# JASC 5540: Rudder Structure

- Type: JASC system/component code (FAA)
- ATA chapter: 55 Stabilizers
- Title in the code table: RUDDER STRUCTURE
- Service difficulty reports: 1,901
- FAA code table: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/JASC_Code.pdf#page=51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5540

## What it covers

For reports pertaining to the structural aspects of the vertical airfoil hinged to the vertical stabilizer. Does not include the actuators, actuator mechanism or mounting which are filed in JASC code 2720. Typical parts are hinge, hinge fittings, bearing, bolt, miscellaneous structure, etc.

## Service difficulty reports (1,901, newest 50)

- [SDR HNAA2026101901007](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HNAA2026101901007), Sep 23, 2026: Emb EMB145LR. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. RUDDER LOWER HINGE FITTING HAD PLAY. R & R RUDDER HINGE FITTING IAW SRM 51-40-02, & SRM 51-20-01. (N656AE)
- [SDR 6NLY2026092800021](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/6NLY2026092800021), Sep 22, 2026: Boeing 7879. RUDDER. DEBONDED. A RUDDER WAS RECEIVED IN OUR WORKSHOP FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE REPAIR. DURING INSPECTION A (WEDGE SHAPED) LOOSE PART WAS FOU
- [SDR DALA2026091505147](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2026091505147), Sep 12, 2026: Airbus A320212. RUDDER. EXCESS PLAY. REMOVE RUDDER. REMOVED AND REPLACED RUDDER REF AMDS CARD 2721-4001. (LP: 1809694, AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED) (N365NW)
- [SDR DALA2026091005064](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2026091005064), Sep 8, 2026: Airbus A319114. RUDDER. NO DISCREPANCY. WEIGH RUDDER IAW AMDS WORKCARD 5540-01015-02. WEIGHED RUDDER IAW AMDS WORKCARD 5540-01015-02 AND IAW AMDS WORK CARD 2721 (N343NB)
- [SDR HNAA2026092300897](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HNAA2026092300897), Aug 30, 2026: Emb EMB145LR. MOUNT. CRACKED. RUDDER II PANEL 327FR LOWER MOUNTING FLANGE CRACKED ON RH SIDE. REMOVED CRACKED RUDDER II PANEL 327FR LOWER MOUNTING FLA (N640AE)
- [SDR HNAA2026092300894](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HNAA2026092300894), Aug 22, 2026: Emb EMB145LR. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. RUDDER UPPER HINGE FITTING, AT VERTICAL STAB, HAS PLAY. REMOVED AND REPLACED RUDDER UPPER HINGE FITTING IAW SRM 51-40-02 (N640AE)
- [SDR VNAA202610060025](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA202610060025), Jul 30, 2026: Cndair CL6002D24. HINGE. WORN. FREE PLAY ON BEARING OF RUDDER HINGE FITTING #2 #3 AT REAR SPAR OF HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. RUDDER HINGE FITTING #2 #3 AT  (N648NN)
- [SDR IPXA2026072957272](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2026072957272), Jul 14, 2026: Airbus A300F4622R. SUPPORT. CORRODED. HORIZONTAL STAB, R/H UPPER APRON ATTACH AREA, ONE BRACKET WITH CORROSION. OUT OF SEQUENCE: STEP 2. INSTALLED SUPPORT, US (N144UP)
- [SDR 1Q2R2026071920133](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/1Q2R2026071920133), Jul 8, 2026: Cndair CL6002C10. HINGE FITTING. GOUGED. AFT SIDE OF RUDDER, CENTER SECTION, CENTER HINGE IS GOUGED. (N523AE)
- [SDR 1Q2R2026071920132](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/1Q2R2026071920132), Jul 8, 2026: Cndair CL6002C10. HINGE FITTING. GOUGED. AFT SIDE OF RUDDER, CENTER SECTION, UPPER HINGE IS GOUGED. (N523AE)
- [SDR IPXA2026080238617](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2026080238617), Jul 7, 2026: Airbus A300F4622R. ACCESS PANEL. CORRODED. RH SIDE VERTICAL STAB. T/E UNDER ACCESS PANELS 323AR AND 325AR STUCTURE CORRODED. RH SIDE VERTICAL STAB. T/E UNDER ACCES (N144UP)
