The Risks of Keeping Old Aircraft Parts in Storage

When harboring aviation components, improper storage can inadvertently create safety, compliance, and operational risks long before they are ever installed. This involves guarding items from environmental degradation, documenting meticulously, and putting products into rotation before their shelf life ends. Therefore, these tasks are especially imperative to stay on top of when it comes to keeping older items airworthy. To help you be aware of all the pertinent risks and requirements, this blog will cover the most common issues that develop while storing old aircraft parts and some general industry standards that are laid out for disciplined inventory management.

What to Look Out for When Storing Old Components

1. Corrosion and Environmental Degradation

Even a small amount of moisture present can initiate oxidation on metal surfaces, while elevated humidity levels above 60% and coastal regions with salt-laden air can significantly accelerate corrosion. To avoid cascading effects like surface pitting, loss of material thickness, and reduced fatigue strength, parts should remain in manufacturer-approved packaging whenever possible and kept in locations with dehumidifiers and climate control. Along with these safeguards, periodic visual inspections are also recommended, that way any signs of corrosion are caught before parts are released for use.

2. Shelf Wear and Shelf-Life Expiry

Products like rubber components, adhesives, and battery units are time-limited, as cracking and elasticity loss or reduced chemical effectiveness are inevitable, so manufacturers and regulatory authorities often assign defined shelf lives that should be strictly observed. Additionally, exposure to oxygen, light, temperature variations, and other variables can further shorten part lifespans.

While keeping conditions under control, utilizing automated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software or recording manual logs is vital to manage all expiry dates in an organized and timely manner. When a shelf-life limit is reached or cannot be verified through documentation, the part is typically required to be quarantined, re-certified if permitted by the manufacturer, or removed from service altogether.

3. Material Fatigue and Mechanical Degradation

Even in the absence of active operational stresses, some aircraft parts can go through gradual material changes and form micro-cracks during prolonged storage, especially in the face of temperature cycling or static loading. These effects are particularly relevant to keep track of for structural components, springs, fasteners, and other assemblies created to accommodate and operate under precise load tolerances.

Meanwhile, rotating components, bearings, actuators, and parts with internal seals warrant additional scrutiny. For these items, extended inactivity can lead to lubricant separation, drying, or migration away from critical contact surfaces. In tandem with thorough and regular inspection to catch any such issues, there is an additional expectation to carry out controlled rotation or periodic servicing for some stored components to preserve their lubrication and mechanical integrity.

4. Contamination and Handling Damage

Dust, dirt, and chemical residues can settle on exposed surfaces or infiltrate internal passages, potentially interfering with close-tolerance interfaces, fluid flow paths, or sealing surfaces. Furthermore, electronic components may experience electrical resistance changes, signal interference, or corrosion at contact points. Besides contamination, improper handling can result in impact damage or electrostatic discharge (ESD), rendering precision components unsuitable for use.

For any type of damage, the use of sealed containers for sensitive parts, anti-static packaging for electronic assemblies, and ESD-safe shelving and flooring systems within holding areas will all serve as important mitigators. However, comprehensive training for warehouse and inventory-handling personnel is needed in tandem with storage practices to guarantee that they work in accordance with approved procedures.

Industry Standards and Recommendations for Aircraft Parts Storage

Operators, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities and distributors are legally responsible for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft parts while they are in their custody, which explicitly encompasses handling, preservation, and traceability. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in enforcement actions like Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUPs) notifications, not to mention causing significant operational risks if damaged products are installed.

While regulations under the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are codified separately, their set standards for aircraft parts storage are largely aligned in intent and application. Organizations operating under the jurisdiction of either authority are expected to:

• Clearly identify and physically segregate airworthy parts from unserviceable, expired, quarantined, or suspect components.
• Have adequately clean, humidity and temperature controlled, and ventilated warehouses.
• Preserve parts in all manufacturer-approved or equivalent protective packaging right up until installation.
• Maintain a system for continuous traceability so each item can be linked to an approved production source or authorized maintenance release at all times.
• Follow defined handling and lifting procedures to avoid introducing structural stress, impact damage, or other such issues during storage.

When dealing with older aircraft parts, abiding by these standards becomes even more vital to make sure they do not become a liability. If an old part has been sitting without documented shelf-life management, it may no longer meet regulatory acceptance criteria regardless of its appearance.

Reduce Storage Risk Through Informed Sourcing

The key takeaway is that storing aircraft products is an ongoing responsibility that becomes increasingly important to keep up with when components have been held for long periods of time. Because storage history and documentation are just as important as physical condition, initially purchasing aircraft parts from a dependable and compliant source is the best way to get off on the right foot. ASAP Semiconductor is a distributor that stands ready to support these priorities, providing a broad range of aircraft parts that are appropriately stored and accompanied by verifiable documentation.

With such a strong emphasis on quality control and transparency, customers who shop with ASAP Semiconductor can avoid the uncertainty associated with procuring new and old aircraft parts alike. Moreover, we constantly tailor fulfillment options based on time and budget constraints, along with other specialized requirements. To learn more about our extensive inventory and services regarding old or stored aircraft parts, be sure to connect with our team at your earliest convenience.