Fuselage - Airworthiness Limitations Section - Maintenance / Inspection
- Published
- Effective
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Affected operators must revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of their maintenance manuals or instructions for continued airworthiness within 30 days after the directive's effective date of July 2, 2026. They must perform the initial inspections before accumulating 6,000 total flights or within 30 days after the effective date, whichever is later. No alternative inspection methods or intervals are allowed unless approved by the FAA through an alternative method of compliance request.
Summary
Fuselage - Airworthiness Limitations Section - Maintenance / Inspection is a final rule airworthiness directive issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) addressing certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC Model HA-420 airplanes. This directive mandates updates to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the maintenance manual to include inspections for tool damage on the interior fuselage skin fiber at the forward pressure bulkhead ring angle. The directive aims to prevent crack propagation that could lead to pressurization leaks and loss of pressurization.
What changed
This new airworthiness directive requires operators of Honda Model HA-420 airplanes, serial numbers 42000012 through 42000230, to revise the ALS of their maintenance manuals or instructions for continued airworthiness by incorporating Honda Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-420-53-009 dated April 26, 2023. It introduces mandatory visual and ultrasonic inspections for damage such as impact damage, cracks, and disbonding on the fuselage skin. The directive also establishes compliance times and prohibits alternative actions unless approved by the FAA.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety risk involving potential damage to the fuselage skin that could compromise aircraft pressurization. Operators and maintenance organizations must incorporate the new inspection requirements to detect and repair damage early, ensuring continued airworthiness and passenger safety. Compliance with this directive helps avoid costly repairs and operational disruptions caused by undetected structural damage.
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