- [SDR VNAA202608210027](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA202608210027), Jul 5, 2026: Cndair CL6002C10. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. FREEPLAY ON BEARING OF RUDDER HINGE FITTING #3 AT REAR SPAR OF VERTICAL STABILIZER. BEARING OF RUDDER HINGE FITTING #3 A (N544EA)
- [SDR IPXA2026091324623](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/IPXA2026091324623), Jun 18, 2026: Boeing 76734AF. STRUCTURE. DAMAGED. MAJOR REPAIR. APPARENT DAMAGE TO TRAILING EDGE OF RUDDER. APPROX 3/4 OF THE WAY TO THE TOP. STEPS 3-7 COMPLETED PER EO-9 (N336UP)
- [SDR VNAA202607120020](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA202607120020), Jun 9, 2026: Cndair CL6002D24. HINGE. WORN. EXCCESSIVE FREE PLAY (LATERAL AND LONGITUDINAL) OF BEARINGS FOUND ON BOTH 2 CENTRAL RUDDER HINGES OF VERTICAL STABILAZER (N607NN)
- [SDR SWIA2026051376997](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWIA2026051376997), May 13, 2026: Cndair CL6002B19. HINGE. NICKED. THE RUDDER'S MIDDLE BOTTOM HINGE IS NICKED AND CHAFED ON ITS TOP LUG. REPAIRED RUDDER PCU HINGE FITTING BY COMPLYING WIT (N477CA)
- [SDR SWIA2026051376991](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWIA2026051376991), May 13, 2026: Cndair CL6002B19. HINGE. CHAFED. THE RUDDER'S MIDDLE CENTER HINGE IS CHAFED BETWEEN THE LUGS. REPAIRED RUDDER PCU HINGE FITTING BY COMPLYING WITH ALL REP (N477CA)
- [SDR AALA202605171299](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202605171299), May 12, 2026: Boeing 737823. ARM. CORRODED. AIRCRAFT IN BASE MAINTENANCE: CORROSION ON RUDDER BALANCE ARM BETWEEN RUDDER STA 160 AND STA 170. REPLACED ARM PER CMM 5 (N992AN)
- [SDR HNAA2026052000409](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HNAA2026052000409), Apr 10, 2026: Emb EMB145LR. HINGE FITTING. WORN. RUDDER I UPPER HINGE ATTACHMENT FITTING TRIANGLE FITTING ATTACHMENT TANGS WORN. REMOVED AND REPLACED WORN RUDDER I UPPER (N655AE)
- [SDR DALA2026031701844](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2026031701844), Mar 12, 2026: Airbus BD5001A10. RUDDER. DAMAGED. RUDDER PERMANENT REPAIR PER ERA 632577-14 REVISION ORIGINAL SECTION IV. ERA 632577 REV ORIGINAL SEC IV COMPLIED WITH PER (N106DU)
- [SDR HNAA2026032600242](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/HNAA2026032600242), Mar 3, 2026: Emb EMB145LR. HINGE FITTING. WORN. RUDDER I LOWER CENTER HINGE FITTING UPPER DOUBLE HAT BUSHING HOLE WORN. REWORKED AND ACCEPTED WORN RUDDER I LOWER CENTER (N699AE)
- [SDR CALA2026021013668](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/CALA2026021013668), Feb 5, 2026: Airbus A321271NX. RUDDER. INFLT SEPARATION. DIMENSIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS 3.5 INCHES X 5 INCH SECTION OF FWD LOWER RUDDER HAS DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT NOTED. INTERM. REPAI (N24513)
- [SDR JJBA20260126072](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JJBA20260126072), Jan 26, 2026: Emb EMB145XR. NUT PLATE. DAMAGED. ON RUDDER II, THE RIVET HOLE OF A NUT PLATE FOUND ELONGATED. ON RUDDER II, RIVET HOLE OF A NUT PLATE REPAIRED. (N14174)
- [SDR DALA2026042902701](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2026042902701), Dec 30, 2025: Airbus A319114. COVER. MISSING. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER MID HOIST POINT COVER MISSING. FWD TO NEF 25-73-06. C/W REMARKS. INSTALLED RUDDER HOIST POINT COVERS P (N339NB)
