# JASC 5500: Empennage Structure

- Type: JASC system/component code (FAA)
- ATA chapter: 55 Stabilizers
- Title in the code table: EMPENNAGE STRUCTURE
- Service difficulty reports: 490
- FAA code table: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/JASC_Code.pdf#page=50
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5500

## What it covers

The horizontal and vertical stabilizers include the structure of the elevator and rudder. For general reports of empennage structure which affect two or more surfaces or are reported with insufficient information to file in a more specific JASC 5500 series code. This code is also used for reports that pertain to flying wires.

## Service difficulty reports (490, newest 50)

- [SDR DXTA2026101910227](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DXTA2026101910227), Oct 17, 2026: Cessna 680A. EROSION SHIELD. DAMAGED. ON TAKEOFF ACCELERATING THROUGH 90KTS A LARGE BIRD FLEW AT THE AIRCRAFT AND VEERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NOSE AND UP A (N906QS)
- [SDR IPXA2026090797965](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2026090797965), Sep 5, 2026: Boeing 7478F. ELEVATOR. NOT REPORTED. ADD SDR FOR EO-85445-JIC2. ACCOMPLISHED EO-85445-JIC2. (N623UP)
- [SDR IPXA2026090797876](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2026090797876), Sep 5, 2026: Boeing 7478F. ELEVATOR. NOT REPORTED. ADD SDR FOR EO-85445-JIC1. ACCOMPLISHED EO-85445-JIC1. (N623UP)
- [SDR DXTA2026060508322](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DXTA2026060508322), Jun 2, 2026: Cessna 680A. MOTOR. FAULTED. WHEN CLIMBING, WITH THE AUTOPILOT ENGAGED, BETWEEN FL210 AND FL220, THE AMBER STAB TRIM MONITOR MESSAGE POSTED. WE RAN T (N540QS)
- [SDR J7SA2026041500479](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/J7SA2026041500479), Apr 13, 2026: Bombdr BD1001A10. BRACKET. MISINSTALLED. AIR TURN BACK DUE TO PITCH TRIM ACTUATION ON PILOT SIDE WORKED UNTIL REACHING 3.0 TRIM SETTING THEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING  (N583FX)
- [SDR U2RA2026051200017](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/U2RA2026051200017), Mar 9, 2026: Boeing 747428. DOUBLER. CRACKED. FINDING 002002 DOCUMENT FCD 744-53-0057-DURING C-CHECK 0.7" CRACK HAS EXTENDED FROM THE STOP HOLE OF THE PREVIOUS CRACK  (N952CA)
- [SDR AALA202603038969](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202603038969), Feb 26, 2026: Airbus A319132. UNKNOWN. VIBRATION. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: SIGNIFICANT AIRFRAME VIBRATION ABOVE 300KTS / .78M. FL250-280 IN CLIMB. ENGINE VIBRATION WAS NORM (N804AW)
- [SDR 8TNC202601220001](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/8TNC202601220001), Jan 22, 2026: Casa C212DF. SKIN. CRACKED. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IN ANCHORAGE, AK (ANC), MAINTENANCE NOTED THAT (2EA.) FASTENERS COMMON TO THE HORIZONTAL STAB (N405CP)
- [SDR IXXA20260104002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IXXA20260104002), Jan 4, 2026: Boeing 767323. STRUCTURE. DAMAGED. AREA 1 HAS CRACK INDICATION WHILE PERFORMING BS1809.5 HFEC OPEN HOLE SCANS PER ATI-EO-5300-767-07548, SB 767 53A0078 REV (N457AZ)
- [SDR CALA2025090808603](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CALA2025090808603), Aug 22, 2025: Boeing 737824. SKIN. CRACKED. CRACK FOUND AT LEFT HORIZONTAL STAB LOWER SKIN AT HSS 147.90, INBD ROW. CRACK LENGTH : 1". ACCOMPLISHED PERMANENT REPAIR (N87527)
- [SDR CALA2025050804557](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CALA2025050804557), May 7, 2025: Boeing 737724. RIB. CRACKED. LH HORIZ STAB RIB #1 STIFFENER 3 CRACK. (REF AAR N/R 9962026) INSTALLED REPAIR PARTS AT L/H HORIZONTAL RIB 1 STIFFENER 3 (N17752)
