Wings - Carry-thru Spar - Inspection
- Published
- Effective
- Deadline
- Replaces
- 2020-03-16
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Affected operators must perform the required visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-thru spar lower cap by the effective date of March 20, 2023. If corrosion or damage is detected, corrective actions must be taken promptly, including spar replacement if necessary. Additionally, operators must apply protective coatings and corrosion inhibiting compounds and report inspection findings to the FAA as specified in the directive.
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2023-02-17 is a final rule addressing Textron Aviation Inc. (formerly Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 210N, 210R, P210N, P210R, T210N, T210R, 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG airplanes. It mandates inspections and corrective actions for the carry-thru spar lower cap due to identified corrosion and fatigue cracking risks. This directive aims to prevent potential wing separation and loss of control caused by structural failure.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-thru spar lower cap for corrosion, cracking, and damage on the specified Textron models. It requires corrective actions if issues are found, application of protective coatings and corrosion inhibiting compounds, and reporting of inspection results to the FAA. This AD expands safety measures beyond previous directives that addressed earlier models with severe corrosion issues.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a significant safety risk involving structural integrity of the carry-thru spar, a single-load path component essential for wing attachment. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent in-flight structural failures that could lead to catastrophic accidents. The AD provides clear inspection and maintenance requirements to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance.
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