Time Limits / Maintenance Checks – Certification Maintenance Requirements and Airworthiness Limitations – Amendment
Superseded. Comply with 2021-0020, which replaces this document.
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2018-0184
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators of affected ATR 72 aeroplanes must replace life-limited parts before exceeding their limits and perform all maintenance tasks within specified intervals as per the ATR 72 Time Limits Document Revision 17 starting from 19 August 2020. They must revise their approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months of the effective date to include the updated tasks and limitations. Any discrepancies found during maintenance must be corrected before the next flight, and ATR should be contacted if existing instructions do not cover corrective actions.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0173 is an airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency affecting ATR 72-101, ATR 72-102, ATR 72-201, ATR 72-202, ATR 72-211, ATR 72-212, and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes. It mandates compliance with updated airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance requirements as specified in the ATR 72 Time Limits Document Revision 17. This directive ensures continued safe operation by enforcing life limits and maintenance tasks for critical components.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2020-0173 supersedes the previous AD 2018-0184 and introduces new and/or more restrictive maintenance tasks and limitations as defined in the latest ATR 72 Time Limits Document Revision 17. It allows a one-time grace period for certain life-limited components and maintenance tasks close to or exceeding their thresholds. The directive also requires operators to revise their approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme to incorporate these updated requirements within 12 months.
Why it matters
This directive is crucial for aviation professionals as it ensures the continued airworthiness and safety of ATR 72 aircraft by enforcing updated maintenance standards. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid unsafe conditions resulting from expired life limits or missed maintenance tasks. Compliance helps maintain regulatory approval and prevents operational disruptions due to non-compliance with mandatory airworthiness requirements.
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