3/13/00 AC-21-29B
(d) A distributor and/or supplier’s in ability to provide substantiating documentation that the part was produced pursuant to an FAA approval; or inspected, repaired, overhauled, preserved or altered in accordance with the CFR.
Note: To assist in alleviating issues regarding “lack of documentation” and improve “traceability,” the FAA published AC 00-56, Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program. The AC describes a system for the voluntary accreditation of civil aircraft parts distributors on the basis of voluntary industry oversight, and provides information that may be used for developing accreditation programs.
Purchasers conducting business with participants in this program should not be discouraged from implementing their own procurement and acceptance procedures (as outlined in AC 00-56). The Airline Suppliers Association maintains a listing of participants in the voluntary program on the Internet at the following address:
http://www.airlinesuppliers.com.
b. Acceptance procedures. Procedures should include a means of identifying SUP during the receiving inspection and prevent their acceptance. Suggested areas to be addressed include the following:
(1) Confirm the packaging of the part identifies the supplier or distributor, and is free from alteration or damage.
(2) Verify that the actual part and delivery receipt reflect the same information as the purchase order regarding part number, serial number, and historical information (if applicable).
(3) Verify that the identification on the part has not been tampered with (e.g., serial number stamped over, label or part/serial numbers improper or missing, vibro-etch or serial numbers located at other than the normal location).
( 4 ) Ensure that the shelf life and/or life limit has not expired, if applicable.
(5) Conduct a visual inspection of the part and supporting documents to the extent necessary to determine if the part is traceable to an FAA-approved source. For detailed guidelines on the identification of replacement parts, refer to AC 20-62. The following are examples of positive forms of identification:
(a) FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag.
(b) Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) Form One.
(c) Maintenance records or release doc ument with approval for return to service.
(d) FAA TSO markings.
(e) FAA PMA markings.
(f) Shipping ticket / invoice from PAH.
(g) Direct ship authority letter from PAH.
(6) Evaluate any visible irregularities (e.g., altered or unusual surface, absence of required plating, evidence of prior usage, scratches, new paint over old, attempted exterior repair, pitting or corrosion).
(7) Conduct random sampling of standard hardware packaged in large quantities in a manner which corresponds to the type and quantity of the parts.
( 8 ) Segregate parts of questionable nature and attempt to resolve issues regarding questionable status of part (e.g., obtain necessary documentation if inadvertently not provided, or determine if irregularities are a result of shipping damage and handle accordingly).
c. Supplier Evaluations. Part 21 requires the quality control system of a PAH to provide a means of determining that supplier-produced components (e.g., materials, parts, and subassemblies) or services
(e.g., processes, calibration, etc.), conform to FAA-approved design data, and are in a condition for safe operation. Detailed information and guidance on this subject can be found in AC 21-20, Supplier Surveillance Procedures.
9. REPORTING PROCEDURES. Reports of SUP may originate from numerous sources such as incoming/receiving inspections, audits, facility surveillance, complaints, congressional inquiries, accident or incident investigations, or various service difficulty reports.
a. It is the FAA's policy to encourage the disclosure of information regarding aviation safety. As it is recognized that reporters may be concerned with the potential repercussions of reporting the discovery of parts which are alleged to be unapproved, the term "suspected unapproved parts" is utilized in this AC and throughout the reporting form. Although reports may be made anonymously, the submission of the reporter's name is requested to enable the FAA to verify information, and provide confirmation and/or follow-up to the reporter.
b. FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Notification, includes instructions for completion, and identifies the information needed to initiate a SUP investigation. It is included in this AC and can also be found at any FAA Office, or on the SUP Program Office Website at the following address: http://www.faa.gov/avr/sups.htm. Completed forms should be sent to the SUP Program Office at the FAX number or address listed below. If a reporter is not willing or able to complete FAA Form 8120-11, they may report a SUP by calling the SUP Program Office. When reporting by telephone, refer to FAA Form 8120-11, as the required information (from the caller) will be transcribed onto this form. The FAA Aviation Safety Hotline may also be called at (800) 255-1111, to report conditions affecting aviation safety, including reports of SUP.
Federal Aviation Administration FAX (703)-661-0113 SUP Program Office, AVR-20 Phone (703) 661-0580 45005 Aviation Drive Suite 214 Dulles, VA 20166-7541
c. Questions or comments regarding this AC or SUP related issues should be directed to the SUP Program Office. In addition to the address listed above, questions or comments may be forwarded through electronic mail via our website at the following address: http://www.faa.gov/avr/sups.htm.
/S/
Kenneth J. Reilly Manager, Suspected Unapproved Parts Program Office 10
Appendix 1 dated 3/13/00 has been deleted.