Airworthiness Directives

Note the confusing organization in the “before” version. (Additional material not in old version of regulation omitted.)

• Before

  TITLE 14–AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

  CHAPTER I–FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
  PART 39–AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES–
  Table of Contents

  Subpart A–General

  Sec. 39. 1 Applicability. This part prescribes airworthiness directives that apply to aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances (hereinafter referred to in this part as “products”) when– (a) An unsafe condition exists in a product; and (b) That condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. [Doc. No. 5061, 29 FR 14403, Oct. 20, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 39-106, 30 FR 8826, July 14, 1965]

  Sec. 39. 3 General. No person may operate a product to which an airworthiness directive applies except in accordance with the requirements of that airworthiness directive.

  Subpart B–Airworthiness Directives

  Sec. 39. 11 Applicability. This subpart identifies those products in which the Administrator has found an unsafe condition as described in Sec. 39.1 and, as appropriate, prescribes inspections and the conditions and limitations, if any, under which those products may continue to be operated.

  Sec. 39. 13 Airworthiness directives. All airworthiness directives contained in Sec. 507.10 of the regulations of the Administrator are hereby transferred to this section of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Editorial Note: Airworthiness directives prescribed under this subpart were published in full in the Federal Register at 21 FR 9449, Dec. 4, 1956 . For Federal Register citations to amendments in 1957 and subsequent years, see former Sec. 507.10 of this title, in a separate volume entitled “List of Sections Affected 1949-1963.” See also Sec. 39. 13 in a separate volume entitled “List of CFR Sections Affected, 1964-1972 and 1973-1985,” and the List of CFR Sections Affected at the end of this volume.

• After

  Title 14: Aeronautics and Space

  PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

  Source: Doc. No. FAA–2000–8460, 67 FR 48003, July 22, 2002, unless otherwise noted.

  § 39.1 Purpose of this regulation.

  The regulations in this part provide a legal framework for FAA’s system of Airworthiness Directives.

  § 39.3 Definition of airworthiness directives.

  FAA’s airworthiness directives are legally enforceable rules that apply to the following products: aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances.

  § 39.5 When does FAA issue airworthiness directives?

  FAA issues an airworthiness directive addressing a product when we find that:

  • (a) An unsafe condition exists in the product; and
  • (b) The condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

  § 39.7 What is the legal effect of failing to comply with an airworthiness directive?

  Anyone who operates a product that does not meet the requirements of an applicable airworthiness directive is in violation of this section.

  § 39.9 What if I operate an aircraft or use a product that does not meet the requirements of an airworthiness directive?

  If the requirements of an airworthiness directive have not been met, you violate §39.7 each time you operate the aircraft or use the product.

  § 39.11 What actions do airworthiness directives require?

  Airworthiness directives specify inspections you must carry out, conditions and limitations you must comply with, and any actions you must take to resolve an unsafe condition.

  § 39.13 Are airworthiness directives part of the Code of Federal Regulations?

  Yes, airworthiness directives are part of the Code of Federal Regulations, but they are not codified in the annual edition. FAA publishes airworthiness directives in full in the Federal Register as amendments to §39.13.