FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 21002: Fraudulent or Intentionally False Reproduction and/or Alteration of a Genuine Certificate of Flammability Test.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of fraudulent or intentionally false entries in airworthiness records of parts that may be used on type- certificated products by Big Wings Interiors, Inc. Commonly known as “Big Wings,” this non-certificated interior shop performed work on parts to be installed in aircraft interiors for operators certificated to operate under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 135 and for persons operating aircraft under part 91.
Why It Matters
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessed a civil penalty against Big Wings through an Order Assessing Civil Penalty, dated August 20, 2019, for violating 14 CFR §§ 3.5(b)(1), 3.5(b)(2), and 3.5(c)(1). The FAA determined that: • Big Wings made, or caused to be made, a fraudulent or intentionally false statement in a record about the airworthiness of a part that could be installed on a type-certificated product.
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/materials approved for return to service by Big Wings that used a Certificate of Flammability Testing for return to service. An appropriately certificated person should carefully SAFOSafety Alert for Operators U.S.
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 or Intentionally False Reproduction and/or Alteration of a Genuine Certificate of Flammability Test.
Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of fraudulent or intentionally false entries in airworthiness records of parts that may be used on type-certificated products by Big Wings Interiors, Inc. Commonly known as “Big Wings,” this non-certificated interior shop performed work on parts to be installed in aircraft interiors for operators certificated to operate under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 135 and for persons operating aircraft under part 91.
Big Wings used a fraudulent or intentionally false reproduction and/or alteration of a record of airworthiness for Certificate of Flammability Testing in its approval for return to service of cabin seats after reconditioning.
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessed a civil penalty against Big Wings through an Order Assessing Civil Penalty, dated August 20, 2019, for violating 14 CFR §§ 3.5(b)(1), 3.5(b)(2), and 3.5(c)(1). The FAA determined that:
Big Wings made, or caused to be made, a fraudulent or intentionally false statement in a record about the airworthiness of a part that could be installed on a type-certificated product.
Big Wings made, or caused to be made, a fraudulent or intentionally false reproduction and/or alteration of a record about the airworthiness of a part that could be installed on a type-certificated product.
Big Wings, in a record conveying information related to a sales transaction, made a material representation that a part was acceptable for installation on a type-certificated product in a manner likely to mislead a consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances.
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/materials approved for return to service by Big Wings that used a Certificate of Flammability Testing for return to service. An appropriately certificated person should carefully SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 21002
DATE: 03/09/21
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
scrutinize these records and the acceptability of any articles/parts/materials to determine airworthiness.
Any such articles/parts/materials installed on an aircraft should be removed or quarantined to prevent installation until the eligibility for installation is determined.
Contact: Questions or comments regarding this SAFO should be directed to the South Florida Flight Standards District Office, Jay Rodriguez Jr., Aviation Safety Inspector, available at 2895 S.W. 145th Avenue, Suite 120, Miramar, FL 33027, or via telephone at (954) 641-6011.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 21002