Fuselage / Stabilizers - Tailcone and Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment Structure - Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Affected operators must inspect the tailcone and horizontal stabilizer attachment structure for corrosion, cracks, and rivet condition as specified in the directive and Textron's service letter SEL-55-01. Repairs or replacements must be performed if damage is found. Compliance is required by December 7, 2020, and inspections can be integrated into the annual or 100-hour inspections to minimize operational impact.
Summary
Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (November 2, 2020) is a final rule airworthiness directive issued by the FAA addressing Textron Aviation Inc. Models 180, 180A-K, 182, 182A-D, 185, 185A-E, A185E, and A185F airplanes. The directive mandates inspections of the tailcone and horizontal stabilizer attachment structure for corrosion, cracks, and loose or sheared rivets due to reported structural cracks. It aims to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer attachment that could lead to tail separation and loss of airplane control.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive requires specific inspections targeting known cracking areas in the tailcone and horizontal stabilizer attachment structure on the affected Textron models. It introduces mandatory inspections and repair or replacement of damaged parts, supplementing existing routine maintenance requirements. The directive also clarifies applicability to Model 182-series airplanes based on shared tailcone design and inspection findings.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals to ensure structural integrity and flight safety by detecting and addressing cracks and corrosion that routine inspections may miss. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to avoid potential catastrophic failure of the tail assembly. The AD standardizes inspection procedures and compliance, reducing subjective interpretation and enhancing regulatory oversight.
More for Textron Aviation 180
All 4Get the next one by email
New ADs and bulletins for these 10 aircraft types, summarized like this page, every Monday.