Landing Lights at NAPA

Mike Spera wrote:

A couple of points made during the thread worth mentioning. First, even
if the part number is the same, technically the part has no traceable
history evidenced by paperwork. Hence, installing it in an airplane
without paperwork/pedigree may render the airplane unairworthy.


I have bought the 4509 landing lights at my FBO as well as at the auto
parts store. There's no paper trail from the FBO for that light. It
comes in the same box sometimes. The only paper I get is the standard
purchase receipt printed on the FBO's standard receipt they give for any
sale. I never keep these for small purchases like bulbs or other small
hardware I may buy. The thought is laughable. There is absolutely no
difference between the bulbs. If I put one in your hand from the FBO
and one from NAPA you can't tell which is which. And the insurance
company does not go looking for a part, any part, that isn't legal to
deny a claim. An unapproved part has to have played a likely role in
the wreck, your state insurance regulations see to that.