Maintenance and Modifications
FAA grounds Learjet 45 fleet, demands tail jackscrew fix
The FAA’s concern that a critical part on the Bombardier Learjet 45 “was not manufactured per the type design data” led it to ground the entire fleet of 17

The FAA’s concern that a critical part on the Bombardier Learjet 45 “was not manufactured per the type design data” led it to ground the entire fleet of 173 U.S. Learjet 45s on August 13. The UK followed suit and promptly grounded the 11 Learjet 45s on that country’s register.

Airworthiness Directive 2003-16-19 appeared in the Federal Register the same day and gave owners three days to make a single flight to the maintenance facility of their choice. Those who were unable to comply were forced to seek a ferry permit after the August 16 deadline. It was not known at press time if any owners had had to resort to this tactic.