Applies To Cessna Citation Jets With The Devices Installed

EASA has issues an emergency AD for Cessna Citation jets with Tamarack ATLAS active winglets installed. The AD was issued April 19.

According to the AD (2019-0086-E), the active load alleviation system (ATLAS), when operational, deflects the Tamarack active control surfaces (TACS) on the outboard wings. Recently, occurrences have been reported in which ATLAS appears to have malfunctioned, causing upset events where, in some cases, the pilots had difficulty to recover the airplane to safe flight. Investigation continues to determine the cause(s) for the reported events.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions have issued the SB, providing instructions to pull and collar the ATLAS circuit breaker, to make TACS immovable and to amend the applicable AFMS.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires the Tamarack ATLAS to be deactivated and the TACS to be fixed in place. This AD also requires implementation of operational limitations and repetitive pre-flight inspections by amending the applicable AFMS. Finally, this AD requires a modification of the ATLAS, which would provide relief for the deactivation, limitations and repetitive inspections as required by this AD.

Operators of the affected aircraft are required, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, to deactivate the ATLAS and modify the TACS to restrict their movement in accordance with the instructions of the SB, amend the applicable AFMS to include the applicable operational limitations and pre-flight inspection instructions by inserting a copy of the SB, inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the airplane accordingly.

(Source: EASA AD. Image from file)

FMI: AD