Safety Information BulletinEASA SIB SAFO22001

Recommended Procedures when Wind/Ground Gusts meet or exceed criteria specified in the applicable Aircraft Maintenance Manual

Published: Jun 27, 2022

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of Boeing DC-9/MD-80 series and B717 airplanes should review the Boeing Service Letters referenced in SAFO 22001 and establish or update procedures defining who monitors wind speeds affecting parked aircraft. They must also ensure timely notification of maintenance personnel when wind gusts meet or exceed AMM criteria, enabling required inspections and operational checks before flight. No specific compliance deadline is stated in the document.

Summary

SAFO 22001 Safety Alert for Operators provides recommended procedures for operators of Boeing DC-9/MD-80 series and B717 model airplanes when wind or ground gusts meet or exceed criteria specified in the applicable Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). This alert addresses risks of elevator damage caused by localized, dynamic wind gusts with vertical components that can jam flight control surfaces. The document highlights the importance of monitoring wind conditions to prevent incidents like the 2017 rejected takeoff of a Boeing MD-83 due to elevator jamming.

What changed

SAFO 22001 introduces recommended procedures based on Boeing Service Letters for DC-9/MD-80 and B717 airplanes to perform specific pre-flight inspections and operational checks when wind gusts meet or exceed updated AMM criteria. It also clarifies responsibilities for monitoring wind conditions affecting parked aircraft and notifying maintenance personnel. These recommendations respond to NTSB safety recommendations following an incident involving elevator damage from ground gusts.

Why it matters

This SAFO is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a previously underrecognized hazard of ground gusts with vertical wind components causing flight control damage. Operators and maintenance teams must implement these procedures to detect and prevent elevator jams that could lead to rejected takeoffs or accidents. Compliance enhances safety by ensuring aircraft are inspected and cleared for flight after exposure to hazardous wind conditions.

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