FAA Revises AC on Suspected Unapproved Parts

The FAA is seeking comments on a proposed change to Advisory Circular 21-29C, "Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts," dated July 22, 2008, and subsequent changes. The revised AC 21-29D, "Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts" changes the responsible organization from the FAA’s Flight Standards Service to the Aircraft Certification Service, deletes irrelevant material, reorganizes selected sections and clarifies selected definitions.

Airworthiness of aeronautical products might be in question if the design and quality of the parts are unknown, the FAA said. Positive identification of unapproved parts can be difficult if the parts display characteristics similar to those of an approved part, it noted.

The revised publication contains guidelines for a facility’s receiving section to evaluate received parts and their sources. These guidelines are intended to help prevent the procurement, receipt and installation of unapproved parts into aircraft and aviation components. Public comments are due September 28 and can be emailed to [email protected].