EASA AD US-2025-09-08: Stabilizers - Outboard Elevators - Maintenance Records Check / Inspection

What to do

Operators and maintenance organizations must perform a maintenance records check or a visual inspection of the outboard elevators to confirm the presence of balance weights by May 5, 2025. If unbalanced elevators are identified, applicable corrective actions must be taken promptly. Comments on the directive are accepted until June 20, 2025, but compliance is required immediately upon the effective date.

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2025-09-08 addresses a safety issue affecting all Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The directive requires a maintenance records check or inspection to verify whether certain outboard elevators, specifically part numbers 654U6625-2411 and 654U6625-2412, have been installed with the necessary balance weights. This action is necessary due to reports of elevators installed without balance weights, which poses safety risks.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections and maintenance records checks to identify outboard elevators installed without balance weights on Boeing 747 aircraft. It expands applicability beyond the originally referenced models to include all Boeing 747 variants because the affected parts are rotable and may be installed on multiple aircraft types. The directive also mandates corrective actions if unbalanced elevators are found.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because unbalanced outboard elevators can cause abnormal vibrations, flutter, or oscillations, potentially leading to loss of safe flight and landing. Maintenance personnel face increased risk of injury during installation or removal of these parts if balance weights are missing. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safety of Boeing 747 fleets.

What to do

Summary

What changed

Why it matters

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