Instructions on inspecting and identifying SUPs in the aviation industry.

1. Suspected Unapproved
Parts
Program Office
Susan Trask
Aviation Safety Inspector

2. VISION
To promote the highest level
of aviation safety by
eliminating the potential
safety risk posed by the
entry of "unapproved parts"
in the U.S. aviation
community.

3. PROGRAM HISTORY
1988 - Initial Program
Aircraft Certification Service (AIR)
1992 - FAA Order 8120.10
Advisory Circular 21-29A
1995 - SUP Task Force Convened
1995 - SUP Office Established

4. Organizational
Structure
S U P P r o g r a m O ff ic e
S u p C o o r d in a t o r s
F ie ld O f f ic e s
F lig h t S t a n d a r d s
S U P C o o r d in a to r s
F ie ld O f f ic e s
A ir c r a f t C e r t if ic a t io n
A V R
R e g u la t io n a n d C e r t if ic a t io n
F A A A d m in is t r a t o r

5. Program Office
Functions
Develop policy and guidance
Identify training needs, oversee and
implement the training program
Provide technical support
Coordinate efforts with Law Enforcement
Authorities
Develop a national database

6. Suspected Unapproved
Parts
What is a SUP?

7. SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PARTSUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PART
A Suspected Unapproved Part (Suspected Unapproved Part (SUP) is a part,
component, or material that is suspected of not meeting
the requirements of an “approved part.” A part that, for
any reason, someone suspects may not be “approved.”
Indications include:
• a difference in size, finish, or color
• improper (or lack of) identification
• incomplete or altered documentation
See AC 21-29 for complete definitionSee AC 21-29 for complete definition

8. WHAT IS AN “APPROVEDWHAT IS AN “APPROVED
PART?”PART?”
A part that has been:
Properly DesignedProperly Designed
Properly ProducedProperly Produced
Properly MaintainedProperly Maintained
Properly DocumentedProperly Documented
See AC 21-29 for complete definitionSee AC 21-29 for complete definition

9. WHAT IS ANWHAT IS AN
UNAPPROVEDUNAPPROVED PART?PART?

10. AnAn unapproved partunapproved part is a part or materialis a part or material
that does not meet any one of the 4that does not meet any one of the 4
elements of an “Approved Part.”elements of an “Approved Part.”
Approved DesignApproved Design
Properly ProducedProperly Produced
Properly MaintainedProperly Maintained
Properly DocumentedProperly Documented
See AC 21-29 for complete definition of “approved part”
as used with quotation marks.

11. How does a SUP Case get started?How does a SUP Case get started?
FAA Form 8120-11, or Hotline Complaint
referencing SUP are forwarded to AVR-20
AVR- 20 enters the available information into the PartsAVR- 20 enters the available information into the Parts
Reporting System (PRS), solicits additional info ifReporting System (PRS), solicits additional info if
necessary, and opens a case.necessary, and opens a case.
The case is assigned to the geographic area where theThe case is assigned to the geographic area where the
“focus of the investigation” resides, and forwarded to“focus of the investigation” resides, and forwarded to
the SUP Coordinator.the SUP Coordinator.
The SUP Coordinator forwards the case to theThe SUP Coordinator forwards the case to the
appropriate action office ...appropriate action office ...

13. Total Number of SUP Cases
FY-98 through 2/25/03
Total SUP Cases: 1494
NUMBER OF SUP CASES
321
288
262 278
230
115
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Fiscal Year
NumberofSUPCases

14. Cases with Finding of Unapproved
Part by Fiscal Year
Total Closed Cases 1225
(Oct 1, 1997 through Feb 25, 2003)
28%
29%
25%
30%
23%
3%
FY-1998
Fiscal
Years
FY-2003
FY-2002
FY-2000
FY-2001
FY-1999

15. (Investigation Focus or Involved)
Companies Involved in SUP Cases
Company Type: (Investigation Focus or Also Involved)
SUP Cases FY-98 through 2/25/03
Distributor
19%
Prod. Approval Holder
13%
Repair Station
35%
Supplier
6%
Other
3%
Non-Cert Maint
3%
Non-Cert Producer
6%
Air Carrier
4%
Unknown
6%
Mechanic
1%
Operator
2%
Foreign
2%

16. SUP Case Totals by
Geographic Area
Open SUP Cases by Lead Organization
Total Open: 249 as of 2/26/03
1
3
3
3
6
8
9
12
12
17
17
25
58
75
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
AAL-200
ANE-200
AGL-200
AVR-20
ACE-200
AEA-200
ANE-100
ASW-100
ACE-100
ANM-200
ASW-200
AWP-200
ASO-200
ANM-100
Number of SUP Cases

17. Number of Companies involved
in SUP Investigations in
Southern Region
Southern Region
Number of Companies Involved in SUP Investigations by State
1
73
10
3 1 3 1 2
0
20
40
60
80
Alabama Florida Georgia Kentucky Mississippi North
Carolina
South
Carolina
Tennessee
(Company is Focus or Involved)

21. SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED
PARTS

22. THE DECISIONS WE MAKE
EACH DAY CAN POTENTIALLY IMPACT THOUSANDS OF LIVES! KEEP SAFETY A PRIORITY!
FAA Suspected Unapproved Parts ProgramFAA Suspected Unapproved Parts Program OfficeOffice
13873 Park Center Road, Suite 16513873 Park Center Road, Suite 165
Herndon, VA 220171Herndon, VA 220171
Phone: 703-668-3720 Fax: 703-481-3002Phone: 703-668-3720 Fax: 703-481-3002
Website: http://www.faa.gov/avr/supsWebsite: http://www.faa.gov/avr/sups