FAA Demands Rust Checks on LAVIA PA-25 Airplane Wings
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants all owners of LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A. PA-25 airplanes to check their wings for rust and cracks to keep flying safe. If any damage is found, repairs or replacements will be needed. Comments on this plan are open until January 2, 2026, so owners should get ready to act soon and possibly spend some money fixing their planes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory wing-spar inspections
If you own or operate a LAVIA ARGENTINA S.A. Model PA-25, PA-25-235, or PA-25-260 airplane, you must inspect the front and rear wing spars for corrosion and cracks. Inspections must be done at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first, with initial compliance windows that include thresholds such as 5 years, 500 hours TIS, or within 10 hours TIS after the AD's effective date depending on the airplane's history.
Repair or replace before further flight
If any crack(s) or corrosion are found during required inspections, you must repair or replace the affected front or rear wing spar before further flight using a method approved by the FAA. The proposed AD explicitly requires repairs or replacements to address the unsafe condition to prevent a wing separating from the fuselage in flight.
Eddy‑current checks and 18‑month replacement rule
The AD requires eddy current inspections of the front wing spar flange in certain cases, with some airplanes required to undergo eddy current inspections every 50 hours TIS and others at up to 100 hours TIS or 12 months. Airplanes that must have eddy current inspections every 50 hours TIS must have the wing spar replaced within 18 months after starting those inspections.
FAA cost estimates and affected fleet size
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 467 U.S.-registered airplanes. The FAA estimates an inspection for cracks at 16 work-hours (16 x $85/hr = $1,360 per inspection) and an inspection for corrosion at 8 work-hours (8 x $85/hr = $680 per inspection). The FAA also lists replacement work as involving 40 work-hours at $85 per hour.
Special flight permits not allowed
The proposed AD prohibits special flight permits for affected airplanes. That means you cannot fly the airplane under a special flight permit to move it to a maintenance facility if it is subject to this AD.
Must follow specific LAVIASA service bulletins
Compliance with this AD requires performing the actions described in LAVIASA aeroindustria Service Bulletin No. 25-57-09, REV 0 (Nov 27, 2023) and LAVIASA aviacion Service Bulletin No. 25-57-11, Rev 00 (Aug 23, 2024). These service bulletins describe inspection holes/doors, borescope and eddy current inspections, and related procedures you must use.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08943 — Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-11875 — Petition for Exemption; Summary of Petition Received; NetJets Aviation, Inc.
NetJets Aviation, a big private jet company, asked the FAA to let them skip some usual flight rules. This could change how they operate their planes, and the public has until July 2, 2026, to share their thoughts. No money changes are mentioned yet, but this could speed up or simplify some flights for NetJets.
2026-11861 — Establishment of Class E Airspace; Freer, TX
The FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Silverhorn Ranch Airport in Freer, TX, to support safer flying with new instrument flight rules. This change starts on October 29, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying in and out of this airport. No extra costs for the public, just smoother and safer skies for everyone!
2026-11904 — Establishment of Class E Airspace; Mullin, TX
The FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Smoky Bend Ranch Airport in Mullin, TX to help pilots fly safely using instruments, especially in bad weather. This change starts on October 29, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). No extra costs for the public, just smoother and safer skies for everyone!
2026-11792 — Modification of Class E Airspace, Omak Airport, Omak, WA
The FAA is changing the Class E airspace around Omak Airport in Washington to make flying safer and smoother for pilots using instruments. This update starts on September 3, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). No extra costs for the public, just better airspace management to keep flights on track!
2026-11730 — Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
Starting June 11, 2026, the FAA is updating how pilots approach and take off from certain airports to keep flights safe and smooth. These changes affect pilots and airports by adjusting flight paths and safety rules based on new tech and obstacles. No big costs here—just smarter, safer skies for everyone flying under instrument rules!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20061 — Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA wants to update safety rules for certain Boeing 737 airplanes to catch cracks and loose parts faster. They’re shortening the time between inspections and changing repair instructions to keep flights safer. Airlines need to comment by January 2, 2026, and should expect some costs for quicker checks and fixes.
Next: 2025-20085 — Airworthiness Directives; Twin Commander Aircraft LLC Airplanes
If you own or fly Twin Commander airplanes (models 685 through 695A), the FAA wants you to check key parts of your plane for cracks, rust, or loose bolts to keep everyone safe. They’re asking for inspections and possible repairs or replacements soon, plus a quick report back to them. Comments on this plan are open until January 2, 2026, so get ready to act and keep those planes flying strong!