IATA Aircraft Lease Guidance

Annex VIII: Airworthiness Directives Guidelines
Aircraft Models :
All models
Applicability : EASA and FAA environment
1. Introduction
The goal of this annex is to provide the airline with insights and practical advice for the creation of a
comprehensive AD file, which meets requirements found in most aircraft leases. It will also assist in
optimizing existing processes. The regulatory framework is derived from EASA and FAA regulations.
2. Regulatory Basis
The process of introducing a safety publication is initiated by an unsafe condition. An unsafe condition exists
if there is factual evidence that an event could result in an unsafe situation or fatalities. Factual evidence is
accrued during operation (accident or incident), findings during maintenance or inspection (e.g. cracked part,
missing part, or corrosion), findings during a review or audit and as a result of testing or an updated analysis
(e.g. engine test, flight test, component/rig test, full scale fatigue testing by manufacturer, or analysis).
The generic process from unsafe condition to a possible AD publication is illustrated in Figure 12 and
describes how the assessment processes run, from both the authority and the Design Approval Holder
(DAH).
Depending on the jurisdiction of the TC and STC holder, the respective ADs are issued by the corresponding
state of design (e.g. the FAA issues ADs for Boeing and the EASA for Airbus). Regardless of the operating
area or registry of the aircraft, all ADs issued by the authorities for a respective aircraft type should be
analyzed and acted on accordingly by the operator.
A division can be made with respect to the urgency of an AD implementation. This influences the actions and
the compliance times after the effective date of an AD.
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The normal procedure in AD publication is the issuance of a Proposed AD (PAD, EASA), or Notice of
Proposed Rule Making (NPRM, FAA), which is the precursor of a (‘final’) AD. This notice informs the
operator that an AD will be published and allows the operator to submit feedback and enquiries
regarding the proposal. The (‘final’) AD is issued after the full consultation process, and states the
required actions, the risk allowance, and compliance time.
An Emergency AD (EAD) requires immediate publication and notification, as the safety assessment has
justified not implementing the full consultation process.
4 th Edition 2017 107