In March 2020, Flying reported on an airworthiness directive focused on corrosion concerns on most models of the Cessna 210. On Tuesday, May 11, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that may broaden the scope of that original AD to include both the Cessna 210R and N models, as well as all models of the Cessna 177 Cardinal. An NPRM is a preliminary announcement of the FAA’s intentions that could lead to a new AD. The agency will base its final decision to proceed onto a new AD after reviewing the user comments that the NPRM is requesting.
This proposed AD was prompted by the May 26, 2019, in-flight break-up of a Cessna T210M in Australia—the result of fatigue cracking that initiated at a corrosion pit, as well as subsequent corrosion reports on other Model 210-series and Model 177-series aircraft. The T210 experienced a wing separation after the carry-thru spar failed, and a subsequent loss of control in-flight while performing low-altitude aerial survey work.
The proposed AD to address the unsafe condition on these aircraft would require visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-thru spar lower cap. Corrective action, if necessary, calls for the application of a protective coating and corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC), as well as reporting the inspection results to the FAA. If a crack is identified, the carry-thru spar must immediately be removed from service. The FAA requests to receive comments on this NPRM no later than June 25, 2021.
