Help Needed in Tracking Down STC Letter

[N46147]

Good evening all,

I am in need of some help. Last year I purchased an L-2M in good condition in ID. For various reasons, it got to KALW and has remained there for a year. Now in the process of re-certifying the plane for flight, the mechanic and I have stumbled into a roadblock.

The L-2M in question has an O-200 installed via a 337 form referencing STC SA3192SO. The 337 form isn't the issue, the STC is. The actual STC letter from the FAA with the seal and everything is not in the aircraft documents, nor is it available on the FAA's STC database.

I am new to aircraft ownership, this L2 being my first aircraft, and am looking for advice on how to find a copy of that STC letter to include with the aircraft documents.

Any help is appreciated

[PA1195]

As a start contact Terry Bowden for guideance: http://barnstmr.blogspot.com/2008/11...craft-l-2.html

Or, from this link:

https://books.google.com/books?id=6F7gZsKi8mwC&pg=RA34-PA4&lpg=RA34-PA4&dq=John+Collier%C2%A0999+Old+Seneca+Road%C2%A0Central,+SC+29130&source=bl&ots=N2d_6jx4aF&sig=ACfU3U3IiGhp0jF5B3UYsAxqQEVezXSbeQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivy67r-PzmAhXRHDQIHTE_DnQQ6AEwAHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=John%20Collier%C2%A0999%20Old%20Seneca%20Road%C2%A0Central%2C%20SC%2029130&f=false

DCO-65 T.C. A-746 STC SA3192SO FAA Region CE-A

Installation of a Teledyne Continental Motors model O-200 engine and a McCauley model 1A101 propeller.

Mr. John Collier 999 Old Seneca Road Central, SC 29130

Issued 3/19/92.

[LostnSpace]

Did that STC come from a College/University in Washington, Clover or something like that?, I was working with John Collier long ago and put an O-200 in a L-2M, went thru a long list of hoops, Bill O-Brien was still available then and helped me get the STC, but working with the FSDO in ATL (they were much friendlier back then), so I ended up with a field approval for the O-200 , McCauley prop and (2) 12 gallon wing tanks, if you think that'll help any, let me know, I'd be glad to send you all the paperwork, gary

[LostnSpace]

Just checked and found STC # SA3192SO want a copy, let me know, gary

[N46147]

Hi Gary, yes I would like all the documentation you have! 12 gallon wing tanks would be immensely helpful for long single pilot trips, and the STC as well obviously! Thanks!

[PA1195]

Is that STC per person's name or airplane S/N or prior to that requirement?

See pages 64 and 65: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/...r/AC21-40A.pdf

Gary

[LostnSpace]

Is that STC per person's name or airplane S/N or prior to that requirement?

See pages 64 and 65: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/...r/AC21-40A.pdf

Gary

It's the person's name date applied 12/90 issued 3/92

[LostnSpace]

Hi Gary, yes I would like all the documentation you have! 12 gallon wing tanks would be immensely helpful for long single pilot trips, and the STC as well obviously! Thanks!

PM sent

[Guest]

Have you looked at the aircraft's data CD that you can get from Okla. City? Might be in there.

[PA1195]

Dave's suggestion to obtain and review records on file with the FAA might help. Go here: https://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/

Unfortunately including a copy of the STC is uncommon for several of the aircraft CD's I've requested. Most often there's only a Form 337 that includes a reference like "installed in accordance with STC ********" plus instructions for continued airworthiness. Sometimes the actual STC is there.

And the days of a copy of an STC without authorization that names and permits the aircraft owner and aircraft serial number are likely passed.

Gary

[astjp2]

Well there is nothing that I know of that says you have to mail the permission letter in with the 337.

[3Dreaming]

Well there is nothing that I know of that says you have to mail the permission letter in with the 337.

In fact there was a period of time when you didn't even need a letter.

[PA1195]

Yes and yes to the above. But because there was rampant abuse of an STC (Crosswinds PA-12-180 for example) among others and no payment to the STC holder for services rendered the current permission came into being. I think it would be advisable to include a copy of the permission letter with the 337 to substantiate the use....but it's a choice. The STC holders paid plenty for that document and any liability and deserve to be compensated.

Edit: I talked with an STC holder recently and he said his problem was assuring the work was done per the STC's instructions and then later maintained per the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. It's likely that the original owner and mechanic that did the work performed as required...paperwork maintenance and alterations. But if the airplane has been passed on to others as in this thread then assuring it was done "in accordance with" the STC and ICA might be a challenge without the STC's instructions. Does that make sense? It has happened to me before (no STC paperwork) and it became a drawn out process to clear up.

Gary

[Edwin Otha]

If the Form 337 is stamped in block three, the modification was approved by the FAA. The letter was probably sent to the FAA as basis for the approval and application to your aircraft. I wouldn't sweat it if the Form 337 is in order.
EO

[PA1195]

AFAIK a Block 3 stamp means the FAA has approved the technical data substantiating the alteration and is subject to conformity inspection by person authorized in 43.7. If a STC is used as approved data the FAA doesn't get involved unless there's a requested deviation (with the exception...) to the STC in my experience. That's only as an owner and not an A&P. At one time STC paperwork got passed around like free candy. And sometimes the FAA would approve a free STC and note that in Block 3 if the installer had a vague set of data.

Then later a supportive and conscientious A&P/IA asks for guidance to inspect and determine conformity but it's incomplete or missing. That's where we are I guess.

Gary