- [SDR VNAA20260125018](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA20260125018), Dec 13, 2025: Bombdr CL6002D15. HINGE FITTING. WORN. FREE PLAY ON BEARING OF RUDDER HINGE FITTING NR 3 AT REAR SPAR OF HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. RUDDER HINGE FITTING NR 3 AT RE (N601EN)
- [SDR VNAA202512020035](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/VNAA202512020035), Dec 4, 2025: Cndair CL6002C10. WEB. CORRODED. RUDDER LOWER WEB HAS AREAS OF CORROSION ON INNER SURFACE. CC670-22135-3 LOWER WEB (N515AE)
- [SDR AALA202512152854](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512152854), Nov 30, 2025: Airbus A321231. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB THRU FL 200 AT 325 IT'S INDICATED WE GOT FLIGHT CONTROL FLUTTE (N143AN)
- [SDR AALA202512150132](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512150132), Nov 30, 2025: Airbus A321231. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB THRU FL 200 AT 325 IT'S INDICATED WE GOT FLIGHT CONTROL FLUTTE (N143AN)
- [SDR AALA202512150455](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512150455), Nov 30, 2025: Airbus A321231. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB THRU FL 200 AT 325 IT'S INDICATED WE GOT FLIGHT CONTROL FLUTTE (N143AN)
- [SDR AALA202512158319](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512158319), Nov 30, 2025: Airbus A321231. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB THRU FL 200 AT 325 IT'S INDICATED WE GOT FLIGHT CONTROL FLUTTE (N143AN)
- [SDR AALA202512159663](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512159663), Nov 30, 2025: Airbus A321231. HINGE FITTING. EXCESS PLAY. AIRCRAFT WAS GROUNDED: FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB THRU FL 200 AT 325 IT'S INDICATED WE GOT FLIGHT CONTROL FLUTTE (N143AN)
- [SDR AALA202512102122](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202512102122), Nov 16, 2025: Airbus A321231. STRIP. CORRODED. AIRCRAFT IN BASE MAINTENANCE: CORROSION ON RUDDER LOWER TRAILING EDGE APEX STRIP. REPAIRED APEX STRIP PER SRM 55-41-19-3 (N118NN)
- [SDR SWAA2025111735581](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025111735581), Nov 15, 2025: Boeing 73779P. PANEL. CRACKED. WHEN REMOVING SEAL FOUND CRACK ON COVE PANEL. PERMANENT REPAIR ACCOMPLISHED PER SRM 55-40-30-1A-1. (N7826B)
- [SDR JGVR20251024001](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JGVR20251024001), Oct 24, 2025: Cessna 680CE. HINGE. CORRODED. FOUND UPPER HINGE UPPER HALF AND CENTER HINGE LOWER HALF ON THE RUDDER CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. REPLACED PARTS WITH NEW T (N359QS)
- [SDR JGVR20251022002](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/JGVR20251022002), Oct 22, 2025: Cessna 680CE. HINGE BRACKET. CORRODED. REMOVED CORRODE AREAS ON THE LOWER RUDDER HINGE BRACKET AND RUDDER TRIM BRACKET, PERFORMED NDT AND REPORTED FOR REPAIR D (N359QS)
- [SDR AALA202510216541](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202510216541), Oct 18, 2025: Airbus A321231. STRIP. SPLIT. AIRCRAFT IN BASE MAINTENANCE: RUDDER TRAILING EDGE APEX STRIP HAS A 3.5" SPLIT STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STRIP. MAIN (N974UY)
- [SDR DALA2025102007642](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025102007642), Oct 17, 2025: Airbus A319114. FITTING. DAMAGED. RUDDER HINGE LINE BEARING BR4 A/C SIDE, LOWER FITTING HAS A GOUGE ON BOTTOM SIDE. COMPLIED WITH ER/A 629674-14. (1257741 (N324NB)
- [SDR DALA2025102007641](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025102007641), Oct 17, 2025: Airbus A319114. FITTING. DAMAGED. RUDDER HINGE LINE BEARING BR4 A/C SIDE TOP SIDE FITTING HAS DRILL START ON O/B SIDE OF #7 HOLE. COMPLIED WITH ER/A 62967 (N324NB)
