Cannibalization process overview
To meet operational requirements and to dispatch an aircraft, you must replace a defective component, but your inventory balance might be zero. By using the cannibalization process, you can remove the component from a serviceable aircraft or piece of equipment and install it on another.
The regular maintenance procedure is completed by issuing a replacement component from inventory, installing it, completing the work and releasing the aircraft or piece of equipment into service. However, you might have zero balance available from inventory and the lead time to obtain a replacement exceeds the operational schedule requirements.
In this case, a cannibalization (robbery) process can be authorized. The essential component is removed from a designated aircraft or piece of equipment (the donor aircraft or piece of equipment) and inspected. The component is also installed on the unserviceable aircraft or piece of equipment (the receiver aircraft or piece of equipment). You can use the cannibalization process at any point until the work order is completed, closed, or canceled.
When the work is completed, the aircraft or piece of equipment is dispatched into service. A work order is issued against the donor aircraft or piece of equipment to generate the demand against inventory by following regular procedure. Any reservations that are made against the receiver aircraft or piece of equipment must be canceled or transferred to the donor aircraft or piece of equipment.
The cannibalization process is a relatively common practice that must be rigorously managed and controlled to maintain regulatory and safety compliance. Efficiency is also a priority because the cannibalization process is typically applied under operational pressure and tight deadlines.
You use the Materials tab, under the Plans tab of the Work Order Tracking application to specify and approve a cannibalization process. The cannibalization details show on the Robbery details section, when you select the Robbery checkbox. You can have a robbery action for each item line.
- If you specify an item number, and the availability check shows no stock.
- If you have the aircraft or piece of equipment under the AOG status.
Cannibalization process status changes
The cannibalization process can assume different statuses while procedures are applied.
| Status | Description | Validation |
|---|---|---|
| PENDG (pending) | The default status when the robbery action is created. | You can specify this status if the Robbery checkbox is not selected. |
| NAPPR (not approved) | The robbery action is not approved, and all other fields are read only. | None |
| APPR (approved) | The robbery action is approved. | You cannot specify this status if the Robbery checkbox is not selected. |
| COMP (complete) | The robbery action is complete, and the donor aircraft or piece of equipment is available to be issued to the receiver aircraft or piece of equipment. | You must specify all fields. You cannot specify this status if the Robbery checkbox is not selected. |
| CANC (canceled) | The robbery action is no longer essential. The user is responsible for canceling any associated work orders, purchasing records, and others. | You cannot specify this status if the Robbery checkbox is not selected. |
Example of the cannibalization process
A passenger aircraft is due to depart at 13:00 with 250 fare-paying passengers. Two hours before departure, an essential component for flight operations fails. The mechanics investigate and conclude that a replacement part is essential. An interrogation of available inventory reveals a delivery of the essential component in 12 hours time.
The decision is made by maintenance control – the flight must not be delayed. A replacement component is removed from the aircraft that is not scheduled to fly until the next day. The component is inspected and installed in the faulty aircraft. A work order is issued against the donor aircraft to be completed before the flight time, on the next day.