EASA AD US-2022-05-01: Wings - Spoiler Assemblies - Removal

What to do

Affected operators must remove spoiler assemblies that had their life limits extended by Restored Aircraft Sales and Service, LLC, or those with missing or incomplete life limit records, before further flight. Installation of these spoiler assemblies on the specified Learjet models is prohibited. Compliance with this directive is required by March 9, 2022, the effective date of the AD.

Summary

Federal Register Volume 87, Number 35 (February 22, 2022) - Airworthiness Directive 2022-05-01 issued by the FAA addresses certain Learjet, Inc. airplanes including Models 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, 55C, and 60. This directive targets spoiler assemblies that had their FAA-approved life limits improperly extended by a repair station, posing a safety risk. The AD mandates removal of these spoiler assemblies from service and prohibits their reinstallation to ensure continued airworthiness.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive requires removal of spoiler assemblies on specified Learjet models that were returned to service after unauthorized life limit extensions by a repair station. It prohibits installation of these affected spoiler assemblies to prevent operation beyond FAA-approved life limits. The AD introduces mandatory corrective actions to address this unsafe condition without prior notice and comment due to the urgency of the risk.

Why it matters

This AD is critical for aviation professionals because operating Learjet airplanes with spoiler assemblies beyond their approved life limits can lead to undetected cracking and potential failure, risking loss of airplane control. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure affected spoiler assemblies are identified and removed promptly to maintain safety and regulatory compliance. The directive highlights the importance of adhering strictly to FAA-approved life limits and repair approvals.