- [SDR 2025FA0000203](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2025FA0000203), Mar 24, 2025: Cessna 560XL. STRAKE. CORRODED. LH AND RH STRAKES HAVE SEVERAL AREAS OF CORROSION ON UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES. PERFORMED 4 EACH DOUBLER REPAIRS TO LH ST (N587QS)
- [SDR 2025FA0000201](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2025FA0000201), Mar 22, 2025: Cessna 560XL. STRAKE. CORRODED. LH STRAKE TRAILING EDGE WEDGE FITTING (N587QS)
- [SDR VNAA20250320076](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA20250320076), Mar 19, 2025: Cndair CL6002C10. BONDING PLATE. DEBONDED. HN00199472 DISCREPANCY: PANEL 326CT HAS DISBONDED LIGHTNING DIVERTER PLATE WITH POSSIBLE CORROSION NEEDS FURTHER EVALUAT (N509AE)
- [SDR DALA2025030201584](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025030201584), Feb 25, 2025: Boeing 737832. BUSHING. NOT REPORTED. (LOG 0829464) ALL 8 BUSHINGS ON AFT PRIMARY AND FAIL SAFE FITTING MUST BE REPLACED. R/R ALL 8 BUSHINGS ON AFT PRIMARY AN (N3737C)
- [SDR QXEA2024120400289](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/QXEA2024120400289), Nov 29, 2024: Emb ERJ170200LR. FITTING. BROKEN. FLT CTRL NO DISPATCH ON EICAS DURING CAPT FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK AFTER ENGINE START.FOUND FAULTS 27030378FCS & 22110198PB2 (N634QX)
- [SDR DALA2024110110572](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024110110572), Oct 31, 2024: Boeing 767332. ACCESS PANEL. CHAFED. SHIP 1708 RH STABILIZER BODY LOWER SEAL ACCESS PANEL FWD CUTOUT WEAR STRAP FOUND CHAFED. CORRECTIVE ACTION: THE WEAR STR (N178DZ)
- [SDR N6WA2024101301](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/N6WA2024101301), Oct 13, 2024: Cndair CL6002C11. FAIRING. DAMAGED. TAIL FAIRING DAMAGED. REPLACED AFT FAIRING IAW CRJ AMM 55-32-86. (N556GJ)
- [SDR SWIA20250113004](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWIA20250113004), Oct 4, 2024: Cndair CL6002B19. ISOLATION VALVE. CHAFED. COMPLY WITH SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CODE: RA74078-601R-53-61-7737 932EV MXCODEID59444-PR - FOUND SMALL CHAFE DAMAGE ON WIN (N932EV)
- [SDR SWAA2024093042690](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2024093042690), Sep 26, 2024: Boeing 7377H4. STRUT. CRACKED. FOUND CRACK ON TRF PN 340-166-210-0 SN PA179695 STRUT 16 AREA C2 THAT MEASURES .375' IN LENGTH.<[01] C/W EA M-21-172-008 (N476WN)
- [SDR 2024FA0000736](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2024FA0000736), Sep 22, 2024: Boeing 78710. BOLT. CORRODED. 9V-SCF IS CURRENTLY IN HANGAR. DURING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ADSI IB78J550001 INSPECTION OF THE TENSION BOLT HOLES, 2
- [SDR 2024FA0000731](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2024FA0000731), Sep 22, 2024: Boeing 78710. BOLT. CORRODED. 9V-SCF IS CURRENTLY IN HANGAR. DURING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ADSI IB78J550001 INSPECTION OF THE TENSION BOLT HOLES, C
- [SDR JR2R20240829301](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JR2R20240829301), Aug 29, 2024: Emb ERJ170200LR. FITTING. DAMAGED. LH FR100 FITTING SAFE PIN HOLE HAS EVIDENCE OF ELONGATING. REPAIRED (N87318)
- [SDR DALA2024080507777](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024080507777), Aug 1, 2024: Boeing 7379GPER. UNKNOWN. DAMAGED. (LOG 6207922) WHILE WORKING INBD STAB TRIM WRITE UP FOUND DAMAGE. C/W ERA 619788-14 REV. ORIG. (N948DZ)
- [SDR 2024FA0000561](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2024FA0000561), Jul 28, 2024: Boeing 78710. ATTACH FITTING. CORRODED. WHILE ACCOMPLISHING FAA AD 2022-15-01, FOUND HOLE #1 AND #4 TO HAVE CORROSION
