Which entity issues Airworthiness Directives?

Which entity issues Airworthiness Directives?

• A. The Federal Aviation Administration
• B. The National Transportation Safety Board
• C. The International Civil Aviation Organization
• D. The Department of Transportation

Answer: (A)

Airworthiness Directives are binding safety requirements issued by the national aviation authority to address identified unsafe conditions in aircraft and components. In the United States, that authority is the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA uses ADs under 14 CFR Part 39 to require inspections, repairs, or modifications, with specific compliance timelines. They can be emergency ADs issued quickly when risks are high or standard ADs issued through a regular process. Compliance is mandatory for affected aircraft and parts, and penalties can apply for noncompliance. The other entities have different roles: the NTSB investigates accidents and issues safety recommendations, not directives; the ICAO develops international standards and recommended practices but does not issue binding directives to individual operators; and the Department of Transportation oversees the FAA but does not itself issue Airworthiness Directives.

Airworthiness Directives are binding safety requirements issued by the national aviation authority to address identified unsafe conditions in aircraft and components. In the United States, that authority is the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA uses ADs under 14 CFR Part 39 to require inspections, repairs, or modifications, with specific compliance timelines. They can be emergency ADs issued quickly when risks are high or standard ADs issued through a regular process. Compliance is mandatory for affected aircraft and parts, and penalties can apply for noncompliance.

The other entities have different roles: the NTSB investigates accidents and issues safety recommendations, not directives; the ICAO develops international standards and recommended practices but does not issue binding directives to individual operators; and the Department of Transportation oversees the FAA but does not itself issue Airworthiness Directives.