or material that has no operating time or cycles.

NOTE: There could be time/cycles on a newly type-certificated product (e.g., use of a

manufacturer’s test cell or certification requirements).

h. Surplus. Describes a product, assembly, part, or material that has been released as surplus by

the military, manufacturers, owners/operators, repair facilities, or any other parts supplier. These products

should show traceability to an FAA-approved manufacturing procedure.

i. Overhauled. Describes an airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part using

methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator, which has undergone the following:

(1) Has been disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired when necessary, and reassembled to the

extent possible.

(2) Has been tested in accordance with approved standards and technical data, or current standards

and technical data acceptable to the Administrator (i.e., manufacturer’s data), which have been developed

and documented by the holder of one of the following:

(a) TC.

(b) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), or material, part, process, or appliance approval under

section 21.305.
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5/24/96 AC 20-62D

(c) PMA.

j. Rebuilt. Describes an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, using new or used

parts that conform to new part tolerances and limits or to approved oversized or undersized dimensions

that has undergone the following:

(1) Has been disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, and reassembled to the extent

possible.

(2) Has been tested to the same tolerances and limits as a new item.

k. Return to Service Inspection Records. The person approving or disapproving for return to service

a type-certificated product must ensure that the required maintenance record entries comply with 14 CFR

part 43, and therefore must include the following information:

(1) Type of inspection and a brief description of the extent of the inspection.

(2) Date.

(3) Product hours, cycles, or life limits as applicable.

(4) Signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving or disapproving

for return to service.

(5) The appropriate certifying statement that the product or part thereof, is approved or disapproved

for return to service, as applicable.

l. As Is. Describes any airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, component part, or material,

the condition of which is unknown.

m. Appropriately Certificated Person. As related to return to service after maintenance, preventative

maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration, can include the holder of a:

(1) Mechanic certificate. May perform maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations as

provided in 14 CFR part 65.

(2) Inspection authorization. May inspect and approve for return to service any aircraft or related

part or appliance (except aircraft maintained in accordance with a continuous airworthiness program under

part 121 or 127) after a major repair or alteration as provided in part 43 if the work was done in accordance

with technical data approved by the administrator. Perform an annual, or supervise a progressive inspection

according to 14 CFR part 43, sections 43.13 and 43.15.

(3) Repair station certificate under 14 CFR part 145. May perform maintenance, preventative maintenance, or alterations as provided in part 145.

(4) Air carriers operating may perform maintenance, preventative maintenance, or alterations as

provided 14 CFR part 119, 121, 127, 129, or 135.

(5) Private pilot certificate (for performing preventative maintenance). May perform preventative

maintenance described in part 43, appendix A on any aircraft operated by the pilot except, those aircraft

operated under part 119, 121, 125, 127, 129, or 135.

(6) Manufacturer’s type or production certificate. May rebuild or alter any aircraft, aircraft engine,

or propeller, or appliance manufactured by him under a TSOA, PMA, or Product or Parts Specification,

or perform any inspection required under 14 CFR part 91 or 125 while currently operating under a production

certificate or approved production inspection system.
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AC 20-62D 5/24/96

n. Owner/Operator Produced Part. Parts that were produced by an owner/operator for installation

on their own aircraft (e.g., by a certificated air carrier). An owner/operator is considered a producer of a

part, if the owner participated in controlling the design, manufacture, or quality of the part. Participating

in the design of the part can include supervising the manufacture of the part or providing the manufacturer

with the following: the design data, the materials with which to make the part, the fabrication processes,

assembly methods, or the quality control procedures.

5. RELATED READING MATERIALS.

a. Copies of current editions of the following publications may be obtained free of charge from the

U.S. Department of Transportation, Subsequent Distribution Office, Ardmore East Business Center, 3341

Q 75th Avenue, Landover, MD 20785.

(1) AC 21-13, Standard Airworthiness Certification of Surplus Military Aircraft and Aircraft Built

from Spare and Surplus Parts.

(2) AC 21-20, Supplier Surveillance Procedures.

(3) AC 21-23, Airworthiness Certification of Civil Aircraft, Engines, Propellers, and Related Products Imported to the United States

(4) AC 21-29, Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts.

(5) AC 21-38, Disposition of Unsalvageable Aircraft Parts and Materials.

(6) AC 43-9, Maintenance Records.

(7) FAA Order 8000.50, Repair Station Production of Replacement or Modification Parts.

(8) FAA Order 8130.21, Procedures for Completion and Use of FAA Form 8130-3 Airworthiness

Approval Tag.

