SACAA Mandates Overhauls for All Aircraft Engines Older than 12 Years

With practically no warning, South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has pushed a controversial regulation into action that requires overhauls for any aircraft engine older than 12 years. This rule grounds upwards of 1,400 aircraft until the pricey service is performed.

SACAA argues that this decision was purely made for safety reasons. 12 years is a fairly standard period for engine manufacturers to advise between overhauls, even if its flight time remains under the recommended TBO. Ignoring this advisory could increase the risk of dangerous mechanical failures and engine issues.

“Aging components – particularly in critical engine assemblies – can experience metal fatigue, corrosion, and rubber degradation that are invisible during external inspections,” the agency claimed. “Overhaul intervals are designed to identify these failures before they become safety risks.”

While scheduled overhaul regulations aren’t necessary out of the ordinary, they typically apply to commercial operators. It’s worth mentioning that the cost of this service is often less significant to this side of the industry… unlike general aviation, where an overhaul could cost as much as the aircraft itself.

Price isn’t the regulation’s only critique. Many argue that the policy shift is a power overreach that damages local flight training and tourism operators, jeopardizing thousands of jobs.

The regulator previously included an exemption under AIC 18.19, allowing aircraft owners to maintain airworthiness through inspections instead of age. However, SACAA picked up on several inconsistencies, including in the experience of inspectors. Less experienced inspectors, for example, could fail to notice signs of fatigue and deterioration.

“The blanket inspection exemption created a loophole. Safety cannot depend on subjective interpretations of engine health,” SACAA noted.

FMI: www.caa.co.za