Aircraft Life Limits are in Our Future

The FAA plans to issue a new rule that would require airframe manufacturers to establish a life-limit for each airframe, based on the “limit of validity” of the engineering data that supports the original maintenance program. A purpose of this exercise is to prevent widespread fatigue damage in aging aircraft, and airframe manufacturers will be required to identify maintenance actions necessary to prevent widespread fatigue damage before the airplane reaches its life-limit.

This rulemaking would require operators of any affected airplane to incorporate the life-limit into the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft’s instructions for continued airworthiness. In order to operate an affected airplane beyond the life-limit, the operator would need to develop an FAA-approved maintenance program designed to prevent widespread fatigue damage.

The official deadline for publication of this Final Rule is July.

Comments

[FRANK JAMES HELMS]

The FAA has failed to present one INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT of TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT WIDE SPREAD FATIGUE DAMAGE. Aloha happened because the operator failed to comply with a Mandated Supplemental Structural Inspection SSI. The Aloha FAA PMI was aware of the deviation. A Boeing Audit several months before the incident disclosed that the Aloha Maintenance Program was not in accordance with the guidelines provided by them.

There has been a loss of life when Boeing aircraft crashed because of improper repairs (performed in one case for the operator by Boeing mployees).

Part 25 aircraft are designed to be fail safe. The proposed action makes them safe life - throw away airplanes. Can you imagine how little money will be invested in a "throw away airplane"? Fly to failure will move from a rumor to a common practice!

JIM HELMS
FAA Master Mechanic (A FORMER PAMA MEMBER and A&P mechanic since 1955)
[email protected]