Life Limited Part Traceability

by Sasa Petrovic
(Serbia)

What documentation is required to establish a life limited part's back to birth traceability?

Beside tracking of part TSN, CSN, what else is necessary to trace?

Does the FAA and/or EASA have a list of mandatory documentation necessary to establish LLP traceability?

ANSWER: The regulations require that you provide a status of life limited parts, that show the current times and/or cycles of the parts and when they are due for retirement.

In addition the FAA and EASA's primary concern is that the part comes from an approved manufacturing source and that the part is serviceable. Documents that prove a parts origin and continued airworthiness (serviceability) are the other two documents needed for a life limited part.

A part's birth certificate can be in the form of a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer, an FAA Form 8130-3, or an EASA Form One.

A part's serviceability can be shown by a release certificate from an approved facility that last repaired or overhauled the part, or article that the life limited part is installed in. In addition, this facility must show the current status of the part.

The above items meet the requirements of the regulations.

However, if you are bound by the conditions of an aircraft lease agreement, then you may also be required to provide a full historical record of the part to include the parts movement from one article to another.

It has become a standard in the industry. Particularly for engines and landing gears that could loose their commercial value if these documents are not provided.