[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51610-51613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20084]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3990; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00097-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A. (LAVIASA) Model PA-25, PA-25-235, and PA-
25-260 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion
in the front and rear wing spars and cracks in the front wing spar.
This proposed AD would require inspecting the front and rear wing spars
for corrosion and crack(s); inspecting the upper/lower spar flange of
the front wing spar for any crack(s); repairing or replacing front and
rear wing spars if crack(s) or corrosion are found, as applicable. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3990; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For LAVIASA aviacion material identified in this proposed
AD, contact LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A., Parque Industrial Mendoza, Eje Norte,
manzana 13 lote 3, Las Heras, Mondoza, Argentina; phone: +54 9 2614 67-
7682; email: laviaargentina.com">administracion@laviaargentina.com; website:
laviaargentina.com.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aaron Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, [1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590];
phone: (281) 799-3453; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-3990; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-00097-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Aaron
Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The National Civil Aviation Civil Administration (Argentina), which
is the aviation authority for Argentina, has issued Aviaci[oacute]n
Civil Argentina (ANAC Argentina) AD 2024-05-01, Revision 1, dated
December 18, 2024 (ANAC Argentina AD 2024-05-01 R1) (also referred to
as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on all LAVIASA Model PA-
25, PA-25-235, and PA-25-
[[Page 51611]]
260 airplanes. The MCAI states that corrosion was reported in the front
and rear wing spars and cracks were found in the front wing spar. In
addition, the MCAI states that after the issuance of ANAC Argentina
Emergency AD 2023-12-01, dated December 11, 2023, cracks were found in
holes that were drilled to fix the leading edges, which could propagate
towards the spar web.
The MCAI requires doing repetitive inspections of the front and
rear wing spars for corrosion and crack(s) and the front wing spar for
alteration(s) (change of leading edge, repairs, non-approved
perforations) and crack(s); repairing or replacing front and rear wing
spars if crack(s), corrosion, or alteration(s) are found.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a wing
separating from the fuselage in flight.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3990.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed LAVIASA aeroindustria Service Bulletin No. 25-57-
09, REV 0, dated November 27, 2023. This material specifies procedures
for inspecting the lower wing surface for inspection covers and
installing inspection holes and covers as applicable, inspecting the
forward and aft wing spars for corrosion and crack(s), and ensuring the
drain holes are in the correct position and free from any
obstruction(s).
The FAA also reviewed LAVIASA aviacion Service Bulletin No. 25-57-
11, Rev 00, dated August 23, 2024. This material specifies procedures
for installing rectangular inspection doors near the forward wing spar,
verifying the location of the screws on the upper and lower T flanges,
inspecting to determine if there are more than four holes between ribs
on the leading edge tabs, inspecting for crack(s) near the bore holes,
doing a borescope inspection of inside surface of the T-flange for
crack(s) and if any crack(s) are found uncovering the complete wing and
doing a detailed inspection of the wing spar.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions in the
material already described above, except as discussed under
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins
Where the service bulletins specify that airplanes will be grounded
if any crack(s) are found, this proposed AD would require repair before
further flight using instructions obtained from the FAA.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 467 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspect wing spars for crack(s).. 16 work-hours x $85 $0 $1,360, per $635,120, per
per hour = $1,360, inspection. inspection.
per inspection.
Inspect wing spars for corrosion. 8 work-hours x $85 0 $680, per inspection $317,560, per
per hour = $680, inspection.
per inspection.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspections. The agency has no way of determining the number
of airplanes that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace front wing spar.................... 40 work-hours x $85 per hour = $15,000 $18,400
$3,400.
Replace rear wing spar..................... 40 work-hours x $85 per hour = 11,000 14,400
$3,400.
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The repair of any front or rear wing spar that may be required as a
result of any proposed inspection could vary significantly from
airplane to airplane. The FAA has no data to determine the costs to
accomplish the repair or the number of airplanes that may require the
repair.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or
[[Page 51612]]
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Lavia Argentina S.A: Docket No. FAA-2025-3990; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-00097-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 2, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A. (LAVIASA) Model PA-25,
PA-25-235, and PA-25-260 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated
in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5711, WING SPAR.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion in the front and
rear wing spars and cracks in the front wing spar. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address corrosion and crack(s) in the front and
rear wing spars, and crack(s) in the front wing spar upper/lower
spar flange. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
a wing separating from the fuselage in flight.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Front and Rear Wing Spar Inspections for Corrosion and Crack(s)
(1) At whichever of the compliance times in paragraphs (g)(1)(i)
through (iii) of this AD that applies and thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months,
whichever occurs first, inspect the lower wing surface for
inspection covers and install inspection holes and covers as
applicable, inspect the front and rear wing spars for corrosion and
crack(s), and ensure the drain holes are in the correct position and
free from any obstruction(s), in accordance with steps 5.1, 5.2, and
6. of the ACTIONS in LAVIASA aeroindustria Service Bulletin No. 25-
57-09, REV 0, dated November 27, 2023 (LAVIASA SB 25-57-09, REV 0).
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Paragraph 2-14, Inspection Rings and
Drain Grommets, of Chapter 2, Fabric Covering, Section 1, Practices
and Precautions, of FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B, ``Acceptable
Methods, Techniques, and Practices--Aircraft Inspection and
Repair,'' Change 1, dated September 8, 1998; with Editorial Update
dated September 27, 2001, provides guidance regarding installing
inspections rings and drain grommets, as related to step 6.,
Inspection Holes Installation, of the ACTIONS in LAVIASA SB 25-57-
09, REV 0.
