FAA Warns Pilots About Unapproved 3D-Printed Cockpit Accessories Sold on Etsy

3D printing makes it easy to build custom parts for almost anything, but that freedom runs into hard limits when the part ends up inside a certified aircraft. The FAA published an Unapproved Parts Notification on August 18, 2026, warning aircraft owners and operators about 23 accessories sold on Etsy by Kentucky-based seller MadeByMike3D. The list includes everyday cockpit items: yoke grips, cup holders, battery boxes, sunshields, and headset holders.

These are exactly the kind of prints hobbyists mock up for cars, workshops, or home offices. In a type-certificated aircraft, though, they become a different problem. The FAA notice says the items do not meet production approval requirements for installation on certified aircraft. That means a pilot who bolts one into a panel is flying with an unapproved part, regardless of how well it fits.

MadeByMike3D, also identified as Michael Graham, appears to have stopped selling the aircraft products around August 2025 while the FAA's Suspected Unapproved Parts investigation was underway. The Etsy shop now shows no listings. It is not clear whether the shop closed voluntarily, through Etsy intervention, or as a direct result of FAA contact.

The case points to a larger tension. Desktop 3D printers are now good enough to produce parts that look and feel like factory accessories. A cup holder seems harmless until you imagine it cracking, dropping into a control, or jamming a throttle at the wrong moment. The FAA's concern is not about banning 3D printing; it is about keeping the line clear between unregulated maker projects and parts that need traceability, testing, and approval.

For aircraft owners, the takeaway is simple. A slick-looking 3D-printed cockpit upgrade from an online marketplace is not the same as a PMA-approved or owner-produced part. If it is not documented for your airframe, it does not belong in your panel. Save the custom prints for the hangar, not the flight deck.