I'm having trouble going to sleep, so I'm gonna wade into this. From an aeronautical standpoint, I have no qualifications whatsoever to do so. However, I do have a document from an institute of higher education which allows me to read and understand the written word, and make informed comments about it.
My observation rests on the FAR the FAA representative quoted. His reliance on 43.13(a) to interpret Tom's question is improper, because it has no bearing at all on the suitability or legality of a part or method of determining the compliance of that part with the FARs.
That also means I disagree with Tom's acceptance that 43.13(a) is the appropriate FAR governing his hypothetical CRS rejected part, which is surely a dangerous position to defend.
Look at the title of 43.13(a). It is
Performance rules. The section very clearly delineates
how maintenance must be performed to comply with regulations. It describes the methods acceptable for the physical act, and has no relationship at all with parts or their acceptability for use.
It describes "
methods, techniques, and practices".
The key sentence "He shall use the tools, equipment, and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices" clearly illustrates the subject of 43.13(a) is work. It is not parts, nor can any inference to parts be construed in this sentence or any other in 43.13(a).
There is no mention of parts, methods for determining their condition, suitability for use, or legality conferred in 43.13(a). The entirety of 43.13(a) is related to the physical act of performance of maintenance on an aircraft.
User
@Dana posted "Deliberate use of out of spec (i.e. red tagged) parts would not be "in accordance with accepted industry practices," nor in accordance with the "current manufacturer's maintenance manual," so either way, not legal."
The portions of 43.13(a) Dana quoted have nothing to do with "deliberate use of out of spec parts". He has improperly assigned a relationship which does not, and cannot, exist. Instead, the phrases he inserted in quotes pertain, again, to the physical act of work or
performance, which is the title of 43.13(a).
Once again, I am not arguing about the suitability of reusing rejected parts, the authority to do so, or anything related to it.
I'm simply pointing out that the FAA employee Tom talked to has used an improper FAR reference to support his opinion. His inability to interpret and understand the true subject of FAR 43.13(a) and its inapplicability to Tom's inquiry is obvious.
I have no doubt there is a FAR which properly encompasses the answer to Tom's inquiry, but it's not 43.13(a).
No wonder you guys don't want to call the FSDO.