Looking to help combat the flow of unapproved aircraft parts into the propulsion supply chain, the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition has released a report recommending several actions.
Among them are promoting the use of suppliers that meet the FAA’s recommended standards in Advisory Circular 00-56B or an equivalent EASA or other international standard; digitizing key documents for parts and expanding the use of digital signatures; adopting training best practices for receiving and inspecting parts, along with best practices for scrapping or destroying non-usable parts; and developing feedback channels to identify bad actors to accreditors of suppliers.
The report, generated over the past nine months by the GE Aviation-led coalition, came after a UK-based dealer was accused of selling thousands of engine parts with counterfeited documentation. The coalition includes senior representatives from major airlines, airframers, engine makers, and maintenance providers, and is headed by former NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt and former U.S. Department of Transportation deputy secretary John Porcari.
“These recommendations will close holes and add new layers of safety to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain,” said Sumwalt.
The coalition has shared its report with the FAA and EASA, along with law enforcement officials. Several of the coalition members have already begun implementing the recommendations.