(9) FAA Order 8120.10, Suspected Unapproved Part Program.

(10) FAA Order 8120.2, Production Approval And Surveillance Procedures.

b. Copies of current editions of the following AC’s may be purchased from the Superintendent of

Documents. Make check or money order payable to the Superintendent of Documents.

(1) AC 21-2, Export Airworthiness Approval Procedures.

(2) AC 21-6, Production Under Type Certificate Only.

(3) AC 21-18, Bilateral Airworthiness Agreements.

(4) AC 43.13-1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices--Aircraft Inspection and Repair.

(5) AC 43.13-2, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices--Aircraft Alterations.

6. DISCUSSION. The FAA continues to receive reports of replacement parts being offered for sale as

aircraft quality when the quality and origin of the parts are unknown or questionable. Such parts may be

advertised or presented as ‘‘unused,’’ ‘‘like new,’’ or ‘‘remanufactured.’’ These imply that the quality of

the parts is equal to an acceptable part. Purchasers of these parts may not be aware of the potential hazards

involved with replacement parts for which acceptability for installation on a type-certificated product has

not been established.

a. The performance rules for replacement of parts and materials used in the maintenance, preventive

maintenance, and alteration of aircraft that have (or have had) a U.S. airworthiness certificate, and components

thereof, are specified in 14 CFR parts 43 and 145, sections 43.13 and 145.57. These rules require that the

installer of a part use methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the FAA. Additionally, the installer

of a part must accomplish the work in such a manner and use materials of such quality, that the product
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5/24/96 AC 20-62D

or appliance worked on will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition with respect to

the qualities affecting airworthiness.

b. The continued airworthiness of an aircraft, which includes the replacement of parts, is the responsibility of the owner/operator, as specified in 14 CFR parts 91, 119, 121, 125, and 135, sections 91.403, 121.363,

125.243, and 135.413. These rules require that the installer determine that a part is acceptable for installation

on a product or component prior to returning that product or component to service with the part installed.

Those rules also require that the installation of a part must be accomplished in accordance with data approved

by the FAA, if the installation constitutes a major repair or alteration.

c. As part of determining whether installation of a part conforms with all applicable regulations, the

installer should establish that the part was manufactured under a production approval pursuant to part 21,

that an originally acceptable part has been maintained in accordance with part 43, or that the part is otherwise

acceptable for installation (e.g., has been found to conform to data approved by the FAA). This AC addresses

means to help the installer make the required determinations.

7. IDENTIFICATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS. Acceptable replacement parts should be identified

using one of the following methods:

a. Airworthiness Approval Tag. FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag, identifies a part

or group of parts for export approval and conformity determination from production approval holders. It

also serves as approval for return to service after maintenance or alteration by an authorized part 145 Repair

Station, or a U.S. Air Carrier having an approved Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program under

part 135.

b. Foreign Manufactured Replacement Parts. New foreign manufactured parts for use on U.S. typecertificated products may be imported when there is a bilateral airworthiness agreement between the country

of manufacture and the United States and the part meets the requirements under section 21.502.

(1) The certification may be verified on a form similar to the FAA Form 8130-3 (i.e., Joint Aviation

Authority (JAA), JAA Form One), used by European member countries of the JAA with which the U.S.

has a bilateral airworthiness agreement. The JAA is an organization of European member nations that has

the responsibility to develop JAA regulations and policy. The procedures and the countries with which the

U.S. has bilateral airworthiness agreements and the condition of the agreements, are contained in AC 21-

23.

(2) Used parts may be identified by the records required for approval for return to service as

set forth in section 43.9. FAA Form 8130-3 may be used for this purpose if the requirements of section

43.9 are contained in or attached to the form and approved for return to service by a U.S. FAA-certificated

repair station or U.S. air carrier under the requirement of their Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program.

There is no set format or form required for a maintenance or alteration record. However, the data or information

used to identify a part must be traceable to a person authorized to perform and approve for return to service

maintenance and alteration under part 43. The records must contain as a minimum those data that set forth

in section 43.9.

(3) The use of an authorization tag does not approve the installation of a part on a type-certificated

product. Additional substantiated authorization for compliance with part 43 and the FAA-approved data for

major repairs and alterations may be required for installation on a type-certificated product.

c. FAA TSO Markings. TSOA is issued under section 21.607, subpart O. A TSOA must be permanently and legibly marked with the following:

(1) Name and address of the manufacturer.

(2) The name, type, part number, or model designation of the article.

