Looking for a thread...used parts approval

[mhorowit]

I'm 99.9% certain we had a thread on how a part made it past the A&P and on the aircraft. Can someone suggest how to find that thread?

It recognized that a yellow tagged item told my A&P that someone had inspected it (which removed my A&P from liability concerning the part condition). So I went to the next question which was "what if the part doesn't come with a yellow tag" and I think I gave as an example a landing gear that I got from Kevin. My A&P sandblasted it and apparently it passed his inspection; but there was a gap in the 'audit' of part serviceability (if that makes sense). He may have simply shifted the liability to me by saying "owner supplied part".

Does this make sense and/or can someone point me to the thread? - Mike

[Winston L.]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

The owner supplied part sounds like the best way to go. I have ordered parts for aircraft from salvage yards also and said they were servicable parts. The liability was now on me but I made very sure, upon inspection, that it was an airworthy servicable part.

Winston

[mhorowit]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

The owner supplied part sounds like the best way to go. I have ordered parts for aircraft from salvage yards also and said they were servicable parts. The liability was now on me but I made very sure, upon inspection, that it was an airworthy servicable part.

Winston

So as long as I do a good job, and keep my mouth shut, I can present a part and say "look what I got off e-bay!", have him inspect it and avoid all that pesky "work under supervision" business, right? - MIke

[Winston L.]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

Yes it's simple. You don't need a paper trail if it is a servicable part that was removed from another aircraft and you know it is the correct part.

Winston

[mhorowit]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

Yes it's simple. You don't need a paper trail if it is a servicable part that was removed from another aircraft and you know it is the correct part.

Winston

"servicable part" - as an A&P, do you ever have a doubt? - Mike

[Winston L.]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

I suppose if I had any doubt of a part not being airworthy, or the correct part for the particular aircraft I am working with, I would not use the part. What concerns you about the gear?

[mhorowit]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

Not a thing. I'm just trying to understand the concept.
There seemed to be an inconsistency in the process: if it had a yellow tag, my A&P would accept it. If it was repaired under his supervision, he would accept it.
If I repaired it and told him I got it from a friend, it appeared he'd accept it ... but no, he inspected it to his standard even though he may have called it an "owner supplied part", then accepted it as airworthy.

That would seem to work if he can see everything, like a landing gear or my rudder; it certainly would not work with an engine crankshaft since he doesn't have the facilities to evaluate it. My alerion or for that matter a wing, would be marginal since he really can't do a complete inspection without removing the fabric; further, as I'm learning with this alerion, even with the fabric off he may still be unable to see enough to be satisfied as to its airworthiness.

I'm taking today off as a "mental health" day - in the morning I'm going to Sears and haunt the screwdriver aisle; I think I've been misunderstanding the relationship between blade and slot;also to look for that 5/32" socket - in the PM I'm off to my A&P with the rudder and alerion - see if he finds the rudder acceptable and how deep he wants me to dissassemble the alerion; also need to see if this crushing of the spar (pic) is something to be concerned about - Mike

[fearofpavement]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

...also need to see if this crushing of the spar (pic) is something to be concerned about - Mike[/QUOTE]

Doesn't look too wonderful to me. Appears to have gotten a pretty good squeeze. Does the wood seem in good shape, rot wise?

[NY86]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

RE: the original question-

Everyone danced around it, but I didn't see a clear statement. Whoever is signing off the repair or part replacement bears the ultimate responsibility for the airworthiness of the part. If it has a yellow tag, the installer (A&P) might be less rigerous in his pursuit of the truth, but he still bears the ultimate responsibility. Interesting aside, the"Yellow Tag" has no meaning from a regulatory perspective.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

since the yellow, green, red tag system was used so long many companies print out their 8130 maintenance releases on a yellow card/tag. However, you are correct in stating that a yellow tag (unless it includes the 8130 mx release) is meaningless.

[mhorowit]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

...also need to see if this crushing of the spar (pic) is something to be concerned about - Mike

Doesn't look too wonderful to me. Appears to have gotten a pretty good squeeze. Does the wood seem in good shape, rot wise?[/QUOTE]

My A&P advises I remove the leading edge so we can get a better idea; he did say read 43.13 on repairing spars with a doubler; he also said to build a jig to hold the attachpoints in alignment.

He says the squeeze occurred when the wood absorbed moisture.

Off to find the thread on a nail-removing tool. - Mike

[N96337]

Re: Looking for a thread...used parts approval

Winston and everyone has brought up great info, and NY86 has hit it right on the head.... it's the person signing off the work/parts that is going to be ultimately responsible. I've had maintenance release tagged parts (yellow tag) come to me that I would definately NOT put on or in an aircraft... just because it has a tag, doesn't mean it's airworthy.. just like Winston said in his earlier post "I suppose if I had any doubt of a part not being airworthy, or the correct part for the particular aircraft I am working with, I would not use the part".
The FAR's and AC's and all the resources we use as mechanics and IA's are notorious for thier "open ended" interpretations... what's good for one inspector may have a whole other meaning to another inspector.
JH