What is the primary purpose of an Airworthiness Directive (AD)?

The primary purpose of an Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to notify aircraft owners and operators of unsafe conditions that may exist in an aircraft, propeller, or equipment and to require specific actions to address these safety issues. When the FAA issues an AD, it is typically a response to findings such as accidents, service difficulties, or issues identified during inspections that may affect the safety of the flight. The AD outlines the necessary corrective actions, which might include inspections, repairs, modifications, or limitations on the operations of the affected aircraft.

In contrast, instructions for aircraft operation, compliance with general flying regulations, and the listing of maintenance procedures are not the primary intentions of an AD. While those elements are important to overall aviation safety, an AD specifically focuses on immediate threats to airworthiness and mandates that those threats be addressed to ensure the continued safety of flight operations.