(3) The serial number or the date of manufacture of the article or both.
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AC 20-62D 5/24/96

(4) The applicable TSO number.

d. FAA-PMA Symbol. An FAA-PMA is issued under section 21.303. Each PMA part should be

marked with the letters, ‘‘FAA-PMA,’’ in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, section 45.15:

(1) The name.

(2) Trademark, or symbol.

(3) Part number.

(4) Name and model designation of each certificated product on which the part is eligible for

installation.

NOTE: Parts that are too small or otherwise impractical to be marked may, as an alternative, be marked

showing the above information on an attached tag or labeled container. If the marking on the tag

is too extensive to be practical, the tag attached to a part or container may refer to a readily available

manual or catalog for part eligibility information. Under a licensing agreement, when the applicant

has been given the right to use the TC holder’s design, which includes the part number, and a replacement

part is produced under that agreement, the part number may be identical to that of the TC holder,

provided that the PMA holder includes the letters, ‘‘FAA-PMA,’’ and the PMA holder’s identification

symbol is on the part. In all other cases, the PMA holder’s part number must be different from that

of the TC holder.

e. Shipping Ticket, Invoice, or Other Production Approval Holder’s (PAH) Documents or Markings.

These may provide evidence that a part was produced by a manufacturer holding an FAA-approved manufacturing process.

f. Direct Ship Authority. In order for U.S. manufactured parts, with ‘‘direct ship’’ authority to be

recognized as being produced under a manufacturer’s FAA production approval, the manufacturer must specifically authorize the shipping supplier, in writing, and must establish procedures to ensure that the shipped

parts conform to the approved design and are in condition for safe operation. A statement to the supplier

from the certificate holder authorizing direct shipment and date of authorization, should be included on the

shipping ticket, invoice, or other transfer document. It should contain a declaration that the individual part

was produced under a production certificate.

g. Maintenance Release Document. A release, signed by an appropriately certificated person, qualified

for the relevant function that signifies that the item has been returned to service, after a maintenance or

test function has been completed. This type of documentation could be in the form of a repair station tag,

containing adequate information (section 43.9), work order, FAA Form 337, FAA Form 8130-3, or a maintenance record entry, which must include an appropriate description of the maintenance work performed, including the recording requirements of section 43.9 and Appendix B.

NOTE: When a noncertificated person certifies that they are shipping the correct part

ordered, the only thing they are stating is that the part number agrees with the purchase

order, not the status of FAA acceptability of the part.

8. INFORMATION RELEVANT TO USED PARTS. The following information may be useful when

assessing maintenance records and part status.

a. Documentation. If the part has been rebuilt, overhauled, inspected, modified, or repaired, the records

should include a maintenance release, return to service tag, repaired parts tag, or similar documentation

from an FAA-certificated person. Documentation describing the maintenance performed and parts replaced

must be made for the part (i.e., FAA Form 8130-3 or FAA Repair Station work order). (Reference section

43.9 and Appendix B).

b. Information that should be obtained. The records should include information, either directly or

by reference, to support documentation that may be helpful to the user or installer in making a final determina-
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5/24/96 AC 20-62D

tion, as to the airworthiness and eligibility of the part. Listed are examples of information that should be

obtained, as applicable:

(1) AD status.

(2) Compliance or noncompliance with service bulletins.

(3) Life/cycle limited parts status (i.e., time, time since overhaul, cycles, history) should be substantiated. If the part is serialized and life-limited, then both operational time and/or cycles (where applicable)

must be indicated. Historical records that clearly establish and substantiate time and cycles must be provided

as evidence.

(4) Shelf-life data, including manufacturing date or cure date.

(5) Return to service date.

(6) Shortages applicable to assemblies or kits.

(7) Import or export certification documents.

(8) The name of the person who removed the part.

(9) FAA Form 337, Major Repair or Alteration.

(10) Maintenance Manual standards used for performing maintenance.

c. Unusual Circumstances. If a particular part was obtained from any of the following, then it should

be so identified by some type of documentation (i.e., maintenance record entries, removal entries, overhaul

records).

(1) Noncertificated aircraft (aircraft without airworthiness certificate, i.e., public use, non-U.S., and

military surplus aircraft).

(2) Aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers or appliances subjected to extreme stress, sudden stoppage,

heat, major failure or accident.

(3) Salvaged aircraft or aircraft components.

d. Seller’s Designation. The seller may be able to provide documentation that shows traceability

to an FAA-approved manufacturing procedure for one of the following:

(1) Parts produced by an FAA PAH by TC, PC, PMA, TSOA.

