The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) regarding improper maintenance performed on aircraft accessories by California-based Thunder Airmotive, which had its air agency certificate revoked on July 5, 2013, after the company vacated its registered Lancaster location without notifying the agency beforehand as mandated. According to the SAFO, further investigation by the agency found that the company had continued to work on aircraft components after the revocation and then return them to service using the invalid certificate.

Such accessories/articles are not in compliance with FAR Part 43, the FAA said, placing the flying public at risk. The agency advises that operators and technicians inspect their aircraft, maintenance records and parts inventories for any accessory/article returned to service by Thunder Airmotive after July 5, 2013, and remove them until an appropriate return-to-service inspection/action is accomplished. Items in existing inventory should be quarantined to prevent accidental installation until an acceptable inspection and determination can be made as to its eligibility for use, the FAA added.