EASA AD 2024-0171
Stabilizers — Vertical Stabilizer to Horizontal Stabilizer Junction Fittings — Inspection / Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0171 is an airworthiness directive addressing the inspection and replacement of vertical stabilizer to horizontal stabilizer junction fittings on ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes. It targets affected parts potentially manufactured with improper materials, which could compromise structural integrity. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions to ensure continued airworthiness of these ATR aircraft models.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory special detailed inspections and detailed visual inspections of affected vertical to horizontal stabilizer junction fittings on specified ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. It requires reporting inspection results to ATR and, depending on findings, repair or replacement of affected parts with serviceable ones. The directive also establishes compliance timelines based on aircraft group classifications and sets a replacement threshold of 36,000 flight cycles for affected parts.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams as it addresses a potential structural safety risk due to improperly manufactured stabilizer junction fittings. Failure to comply could reduce aircraft structural integrity, leading to unsafe flight conditions. Ensuring timely inspections, reporting, and part replacements helps maintain regulatory compliance and aircraft safety.
What To Do
Operators of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aircraft must perform special detailed inspections within 6 months for Group 1 aircraft and within 12 months for Group 2 aircraft after 10 September 2024. Group 3 aircraft require detailed visual inspections every 24 months following approval of repair instructions. Any affected parts found outside material tolerances must be repaired or replaced before next flight, and all affected parts must be replaced before exceeding 36,000 flight cycles. Inspection results must be reported to ATR within 10 days of inspection.