Page 215 - UK Regulation Part 21 Initial Airworthiness Annex I (consolidated) March 2022

PART 21 - INITIAL AIRWORTHINESS (ANNEX I)

21.B.120(c)(3) GM Investigation preparation and planning
Following acceptance of an application and before commencing an investigation the CAA should:
- identify the site locations needing investigation
- liaise with the CAA of another state where there is seen to be a need to visit a production
facility in that State for one of the following reasons:
(a) where a manufacturer has contracted part of the production to another organisation
holding a production organisation approval and a need arises to ensure the contract has
the same meaning for all parties to the contract, and the local CAA of the State agrees
(b) to inspect a product (or part or appliance) under production where the sub-contractor is
not holding a POA
- coordinate with the CAA of a third country and/or the CAA where there is seen to be a
need to visit a production facility in that country for one of the following reasons:
(a) where a manufacturer has contracted part of the production to another organisation
holding a production organisation approval issued by the CAA or accepted through an
recognition agreement in accordance with Article 12 of the Basic Regulation and a need
arises to ensure the contract has the same meaning for all parties to the contract, and the
CAA and/or the CAA authority agrees
(b) to inspect a product (or part or appliance) under production where the sub-contractor is
not holding a POA.
21.B.120(c)(5);(6) GM Auditing and investigation findings
During its investigation process, the CAA may make findings which should then be recorded. These
may be non-conformities to the requirements, the manual as supplied by the manufacturer describing
its inspection procedures or non-conformities related to the items under inspection. The manner in
which the findings will be handled by the CAA before and during the validity of the letter of agreement,
should be detailed in its procedures.
21.B.125 Findings
(a) When during audits or by other means objective evidence is found by the CAA, showing
non-compliance of the holder of a letter of agreement with the applicable requirements of
Section A of this Annex, this finding shall be classified in accordance with point 21.A.125B.
(b) The CAA shall take the following actions:
1. for level 1 findings, immediate action shall be taken by the CAA to limit, suspend or
revoke the letter of agreement in whole or in part, depending upon the extent of the
finding, until successful corrective action has been completed by the organisation;
2. for level 2 findings, the CAA shall grant a corrective action period appropriate to the
nature of the finding that shall not be more than 3 months. In certain circumstances,
at the end of this period and subject to the nature of the finding, the CAA can extend
the 3 months period subject to a satisfactory corrective action plan provided by the
organisation.
(c) Action shall be taken by the CAA to suspend the letter of agreement in whole or in part in
case of failure to comply within the timescale granted by the CAA.
21.B.125(a) GM Objective evidence
Objective evidence is a fact which is, or can be documented, based on observations, measurements
or tests that can be verified. Objective evidence generally comes from the following:
a) documents or manuals
b) examination of equipment/products
c) information from interview questions and observations of production activities
21.B.130 Issue of letter of agreement
(a) When satisfied that the manufacturer is in compliance with the applicable requirements of
Section A, Subpart F, the CAA shall issue a letter of agreement to the showing of
conformity of individual products, parts or appliances (CAA Form 65, see Appendix XI)
without undue delay.
(b) The letter of agreement shall contain the scope of the agreement, a termination date and,
where applicable, the appropriate limitations relating to the authorisation.
(c) The duration of the letter of agreement shall not exceed one year.
21.B.130 AMC Issue of the letter of agreement
Unless otherwise agreed by the CAA no production before the issue of the letter of agreement may be
accepted under Part 21 Section A Subpart F.
21.B.130(b) GM Issue of the letter of agreement
The agreement should include or reference a pre-defined plan of inspection points established as part
of the production inspection system and agreed with the CAA to be used as a basis for the
inspections described in 21.A.129 and 21.B.120(c)(5) and its associated CS and GM. The plan
should clearly identify inspection point, places, inspection subjects (materials, process, tooling
documentation, human resources, etc.), as well as the focal points and the method of
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