Stabilizers – Horizontal Stabilizer Front, Centre Box and Front Spar Web – Inspection
- Published
- Takes effect
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2025-0110
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must perform a one-time detailed inspection of the specified horizontal stabilizer areas within the compliance times defined by aircraft group: within 24 months after 6 July 2023 for Group 1, and within 20 months after 28 May 2025 for Groups 2 and 3. If discrepancies are found, ATR-approved repair instructions must be followed before the next flight. Previous inspections done according to earlier service bulletin revisions are acceptable for compliance.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0217 is issued for ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes, focusing on inspections of the horizontal stabilizer front, centre box, and front spar web. This directive mandates detailed inspections of specific structural areas to identify loose fasteners and cracks that could compromise the aircraft's structural integrity. It applies to aircraft identified by manufacturer serial numbers listed in the referenced ATR Service Bulletins.
What changed
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2026-0217 supersedes AD 2025-0110 and introduces reduced compliance times for detailed inspections on certain groups of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aeroplanes. It expands the inspection scope to include additional affected areas of the horizontal stabilizer and updates the applicable service bulletins to their latest revisions. The directive also clarifies corrective actions and provides credit for previous inspections performed under earlier service bulletin revisions.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-212A aircraft by ensuring early detection and correction of potential manufacturing deviations causing loose fasteners and cracks. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must adhere to the updated inspection requirements to prevent possible safety risks. Timely compliance helps avoid operational disruptions and ensures continued airworthiness under EASA regulations.
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