(2) Parts produced by a foreign manufacturer (in accordance with part 21, subpart N).

(3) Standard parts produced by a named manufacturer.

(4) Parts distributed with direct ship authority.

(5) Parts produced, for the work being accomplished, by a repair station to accomplish a repair

or alteration on a specific type-certificated product.

(6) Parts produced by an owner or operator for installation on the owner’s or operator’s aircraft

(e.g., by a certificated air carrier).

(7) Parts with removal records showing traceability to a U.S.-certificated aircraft, signed by an

appropriately certificated person.

e. Manufactured. The manufacturer of the part should be identified; if not identified it may be difficult

to prove that the part is acceptable for installation on a type-certificated product.

f. Certificates and Approvals Held.
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AC 20-62D 5/24/96

(1) Manufacturers - The certificate or approval held by the manufacturer, TC, PC, TSOA, or PMA

may be listed; if not known, state as unknown.

(2) Air Agencies - The certificate held by the Air Agencies, part 145 may be listed; if not known,

state as unknown.

(3) Air Operator - The certificate held by Air Operators, parts 119, 121, 125, and 135.

g. Part Description. Indicate the part’s physical description for positive identification.

h. Part Number. Document the manufacturer’s part number or, if the part has been modified, the

amended part number.

i. Serial Number. Document the specific part’s serial number, if so marked. Determine if serialized

part has any life or overhaul limitations.

9. SURPLUS. Many materials, parts, appliances, and components that have been released as surplus by

the military service or by manufacturers may originate from obsolete or overstocked items. Parts obtained

from surplus sources may be used, provided it is established that they meet the standards to which they

were manufactured, interchangeability with the original part can be established, and they are in compliance

with all applicable AD’s. Such items, although advertised as ‘‘remanufactured,’’ ‘‘high quality,’’ ‘‘like new,’’

‘‘unused,’’ or ‘‘looks good,’’ should be carefully evaluated before they are purchased. The storage time,

storage conditions, or shelf life of surplus parts and materials are not usually known.

10. CONDITION FOR SAFE OPERATION. Parts and materials should be properly stored, protected,

and maintained to ensure airworthiness. The following factors should be considered when determining airworthiness:

a. Composite Materials. Generally, most composite materials (thermoset polymers) have a refrigeration shelf-life recommended by the manufacturer. Composite materials must be kept refrigerated in accordance

with the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range and out-of-refrigeration time (out-time) limitations.

Records must be maintained of the cumulative total of material out-time to prevent exceeding shelf-life.

b. Anti-friction Bearings. Anti-friction bearings that have been in storage for a long period of time,

or have been improperly stored, are subject to the deteriorating effects of time and elements, unless they

were hermetically sealed. Such parts should be completely inspected and lubricated before being placed in

service.

c. Aircraft Fabric. Fabric and prefabricated covers should be used only if they are identifiable as

meeting aircraft standards. All fabric should be examined or tested for freedom from deterioration, as determined by an appropriately certificated person.

d. Dope, Paint, Sealants, and Adhesives. These items advertised as aircraft quality may have deteriorated due to age or environmental conditions, while in storage, and may require testing before use.

e. Parts with Internal Seals. Internal seals on parts such as pumps, valves, actuators, motors, generators, and alternators are subject to deterioration from long-term storage and are susceptible to early failure

in service. A procedure should be established for control of shelf-life items in order to prevent possible

premature failures of the parts/components, unless other preventive procedures are in place.

f. Rotating Components. Rotating components, such as propellers, engine parts, and rotor blades,

may have a life-limit or retirement life. Maintenance records should reflect a complete continuity of service

time and repair history. Information that indicates whether the component has exceeded the life limit may,

in some cases, be obtained from the manufacturer or from an FAA-approved repair station that may have

affixed a logo, decal, or some other identification.

g. Heat and Fire. Parts that may have been exposed to heat or fire can be seriously affected and

are likely unserviceable.
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5/24/96 AC 20-62D

h. Corrosives. Foreign or corrosive liquids can also be detrimental on aircraft parts. Parts, appliances,

and components that have been submerged in salt water may be unserviceable parts.

i. Manufacturing Rejects. Parts that failed the manufacturers quality assurance inspection criteria

for conformity to type design, may be offered for sale by the manufacturers as scrap without being mutilated

or destroyed rendering them unusable, and are unacceptable for installation.

j. Damaged Aircraft. Parts removed from an aircraft involved in an accident may have been subjected

to undue stresses that may have seriously effected structural integrity and rendered them permanently unusable.

k. Rebuilt Engines. Only engines that are rebuilt by a manufacturer holding an FAA production

approval, an agency approved by the PAH, or an appropriately rated FAA-certificated agency can be considered

as zero-timed (reference section 91.421).

