Unapproved parts alert: Unapproved batteries installed or intended to be installed on Ameri-King Corporation AK-451 model emergency locator transmitters - Civil Aviation Safety Alerts (CASA) No. 2017-06

Attention:

Owners, operators, maintainers and distributors.

Issuing Office: Standards Branch
File Classification No. : Z 5000-35
RDIMS No. : 13210461
Document No. : CASA 2017-06
Issue No. : 1
Effective Date: 2017-08-09

Purpose:

This Civil Aviation Safety Alert (CASA) is to alert owners, operators, maintainers and distributors of unapproved batteries installed or intended to be installed on Ameri-King Corporation (Corp.) AK-451 model emergency locator transmitters (ELTs).

Background:

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) advised industry stakeholders of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unapproved Parts Notification (UPN) 2016-2013NM460018 in CASA 2016-05. The UPN stated that all parts and Techinical Standard Order (TSO) articles manufactured after December 28, 2015 by Ameri-King Corp. were produced without an FAA production approval. Included in the UPN were models AK-450 and 451 series ELTs and part number (P/N) 450010 series lithium batteries.

TCCA discovered that Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) have sourced batteries that are not approved directly from suppliers to Ameri-King Corp. and those unapproved batteries are being installed on AK-451 ELTs.

Recommended Action:

Aircraft owners, operators, maintainers, and distributors are encouraged to inspect their aircraft and parts inventories for batteries installed on or destined to be installed on AK-451 model ELTs.

The only battery that conforms to the AK-451 approved design (TSO) and is eligible for installation is a P/N 4500010-1 manufactured prior to December 25, 2015 by Ameri-King Corp. All other batteries are unapproved.

If unapproved batteries are found installed, they should be removed and replaced with P/N 4500010-1 approved battery with remaining service life (i.e. not expired). If unapproved batteries are found in inventory, they should not be sold, distributed or used in the maintenance of AK-451 model ELTs.

A person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a part installed or intended for installation in an aeronautical product that was not manufactured or certified in accordance with the applicable regulations of the state of production, or that is improperly marked, or that is documented in such a manner as to mislead with regard to the origin, identity or condition of the part shall submit to Transport Canada a report of the suspected unapproved part via the Web Service Difficulty Reporting System (WSDRS) at:

http://wwwapps3.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CAWIS-SWIMN/logon-wsdrs-cs16101.asp?Lang=E

Contact Office:

For more information concerning this issue, contact a Transport Canada Centre or contact Jeff Phipps, Chief, Operational Airworthiness, Standards Branch in Ottawa, by e-mail at jeff.phipps@tc.gc.ca.

Original signed by Pierre Ruel

for

Robert Sincennes

Director
STANDARDS

The Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Alert (CASA) is used to convey important safety information and contains recommended action items. The CASA strives to assist the aviation industry's efforts to provide a service with the highest possible degree of safety. The information contained herein is often critical and must be conveyed to the appropriate office in a timely manner. The CASA may be changed or amended should new information become available.