FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 20010: Fraudulent Documentation and Possible Improper Maintenance on Accessories/Articles by a Previous Employee of Aviatronics, LLC, Miami Lakes, Florida.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of fraudulent documentation and possible improper maintenance performed on a variety of aircraft accessories/articles approved for return to service after November 3, 2016, by an employee of Aviatronics, LLC. This repair station previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate No.
Why It Matters
An investigation conducted by the FAA revealed that an individual previously employed by Aviatronics, LLC, continued to approve articles for return to service using Aviatronics, LLC, documentation even after the company surrendered its FAA repair station certificate on November 3, 2016. This individual signed and issued intentionally false work orders and approvals for return to service (FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag), which certified that Aviatronics, LLC, had: • Performed the maintenance in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 145, • Inspected the articles, and • Approved the articles for return to service under part 43, part 145, and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations as airworthy.
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 by Aviatronics, LLC, after November 3, 2016. • Any such articles/parts installed on an aircraft should be removed and an appropriate approval for return to service inspection/action should be accomplished.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo 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. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Subject: Fraudulent Documentation and Possible Improper Maintenance on Accessories/Articles by a Previous Employee of Aviatronics, LLC, Miami Lakes, Florida.
Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of fraudulent documentation and possible improper maintenance performed on a variety of aircraft accessories/articles approved for return to service after November 3, 2016, by an employee of Aviatronics, LLC. This repair station previously held Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate No. ZVNR690L.
Background: An investigation conducted by the FAA revealed that an individual previously employed by Aviatronics, LLC, continued to approve articles for return to service using Aviatronics, LLC, documentation even after the company surrendered its FAA repair station certificate on November 3, 2016. This individual signed and issued intentionally false work orders and approvals for return to service (FAA Form 8130-3, Airworthiness Approval Tag), which certified that Aviatronics, LLC, had:
Performed the maintenance in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 145,
Inspected the articles, and
Approved the articles for return to service under part 43, part 145, and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations as airworthy.
Depending on the specific article, safety and airworthiness concerns include lack of traceability, exceedance of time since last overhaul, exceedance of approved repair limits, and whether the actual work was accomplished, in addition to the intentional falsification of FAA Form 8130-3 and associated records produced by the individual.
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 by Aviatronics, LLC, after November 3, 2016.
Any such articles/parts installed on an aircraft should be removed and an appropriate approval for return to service inspection/action should be accomplished.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 20010
DATE: 4/24/20
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
Any such articles/parts in existing aircraft stock should be quarantined to prevent installation until eligibility for installation is determined.
If any articles/parts approved for return to service by Aviatronics, LLC, are found installed on aircraft or in stock, the FAA requests that a copy of the FAA Form 8130-3 and associated purchase documents be forwarded to the contact listed below.
Contact: Questions or comments regarding this SAFO should be directed to Erik Lee, Aviation Safety Inspector, at the South Florida Flight Standards District Office, via mail at 2895 S.W. 145th Avenue, Suite 120, Miramar, FL 33027, or via telephone at (954) 641-6118.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 20010