Aircraft maintenance industry representatives have called on AOPA Australia for assistance, following the introduction of a US FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 12th November 2020, which addresses the inspection and repair of damaged Lift Strut Bulkheads on Cessna 100 and 200 series aircraft.

Cessna models covered by the US FAA AD include 100-series (172, 182) and 200-series (206, 207 and 210) airplanes, of which there are tens of thousands in the worldwide fleet.  Of those models, around 60 model years are represented.

Click to view the US FAA AD 2020-22039 – Cessna Lift Strut Inspection and Repair

The US AD stipulates a manufacturer (Cessna Service Kit) repair methodology and does not recognise any of the previous CASA approved repair schemes, which have been applied to some 300+ aircraft in Australia using local CAR21M delegates, covered under the now-canceled CASA AD.

As a consequence, Australian Cessna 100 and 200 series aircraft that have received local repairs may face being grounded by late 2021.

AOPA Australia and AMROBA have written to CASA calling for an Approved Method of Compliance (AMOC) to be issued, that recognises the approved repair schemes that were covered under the now-canceled CASA AD, be transferred across to the US FAA AD.