- [SDR JGVR202404050002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JGVR202404050002), Apr 5, 2024: Cessna 560XL. STRAKE. CORRODED. DURING THE VENTRAL STRAKE COIN TAP TEST FOUND MULTIPLE SPOT OF SURFACE LEVEL CORROSION. PERFORM REPAIR TO RH STRAKE CORR (N678QS)
- [SDR JGVR202404050001](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JGVR202404050001), Apr 5, 2024: Cessna 560XL. STRAKE. CORRODED. DURING THE VENTRAL STRAKE COIN TAP TEST FOUND MULTIPLE SPOT OF SURFACE LEVEL CORROSION. PERFORM REPAIR TO LH STRAKE CORR (N678QS)
- [SDR AALA202403183669](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202403183669), Mar 13, 2024: Boeing 737823. SKIN. CRACKED. AIRCRAFT IN BASE MAINTENANCE: FOUND CRACK IN AFT LEFT HAND OF SECTION 48 JUST AFT OF BS 1138 MEASURING 2 INCHES LENGTH B (N902AN)
- [SDR DALA2024030503014](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024030503014), Mar 4, 2024: Airbus A330941. BOLT. LOOSE. SHIP 3418 THS R/H LOWER ATTACHMENT TO THE CARDAN HAS A LOOSE BOLT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: RETORQUED BOLT AND REPLACED TAB WA (N418DX)
- [SDR DALA2024011600636](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024011600636), Jan 15, 2024: Airbus A321211. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. SHIP 3052 WEAR ON O/B SERVO CONTROL BUSHING ON ELEVATOR LT ATTACH FITTING I/B LUG (1 E/A). CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACED B (N352DN)
- [SDR DALA2024011600635](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024011600635), Jan 15, 2024: Airbus A321211. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. SHIP 3052 WEAR ON I/B SERVO CONTROL BUSHING ON ELEVATOR L/H ATTACH FITTING O/B LUG. CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACED BUSHING  (N352DN)
- [SDR DALA2024011600634](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024011600634), Jan 15, 2024: Airbus A321211. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. SHIP 3052 WEAR ON I/B SERVO CONTROL BUSHING ON ELEVATOR LT ATTACH FITTING I/B LUG (1 E/A). CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACED B (N352DN)
- [SDR DALA2024011600633](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024011600633), Jan 15, 2024: Airbus A321211. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. SHIP 3052 WEAR ON O/B SERVO CONTROL BUSHING ON ELEVATOR L/H ATTACH FITTING O/B LUG. CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACED BUSHING  (N352DN)
- [SDR DALA2024011600632](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2024011600632), Jan 15, 2024: Airbus A321211. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. SHIP 3052 WEAR ON INBOARD ACTUATOR FITTING IB LUG PLAIN BUSHING ON RH ELEVATOR (1 EA). CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACED BUSHI (N352DN)
- [SDR 2023FA0000856](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2023FA0000856), Dec 30, 2023: Gulstm 200. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. DURING G200 ECS ZONAL INSPECTION SEVERAL FASTENERS FOUND DISCOLORED WITH POSSIBLE EVIDENCE OF ARCING IN ECS COMPARTMENT  (N162GB)
- [SDR 2023FA0000744](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2023FA0000744), Nov 6, 2023: Boeing B17G. FITTING. CORRODED. UPON REMOVAL OF HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS AND VERTICAL FIN ON THE AIRCRAFT IT WAS NOTED THAT THEIR ARE SEVERAL CAST FITTING (N5017N)
- [SDR SWAA2023112013478](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2023112013478), Oct 22, 2023: Boeing 7378H4. DOOR LATCH. CORRODED. STABILIZER TRIM ACCESS DOOR LATCH MECHANISM HARDWARE/COMPONENTS HAS CORROSION.<[01] REMOVED AND REPLACED STABILIZER TRIM (N8673F)