11. ELECTRICAL PARTS AND INSTRUMENTS.

a. Electronic Kits. Kits assembled by noncertificated individuals are not eligible for installation on

type-certificated aircraft, until the part is certified as airworthy and found eligible for installation, in accordance

with parts 21 and 43. During and after assembly, these kits should receive documented conformity inspections,

by properly certificated persons, to ensure that they meet all applicable airworthiness requirements, for use

on the specific aircraft on which they are to be installed. The installation of these approved units should

be accomplished by or under the supervision of a properly certificated person or agency in accordance with

parts 21 and 43. When the installation is a major alteration, the kit data and the data used for the alteration

of the product must be approved by a representative of the Administrator. An appropriately certificated person

must complete the maintenance records to ensure that the aircraft is approved and airworthy for return to

service.

b. Discrete Electrical and Electronic Component Parts. Electrical and electronic parts, such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors, if not specifically marked by the equipment manufacturers part number

or marking scheme, may be substituted or used as replacement parts, provided that such parts are tested

or it is determined that they meet their published performance specifications and do not adversely affect

the performance of the equipment or article into or onto which they are installed. The performance of such

equipment or article must be equal to its original or properly altered or repaired condition. Integrated circuits

such as hybrids, large scale integrated circuits (LSIC), programmable logic devices, gate arrays, application

specific integrated circuits (ASIC), memories, CPU’s etc., are not included because their highly specialized

functionality does not readily lend itself to substitution.

c. Aircraft Instruments. Instruments advertised as ‘‘high quality,’’ ‘‘looks good,’’ or ‘‘remanufactured’’ or that were acquired from aircraft involved in an accident should not be put in service unless they

are inspected, tested, and/or overhauled as necessary, by an appropriately rated FAA-certificated repair station,

and the installer establishes that (for the aircraft in which) the instrument installed will comply with the

applicable regulations.

NOTE: Instruments are highly susceptible to hidden damage caused by rough handling

or improper storage conditions; therefore, instruments that have been sitting on a shelf

for a period that cannot be established, should be tested by an appropriately rated FAAcertificated person.

12. KNOW YOUR SUPPLIERS.

a. Used and Repaired Parts. In addition to unapproved parts, used or repaired parts may be offered

for sale as ‘‘like new,’’ ‘‘near new,’’ and ‘‘remanufactured.’’ Such terms do not aid the purchaser in positively

determining whether the part is acceptable for installation on a type-certificated product and do not constitute

the legal serviceability and condition of aircraft parts.
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AC 20-62D 5/24/96

b. Caution. It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure airworthiness. Aircraft parts distributors, aircraft

supply companies or aircraft electronic parts distributors, unless they are a PAH, cannot certify the airworthiness

of the parts they advertise and/or sell; therefore, it is the installer’s responsibility to request documentation

establishing traceability to a PAH.

13. REPORTING SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PARTS (SUP).

a. SUP. SUP’s are parts, components, or materials that may not be approved or acceptable, as described

in paragraphs 4a and 4b. Some appear to be as good as the part manufactured from an FAA-approved

source; however, there may be manufacturing processes that were not performed in accordance with FAAapproved data or possibly not performed at all, and would not be readily apparent to the purchaser (e.g.,

heat treating, plating, or various tests and inspections).

b. Persons with possible knowledge of safety violations or other circumstances that may affect aviation

safety are encouraged to report them in accordance with AC 21-29, Detecting and Reporting Suspected

Unapproved Parts. This AC includes procedures for referral of such reports to the appropriate FAA office.

Reports may be filed by using FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Notification, or by calling

the toll free FAA Aviation Safety Hotline at 1-800-255-1111.

14. SUMMARY. The approval for return to service after maintenance of aircraft, engines, propellers,

appliances, and materials and parts thereof, is the responsibility of the person who performs the maintenance

and who signs the record for approval for return to service. The owner/operator (as noted in paragraph

6b) is responsible for the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. To ensure continued safety in civil aviation,

it is essential that appropriate data is used when inspecting, testing, and determining the acceptability of

all parts and materials. Particular caution should be exercised when the origin of parts, materials, and appliances

cannot be established or when their origin is in doubt.

William J. White

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service