The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive applicable to many Cessna 210 airplanes. With an effective date of March 9, AD 2020-03-16 calls for the visual and eddy-current inspection of the carry-through spar lower cap and any correction action required as a result of the inspection. It also calls for the application of a special protective coating and corrosion inhibiting compound.

Compliance is due within 60 days or 20 hours of in-service time, and applies to models 210G, T210G, 210H, T210H, 210J, T210J, 210K, T210K, 210L, T210L, 210M and T210M airplanes.

The AD follows on a Mandatory Service Bulletin issued by Cessna Aircraft parent company Textron last November after the in-flight breakup of a Cessna 210 in Australia that was traced to fatigue cracking caused by corrosion.

The cost of complying with the AD has been estimated by the FAA to be less than U$2,000. However, if cracks are found, the wing spar will need replacing, and the FAA estimates that cost to be in the U$43,600 range per aircraft.

The AD is appended below.

Photo by James Lawrence