- [SDR DALA2023092907996](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2023092907996), Sep 23, 2023: Boeing 767332. FITTING. DAMAGED. ERA 611846-14AD ISSUED FOR REPAIR TO LH AND RH H STAB PIVOT FITT ING ATTACH HOLE REWORK. DTA DTE DAMAGE TOLERANCE ANALYS (N172DZ)
- [SDR ASAA2023090645088](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/ASAA2023090645088), Sep 6, 2023: Boeing 737790. RIB. CRACKED. UPON INSTALL OF SKIN REPAIR STAB RIB WAS FOUND CRACKED AT AFT MOST HOLE IN RADIUS AT R/H STAB STA 92. GROUNDED - YES. RE (N611AS)
- [SDR UIEA2023082900801](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/UIEA2023082900801), Aug 28, 2023: Boeing 7474B5F. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. MDDR 188056, PERMANENT REPAIR OF LH ELEVATOR ON OR BEFORE 25 F/C PER EO 4455A183(<P>1) REMOVE THE DAMAGE MATERIAL, CLEAN (N446MC)
- [SDR IPXA2023082794035](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2023082794035), Aug 19, 2023: Airbus A300F4622R. SUPPORT. CRACKED. INSPECTION TYPE:1CSUPPORT BRACKET P/N A5517155320300 IS CRACKED.REMOVED AND REPLACED IAW SRM 51-40-21. (N135UP)
- [SDR P5CA2023080200058](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/P5CA2023080200058), Aug 18, 2023: Boeing 74787UF. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. LH HORI. STAB. TIP SUPPORT U CHNNEL FOUND CRACK(<P>BONDED NEW U CHANNEL PER RI NO: RI-55-10-16388 REV.A</P>) (N857GT)
- [SDR P5CA2023081300073](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/P5CA2023081300073), Aug 18, 2023: Boeing 74787UF. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. RH HORIZ STAB AFT SUPPORT CHANNEL FOUND CRACK(<P>RH HORIZ STAB ACCESS PANEL 344GB AFT SUPPORT CHANNEL REPLACED AND INSTA (N857GT)
- [SDR AALA202308112457](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202308112457), Aug 10, 2023: Boeing 737823. STABILIZER. WARNING LIGHT. AIRCRAFT WAS NOT GROUNDED: AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED INTO MIA DUE TO STABILIZER TRIM FAILURE WITH BOTH AUTPILOTS ON AND  (N976NN)
- [SDR ENHA20230801002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/ENHA20230801002), Aug 1, 2023: Cessna 208B. UNKNOWN. UNKNOWN. DURING SCHEDULED INSPECTIONS PER CESSNA TASK 53-10-00-257 ,A CRACK WAS NOTED AT THE HORIZONYAT RH AFT FITTING. (N9310F)
- [SDR SWAA2023072882387](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2023072882387), Jul 26, 2023: Boeing 7378H4. SEAL. CRACKED. RIGHT HORIZONTAL STAB FWD UPPER SLIDING SEAL CRACKED.<[01] REMOVED AND REPLACED RIGHT HORIZONTAL STAB FWD UPPER SLIDING  (N8657B)
- [SDR SWAA2023072881938](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2023072881938), Jul 25, 2023: Boeing 7377H4. SEAL. CRACKED. THE RIGHT UPPER HORIZONTAL STAB TO BODY FRONT SLIDING SEAL IS CRACKED.<[01] REMOVED AND REPLACED SEAL PER AMM 53-31-31 (N233LV)
- [SDR SWIA202309080723](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWIA202309080723), Jul 23, 2023: Cndair CL6002B19. UNKNOWN. CORRODED. AFTER REMOVAL OF R/H ELEVATOR FITTING AT BL15.25, FITTING WAS DIS-ASSEMBLED TO EVALUTE PRIOR TO NEW BEARING INSTALLATION (N978SW)
- [SDR SWI202309008321](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWI202309008321), Jul 22, 2023: Cndair CL6002B19. UNKNOWN. CORRODED. UPON REMOVAL ON JOB HN103215 CAMP #26917265, FOUND L/H ELEVATOR L/E HINGE FITTING ASSY P/N 600-24043-1 AT ES16.52 TO HAV (N978SW)
- [SDR SWIA202309080718](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWIA202309080718), Jul 18, 2023: Cndair CL6002B19. UNKNOWN. GOUGED. RH ELEVATOR INBD HINGE GOUGED (C-CHECK RO 9/6/2023) REMOVED GOUGE FROM RH ELEVATOR INBD HINGE, WITHIN LIMITS. RECEIVED A (N978SW)