(i) For airplanes that have not had a wing spar replaced before
the effective date of this AD and not had wing spar alterations at
any time during the life of the airplane, before exceeding 5 years
on the wing spar, before exceeding 500 hours TIS on the wing spar,
or within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later;
(ii) For airplanes that have had wing spar alterations at any
time during the life of the airplane, within 10 hours TIS after the
effective date of this AD; or
(iii) For airplanes that have had the wing spar replaced before
the effective date of this AD with no alterations, within 500 hours
TIS or 5 years from the date a wing spar was replaced, or within 10
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(2) If any crack(s) or corrosion is found during any inspection
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight,
repair or replace the affected wing spar in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA.
(i) If the wing spar is repaired after the effective date of
this AD, repeat the inspection requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months,
whichever occurs first.
(ii) If the wing spar is replaced after the effective date of
this AD, inspect the wing spar as required in paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD before exceeding 5 years on the wing spar or 500 hours TIS
after replacement, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs
first. Repeat the inspection requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD at the applicable time in paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of
this AD when the airplane is returned to an airworthy condition.
(A) For airplanes that have not had a wing spar replaced before
the effective date of this AD and that have not had wing alterations
at any time during the life of the airplane, before exceeding 5
years on the wing spar, before exceeding 500 hours TIS on the wing
spar, or within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later; or
(B) For airplanes that have not had a wing spar replaced before
the effective date of this AD and have had wing alterations at any
time during the life of the airplane, within 10 hours TIS after the
effective date of this AD.
(3) Regardless of whether a crack(s) or corrosion is found
during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD that
show evidence of overlapping, enlarged holes, or more than four
holes found and at least two of them are less than one inch away
from each other, perform the wing spar inspection in paragraph (h)
or (i) of this AD, as applicable.
(h) Front Wing Spar Upper/Lower Spar Flange Inspection for Crack(s)
(1) At whichever of the compliance times in paragraphs (h)(1)(i)
and (ii) of this AD is applicable, inspect the upper/lower spar
flange of the front wing spar for any crack(s), evidence of
overlapping, enlarged holes, or more than four holes found and at
least two of them are less than one inch away from each other,
paying particular attention to the leading-edge fitting area, in
accordance with steps 1 through 11 of the ACTIONS in LAVIASA
aviacion Service Bulletin No. 25-57-11, Rev 00, dated August 23,
2024 (LAVIASA SB 25-57-11, Rev 00).
(i) For airplanes with more than 5 years total time on the front
wing spar but less than 40 years total time on the front wing spar,
before exceeding 5 years total time on the front wing spar, within
100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, or within 12
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs latest;
or
(ii) For airplanes with 40 years or more total time on the front
wing spar, within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
(2) If no crack(s) is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, perform an eddy current inspection of
the upper/lower spar flange of the front wing spar for any crack(s)
at the applicable times specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (ii) of
this AD.
Note 2 to paragraph (h)(2): The eddy current inspection may be
done using the instructions in Appendix 1 of Aviaci[oacute]n Civil
Argentina AD 2024-05-01, Revision 1, dated
[[Page 51613]]
December 18, 2024 (ANAC Argentina AD 2024-05-01 R1).
(i) For airplanes with more than 5 years total time on the front
wing spar but less than 40 years total time on the front wing spar,
before further flight; or
(ii) For airplanes with 40 years or more total time on the front
wing spar, before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs later.
(3) If a wing spar has alterations without discrepancies stated
in LAVIASA aviacion SB 25-57-11, Rev 00, during any inspection
required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, as applicable, perform an
eddy current inspection of the upper/lower spar flange of the front
wing spar for any crack(s) at the applicable times specified in
paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) For airplanes with more than 5 years total time on the front
wing spar but less than 40 years total time on the front wing spar,
before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50
hours TIS except the wing spar must be replaced as specified in
paragraph (h)(5) of this AD; or
(ii) For airplanes with 40 years or more total time on the front
wing spar, before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs later.
(4) If any crack(s) is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, repair or replace
the affected wing spar in accordance with instructions obtained from
the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA.
(5) Airplanes where eddy current inspections are required every
50 hours TIS as specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this AD must
have the wing spar replaced within 18 months after starting the eddy
current inspections.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(1) of
this AD and email to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district
office/certificate holding district office.
(k) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Aaron Nguyen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, [1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590]; phone: (281) 799-3453; email:
[email protected].
(2) FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B, ``Acceptable Methods,
Techniques, and Practices--Aircraft Inspection and Repair,'' Change
1, dated September 8, 1998; with Editorial Update dated September
27, 2001, may be found at drs.faa.gov.
(3) For ANAC Argentina AD 2024-05-01 R1, contact Aviaci[oacute]n
Civil Argentina, Av. Paseo Colon, 1452 CP, Buenes Aires, Argentina;
phone: +54 115941 3000/7; website: argentina.gob.ar/anac.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) LAVIASA aeroindustria Service Bulletin No. 25-57-09, REV 0,
dated November 27, 2023.
(ii) LAVIASA aviacion Service Bulletin No. 25-57-11, Rev 00,
dated August 23, 2024.
(3) For LAVIASA aviacion material identified in this AD, contact
LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A., Parque Industrial Mendoza, Eje Norte, Manzana
13 lote 3, Las Heras, Mondoza, Argentina; phone: +54 9 2614 67-7682;
email: laviaargentina.com">administracion@laviaargentina.com; website:
laviaargentina.com.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on October 24, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20084 Filed 11-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P