EASA Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Safety Directives (SDs) and Safety Information Bulletins (SIBs) can be consulted in real time in the Agency's Safety Publications Tool.
EASA Safety Publications Tool (AD/SD/SIB)
Some of our most visited Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are:
Airworthiness Directive (AD)
A document issued or adopted by the Agency which mandates actions to be performed on an aircraft to restore an acceptable level of safety, when evidence shows that the safety level of this aircraft may otherwise be compromised.
EASA ADs are issued in accordance with the Continuing Airworthiness of Type Design (CAP) procedure and the AD Writing Instructions.
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AD Legal Framework
The Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO) assigns responsibility for the airworthiness of aircraft to the State of Registry through Annex 8, Part II, Chapter 4.2.3.1(d). ICAO Annex 8, Part II, Chapter 4.2.1.1(a) requires the State of Design to transmit to the State of Registry any information necessary for the continuing airworthiness and safe operation of the aircraft (‘mandatory continuing airworthiness information’).
In accordance with Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 Article 77 (1), EASA is responsible for fulfilling the State of Design responsibilities of its Member States. Pursuant to Article 77 (1)(h) of the Basic Regulation, EASA shall react without undue delay to a safety or security problem and issue and disseminate the applicable mandatory information.
Such mandatory information is issued in the form of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), as defined in Initial Airworthiness Regulation (EU) 748/2012 Annex I (Part-21) Article 21.A.3B. ADs are directly applicable in all EASA Member States, and they are disseminated by the Agency to all competent authorities of the Member States and of ICAO contracting states.
In accordance with Continuing Airworthiness Regulation (EC)1321/2014 Annex I (Part-M) Article M.A.301, the aircraft continuing airworthiness shall be ensured by the accomplishment of any applicable AD. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Agency (Part-M Article M.A.303) or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry (Article 71 of the Basic Regulation).
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ADs Applicable to EASA Approved Designs
ADs applicable to products, parts or appliances with an EASA certified or validated design are those issued or adopted by the Agency.
• ADs issued by EASA on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of the Basic Regulation (> AD Legal Framework)
• ADs adopted by EASA
- For ADs issued by EU and non-EU States of Design before 28 September 2003:
through Initial Airworthiness Regulation Article 3 (1)(a)(iii)
- For ADs issued by non-EU States of Design after 28 September 2003:
through Executive Director Decision 2019/018/ED (Implementation of airworthiness directives for products, parts and appliances designed in third countries).
Each foreign State of Design AD is directly applicable in EASA Member States on its effective date, unless EASA issues a different Decision.
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Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) to AD
An EASA approved deviation to an AD. It is a different way, other than the one specified in an AD, to address an unsafe condition on products, parts and appliances. An AMOC must provide an acceptable level of safety, equivalent to the level of safety intended for compliance with the related AD.
AMOCs are issued by EASA in accordance with the AMOC procedure. Use form FO.CAP.00042 to apply for AMOC to an AD.
AMOC approvals are not public documents. Copies can be obtained from the AMOC approval holder.
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Proposed Airworthiness Directive (PAD)
Unless an unsafe condition identified on a product, part or appliance requires immediate AD action, EASA will issue a PAD for public consultation in accordance with the CAP procedure. All interested persons may send their comments on the PAD to EASA prior to the consultation end date. Comments will be collected and answered in a Comment Response Document (CRD) that will be published on the SP Tool together with the final AD.
Safety Directive (SD)
Corrective action to an urgent safety problem, issued by the Agency in accordance with Article 76 (6) of the Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. It is mandatory for organisations for which EASA is the Competent Authority, including Third Country organisations holding an EASA certificate.
Safety Information Bulletin (SIB)
An information document that intends to alert, inform and draw the attention of the aviation community on safety issues. SIBs contain non-mandatory information and guidance that do not qualify for an AD.
EASA issues SIBs and endorses Foreign Safety Advisory Information (FSAI) in accordance with the Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) procedure.
Safety Publications Tool
The following documents are published in the EASA Safety Publications (SP) Tool:
- EASA Airworthiness Directives
- EASA Proposed Airworthiness Directives (PAD) with the possibility to comment
- Most Foreign State of Design ADs adopted by EASA since 28 September 2003
Note: The SP tool does not provide a comprehensive list of adopted foreign State of Design ADs
- Most ADs issued by EASA Member States (State of Design) prior to 28 September 2003
Note: The SP Tool does not provide a comprehensive list of pre-EASA ADs
- EASA Safety Directives (SD)
- EASA Safety Information Bulletins (SIB)
- Foreign Safety Advisory Information endorsed by EASA
The EASA SP Tool offers a free text search as well as filtering by products, parts and appliances, document type and publication dates.
Subscription is free of charge and allows users to set personal filters and receive notifications.
The SP Tool User Guide provides detailed instructions.
The EASA SP Tool is offered as a service to stakeholders, while the dissemination of Airworthiness Directives to aircraft owners is a responsibility of the State of Registry and does not belong to the Agency (> AD Legal Framework).
EASA Member State and Foreign State of Design ADs
The following websites may be consulted for Airworthiness Directives issued by EASA Member State or Foreign State of Design authorities.
Contacts
For inquiries relating to Safety Publications you can use our Contact us - Aviation | EASA (europa.eu)