All 490: https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5500/reports.md

## Airworthiness concern sheets (8)

- [AIR760-2026-04-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR760-2026-04-S-5500-ACS): Tail skid bracket deformation leads to rudder jamming. Issued May 8, 2026
- [AIR750-2025-03-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR750-2025-03-S-5500-ACS): Empennage Cracking. Issued May 27, 2025
- [AIR770-2020-02-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR770-2020-02-S-5500-ACS): Rudder. Issued Sep 4, 2020
- [AIR750-2009-13-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR750-2009-13-S-5500-ACS): Stabilizers. Issued Sep 21, 2009
- [AIR760-2008-12-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR760-2008-12-S-5500-ACS): Rudder and Vertical Fin Hinge. Issued Jun 16, 2008
- [AIR760-2008-08-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR760-2008-08-S-5500-ACS): Main Tubular Spar. Issued May 21, 2008
- [AIR760-2008-04-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR760-2008-04-S-5500-ACS): Pneumatic Supply Tube. Issued Mar 10, 2008
- [AIR750-2006-02-S-5500-ACS](https://openairdocs.org/acs/AIR750-2006-02-S-5500-ACS): Vertical and Horizontal Stabilizer. Issued May 16, 2006

## Other codes in chapter 55

- [JASC 5510](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5510): Horizontal Stabilizer Structure (5,964 reports)
- [JASC 5511](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5511): Horizontal Stabilizer, Spar/Rib (6,457 reports)
- [JASC 5512](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5512): Horizontal Stabilizer, Plate/Skin (7,883 reports)
- [JASC 5513](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5513): Horizontal Stabilizer, Tab Structure (97 reports)
- [JASC 5514](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5514): Horizontal Stabilizer Miscellaneous Structure (2,783 reports)
- [JASC 5520](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5520): Elevator Structure (5,385 reports)
- [JASC 5521](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5521): Elevator, Spar/Rib (520 reports)
- [JASC 5522](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5522): Elevator, Plate/Skin (3,272 reports)
- [JASC 5523](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5523): Elevator, Tab Structure (1,033 reports)
- [JASC 5524](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5524): Elevator Miscellaneous Structure (323 reports)
- [JASC 5530](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5530): Vertical Stabilizer (2,534 reports)
- [JASC 5531](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5531): Vertical Stabilizer, Spar/Rib (1,233 reports)
- [JASC 5532](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5532): Vertical Stabilizer, Plate/Skin (1,751 reports)
- [JASC 5533](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5533): Ventral Structure (77 reports)
- [JASC 5534](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5534): Vertical Stabilizer Miscellaneous Structure (816 reports)
- [JASC 5540](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5540): Rudder Structure (1,901 reports)
- [JASC 5541](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5541): Rudder, Spar/Rib (277 reports)
- [JASC 5542](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5542): Rudder, Plate/Skin (1,372 reports)
- [JASC 5543](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5543): Rudder, Tab Structure (196 reports)
- [JASC 5544](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5544): Rudder Miscellaneous Structure (270 reports)
- [JASC 5550](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5550): Empennage Flight Control Surfaces, Attach Fittings (66 reports)
- [JASC 5551](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5551): Horizontal Stabilizer, Attach Fittings (672 reports)
- [JASC 5552](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5552): Elevator Tab, Attach Fittings (222 reports)
- [JASC 5553](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5553): Vertical Stabilizer, Attach Fittings (586 reports)
- [JASC 5554](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5554): Rudder/Tab, Attach Fittings (132 reports)
- [JASC 5597](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5597): Stabilizer System Wiring (14 reports)

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