The FAA has finalized its airworthiness directive (AD) on some Cirrus brakes. Cirrus Design argued that the best fix to avoid overheated brakes (or brake fires) is to taxi more slowly. The FAA agreed but said it will nonetheless also require maintenance and hardware upgrades as proposed. The AD applies to some 2,135 Cirrus SR20 and SR22 airplanes. It requires replacement of O-ring seals or brake calipers as well as modifications to landing-gear wheel fairings to allow for temperature monitoring, plus changes to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. The AD results from several reports of the castering-nosewheel airplanes experiencing main gear brake fires and two airplanes losing directional control, the FAA says. Cirrus has said it will provide warranty credit for some of the work. The AD takes effect on Nov. 17.
FAA Finalizes Cirrus Brake-Fix AD
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has finalized an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for 2,135 Cirrus SR20 and SR22 airplanes to address issues of main gear brake fires and loss of directional control.
- The AD mandates hardware and maintenance upgrades, including replacing O-ring seals or brake calipers, modifying wheel fairings for temperature monitoring, and updating the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
- While Cirrus suggested slower taxiing as a fix, the FAA requires these physical modifications and maintenance, which take effect on November 17, with Cirrus providing some warranty credit.
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