AOPA pushes back on Cessna 210 AD

The AD announced in February “requires a one-time visual inspection of specified areas on the carry-thru spar lower cap and an eddy current inspection of the lower cap kick area and any locations where corrosion was removed.” The results of these inspections must be reported to the FAA, which will use the data to determine any further action. The AD requires completion of the inspections of listed models within 60 days, or 20 hours time-in-service, whichever comes first.

The AD was prompted by a 2019 accident involving a Cessna T210M that crashed after a wing separated during flight in Australia. The FAA noted that visual examination of the fracture found fatigue cracking that had begun in a corrosion pit.

AOPA noted in a formal comment on the AD submitted April 6 that many aircraft subject to the AD have already been inspected visually in accordance with service letters from Textron Aviation, and AOPA is not aware of any incidents of spar failure. AOPA urged the FAA to withdraw the AD, citing a lack of data connecting the in-service fleet to the highly modified specimen that crashed in Australia. Alternatively, the AOPA believes the FAA should amend the AD to allow operators to satisfy the inspection requirements by completion of the service letter guidance previously approved by the FAA.

AOPA Director of Regulatory Affairs Christopher Cooper also asked the FAA to remove the eddy current inspection requirement, noting cost and availability concerns: “AOPA has received input from operators that hourly rates can be in the hundreds of dollars and can take several weeks to schedule.”

While AOPA appreciates the FAA decision to extend the compliance deadline to September 9, in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, “it will be a challenge to schedule and complete the required elements of this AD, even within this time frame.” Cooper also noted that replacement spars are also in limited supply. It is imperative that appropriate time be made available to ensure this part is available before the possibility of over 1,500 aircraft being grounded. Extending the compliance date to 12 months will align with the Textron service letter, Cooper wrote.