FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 18002: Improper Overhaul Performed on Aircraft Accessories/Articles by Aircraft Technical Support, Inc. (ATS) Repair Station.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of improper overhaul performed by Aircraft Technical Support, Inc. (ATS) Repair Station, which previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate No.
Why It Matters
On November 16, 2017, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) affirmed the FAA’s revocation of ATS’s repair station certificate number UX7R295Y (Docket No. SE-30435).
Recommended Action
Aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, parts suppliers, and parts distributors should inspect their aircraft, aircraft records, and parts inventories for any articles/parts approved for return to service as overhauled or repaired by ATS after April 21, 2009. Any articles/parts installed on an aircraft should be removed, and an appropriate return to service inspection/action should be accomplished.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Flight Standards
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos___________ A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO. This is a guidance document. Its content is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon by the Department as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty. Conformity with the guidance document is voluntary only. Nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
Subject: Improper Overhaul Performed on Aircraft Accessories/Articles by Aircraft Technical Support, Inc. (ATS) Repair Station.
Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of improper overhaul performed by Aircraft Technical Support, Inc. (ATS) Repair Station, which previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate No. UX7R295Y. The improper overhaul includes aircraft ejection jacks (part numbers 114160005 and 114160004A), aircraft shaft assembly (part number CHA704-786), and aircraft ball screw assembly (part number 554265-1).
Background: On November 16, 2017, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) affirmed the FAA’s revocation of ATS’s repair station certificate number UX7R295Y (Docket No. SE-30435). The ALJ found that ATS violated several FAA regulations, including 14 CFR §§ 43.2 and 43.13. The FAA investigation and subsequent NTSB hearing revealed that ATS overhauled several articles/parts in violation of part 43 and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Component Maintenance Manuals (CMM).
Finally, ATS failed to use the testing equipment required by the CMM and part 43, or an equivalent acceptable to the Administrator, while performing operational tests of certain articles/parts. ATS overhauled or repaired the articles/parts affected by these violations beginning in April 2009.
Recommended Action: Aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, parts suppliers, and parts distributors should inspect their aircraft, aircraft records, and parts inventories for any articles/parts approved for return to service as overhauled or repaired by ATS after April 21, 2009. Any articles/parts installed on an aircraft should be removed, and an appropriate return to service inspection/action should be accomplished. Any articles/parts in existing aircraft stock should be quarantined to prevent installation until eligibility for installation is determined.
Contact: Direct questions or comments regarding this SAFO to the Aircraft Maintenance Division’s General Aviation Group, Repair Station Section at: 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-300-Aircraft-Maintenance-Division@faa.gov.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 18002
DATE: 03/12/18
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 18002