FIRST-ARTICLE INSPECTION FOR A NEW AIRCRAFT, ENGINE, PROPELLER OR PART PRODUCED FOR THE FIRST TIME
(a)Purpose The purpose of first-article inspection (of the article that is in conformance with the proposed type design for certification) when a new aircraft, engine, propeller or part is produced and released for the first time is for the competent authority to: ensure the conformity of the aircraft, engine, propeller or part with the applicable design data; conduct an oversight visit to the declared production organisation in order to ensure that the declared production organisation is capable of consistently producing, or controlling the production of, aircraft, products and parts that conform with the applicable design data; ensure that the declared production organisation is able to discharge its obligations and responsibilities as regards production.
(b)Methodology and evidence The first-article inspection should be conducted by the competent authority at an appropriate location(s) selected by the declared production organisation. This (these) location(s) should include the physical location of the aircraft, engine, propeller or part under inspection and should be in the principal place of business (which in accordance with Article 9(2) of Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 must be in an EU Member State). The main focus of the activities to gather evidence to ensure the objectives mentioned in point (a) are satisfied should be through a physical inspection of the aircraft, engine, propeller or part that has been produced in accordance with the approved design data. Additional sources of evidence during the visit to the declared production organisation’s facilities may include:
(1)the review of supporting conformity documentation and test reports;
(2)the review of applicable design data and how it is used;
(3)discussions with key production personnel;
(4)the review of production processes and procedures. The above list of additional sources of evidence is not exhaustive. It is possible that during the first-article inspection the competent authority may discover ‘evidence’ that indicates that the declared production organisation has:
(1)misunderstood, misinterpreted or not achieved conformity with the applicable design data;
(2)not discharged its production obligations as a declared production organisation;
(3)not followed good production practices to ensure conformity or control of a product or a part it has produced. If such ‘evidence’ is discovered, the competent authority may perform a more in-depth investigation into the production practices of the production organisation to determine the root cause(s) and to establish corrective actions to prevent a reoccurrence of the issue.
(c)Condition and conformity of the aircraft, engine, propeller or part to be inspected The aircraft, engine, propeller or part presented to the competent authority for inspection should be in the final condition for release and in conformity with the applicable design data.
(d)Availability of supporting documentation and key personnel The supporting documentation and conformity data should be made available by the declared production organisation at the time of the visit by the competent authority to the facilities of the declared production organisation. Key production personnel should be made available to the competent authority by the declared production organisation in case of need.
(e)Findings and resolution If a non-compliance is discovered by the competent authority in the process of the activities mentioned in point (b), an appropriate finding may be raised against the declared production organisation in accordance with point 21L.B.21 and enforcement actions implemented in accordance with point 21L.B.22. Depending upon its nature, such finding may need to be resolved before the initial and subsequent aircraft, engine(s), propeller(s) or part(s) can be released or the first certificate of airworthiness (or restricted certificate of airworthiness in the case of a declared aircraft) is issued.
(f)Duration and schedule First-article inspection relating to the initial type certificate of a product The declared production organisation should coordinate with the competent authority so that, as far as practicable, the first-article-inspection activities to be conducted under point 21L.B.143(b) are conducted at the same time as the first-article inspection activities conducted under point 21L.B.46(c) or point 21L.B.62(b). If this is not appropriate or practicable (for example, because a partial first-article inspection would be beneficial at an earlier stage of production (e.g. for major assemblies)), then the applicant may arrange this with the competent authority. Note: For a modified or repaired product, when determined under points 21L.B.83(c), 21L.102(c) or 21L.B.203(c) respectively, EASA may require and coordinate with the competent authority on the need for a first-article inspection. First-article inspection relating to a part that is produced for the first time by the production organisation For the first-article inspection of every part that is produced for the first time by the declared production organisation, it is possible that this is arranged without the need for coordination with EASA. If such a part relates to a major change/repair for which EASA has determined the need for a first-article inspection under points 21L.B.83(c), 21L.102(c) or 21L.B.203(c), then EASA may require and coordinate with the competent authority on the need for a first-article inspection.