Suspected Unapproved Parts Details
The French CAA has informed EASA about an unapproved repair, detected by a French maintenance organisation, that was performed on an Elevator Servo Control with the P/N 31075-270 and S/N SM3999 by a hand-engraving modification to P/N 31075-670. The part was sent back to the supplier in France. Subsequent investigation led by the French DGAC and the part manufacturer revealed an unapproved repair of the assembly including a counterfeit Piston with the P/N 341045. The following findings were noted:
- Sub-component "Sleeve and Spool" design non compliant with Equipment standard PN31075-670
- Component "Piston" un-serialized (Non compliant with OEM’s Design)
- Component "Piston" : Poor Chromic anodizing (Visual Inspection - Suspicious)
- Component "Piston" : Probable Re-chrome operation done on it. Expected marking (Re-chrome traceability) not compliant with OEM’s specification.
Recommendation: Maintenance organisations, aircraft owners, operators, independent certifying staff, manufacturers, and parts suppliers are invited to make a determination of eligibility of this part for installation, before accepting such a part into their organisations or before fitting it to an aircraft.
If this part is found in stock, it is recommended that the part is quarantined to prevent installation until a determination can be made regarding its eligibility for installation.
It is also recommended to maintenance organisations, aircraft owners, and operators to check whether the unapproved part is already installed on in-service aircraft. If so, the part must be replaced with an approved one. The unapproved part shall be quarantined.
It is recommended that any new information, regarding the re-certification or scrapping of this part together with a copy of the relevant certificate, should be sent to the EASA at SDM [at] easa.europa.eu.
