[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR43.10]

[Page 891-892]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 43_MAINTENANCE, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, REBUILDING, AND 
ALTERATION--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  43.10  Disposition of life-limited aircraft parts.

    (a) Definitions used in this section. For the purposes of this 
section the following definitions apply.
    Life-limited part means any part for which a mandatory replacement 
limit is specified in the type design, the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness, or the maintenance manual.
    Life status means the accumulated cycles, hours, or any other 
mandatory replacement limit of a life-limited part.
    (b) Temporary removal of parts from type-certificated products. When 
a life-limited part is temporarily removed and reinstalled for the 
purpose of performing maintenance, no disposition under paragraph (c) of 
this section is required if--
    (1) The life status of the part has not changed;
    (2) The removal and reinstallation is performed on the same serial 
numbered product; and
    (3) That product does not accumulate time in service while the part 
is removed.
    (c) Disposition of parts removed from type-certificated products. 
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, after April 15, 
2002 each person who removes a life-limited part from a type-
certificated product must ensure that the part is controlled using one 
of the methods in this paragraph. The method must deter the installation 
of the part after it has reached its life limit. Acceptable methods 
include:
    (1) Record keeping system. The part may be controlled using a record 
keeping system that substantiates the part number, serial number, and 
current life status of the part. Each time the part is removed from a 
type certificated product, the record must be updated with the current 
life status. This system may include electronic, paper, or other means 
of record keeping.
    (2) Tag or record attached to part. A tag or other record may be 
attached to

[[Page 892]]

the part. The tag or record must include the part number, serial number, 
and current life status of the part. Each time the part is removed from 
a type certificated product, either a new tag or record must be created, 
or the existing tag or record must be updated with the current life 
status.
    (3) Non-permanent marking. The part may be legibly marked using a 
non-permanent method showing its current life status. The life status 
must be updated each time the part is removed from a type certificated 
product, or if the mark is removed, another method in this section may 
be used. The mark must be accomplished in accordance with the 
instructions under Sec.  45.16 of this chapter in order to maintain the 
integrity of the part.
    (4) Permanent marking. The part may be legibly marked using a 
permanent method showing its current life status. The life status must 
be updated each time the part is removed from a type certificated 
product. Unless the part is permanently removed from use on type 
certificated products, this permanent mark must be accomplished in 
accordance with the instructions under Sec.  45.16 of this chapter in 
order to maintain the integrity of the part.
    (5) Segregation. The part may be segregated using methods that deter 
its installation on a type-certificated product. These methods must 
include, at least--
    (i) Maintaining a record of the part number, serial number, and 
current life status, and
    (ii) Ensuring the part is physically stored separately from parts 
that are currently eligible for installation.
    (6) Mutilation. The part may be mutilated to deter its installation 
in a type certificated produce. The mutilation must render the part 
beyond repair and incapable of being reworked to appear to be airworthy.
    (7) Other methods. Any other method approved or accepted by the FAA.
    (d) Transfer of life-limited parts. Each person who removes a life-
limited part from a type certificated product and later sells or 
otherwise transfers that part must transfer with the part the mark, tag, 
or other record used to comply with this section, unless the part is 
mutilated before it is sold or transferred.

[Doc. No. FAA-2000-8017, 67 FR 2110, Jan. 15, 2002]