- [SDR DALA2025102007640](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025102007640), Oct 17, 2025: Airbus A319114. PLATE. CRACKED. SHIP 3124 RUDDER HINGE #3 BOTTOM PLATE HAS A CRACK INDICATION IN HOLE #7. CORRECTIVE ACTION: COMPLIED WITH ER/A 629756-1 (N324NB)
- [SDR DALA2025101307463](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025101307463), Oct 8, 2025: Airbus BD5001A10. HINGE FITTING. CRACKED. FOUND RUDDER HINGE #1 CRACKED AND RUDDER LOWER CLOSURE RIB CRACKED. REPAIRED PER PRI 629727-14 REV 0 AND ER/A 629727-14  (N137DU)
- [SDR SWAA2025100917821](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025100917821), Sep 24, 2025: Boeing 7378H4. BALANCE WEIGHT. CORRODED. RUDDER FWD COUNTERBALANCE WEIGHT SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION. REMOVED AND REPLACED RUDDER FWD COUNTERBALANCE WEIGHT IAW CMM (N8617E)
- [SDR AALA202509227854](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/AALA202509227854), Sep 12, 2025: Airbus A321211. STRIP. CORRODED. AIRCRAFT IN BASE MAINTENANCE: CORROSION ON RUDDER LEFT HAND SIDE TRAILING EDGE LOWER APEX STRIP. REPAIRED APEX STRIP PER (N153UW)
- [SDR DALA2025091606817](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025091606817), Sep 10, 2025: Boeing 717200. FAIRING. DAMAGED. DAMAGE NOTED RUDDER FAIRING PANEL 370CR. ER/A 629084-14 CREATED TRACKING TEMPORARY REPAIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. (1191759) (N948AT)
- [SDR DALA2025091606816](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/DALA2025091606816), Sep 10, 2025: Boeing 717200. ACCESS PANEL. DAMAGED. ENGINEERING CREATES LOGPAGE TRACKING DAMAGE TO RUDDER ACCESS PANEL PER ER/A 628805-14. ER/A 628805-14 LOGPAGE CREATED TR (N948AT)
- [SDR ABXA20250820180](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/ABXA20250820180), Aug 20, 2025: Boeing 767383. STRUCTURE. DAMAGED. DURING C CHECK IN TPA, RUDDER DAMAGED DURING A/C WEIGH TASK (AMES NR 0426). AIRCRAFT IS CURRENTLY IN WORK. AN AMENDED SD (N226CY)
- [SDR SWAA2025081299366](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081299366), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT RS 288. INSTALLED NEW PANEL REF AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)
- [SDR SWAA2025081299365](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081299365), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT STATION STA 269. INSTALLED NEW PANEL IAW AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)
- [SDR SWAA2025081299367](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081299367), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT STATION STA 194. INSTALLED NEW PANEL IAW AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)
- [SDR SWAA2025081200440](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081200440), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT STATION STA 269. INSTALLED NEW PANEL REF AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)
- [SDR SWAA2025081200441](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081200441), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT STATION STA 288. INSTALLED NEW PANEL IAW AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)
- [SDR SWAA2025081200442](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/SWAA2025081200442), Aug 7, 2025: Boeing 7377H4. PANEL. DELAMINATED. RIGHT SIDE RUDDER SEAL IS DELAMINATED AT STATION STA 194. INSTALLED NEW PANEL REF AMM 55-33-31. (N946WN)

All 1,901: https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5540/reports.md

## Other codes in chapter 55

- [JASC 5500](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5500): Empennage Structure (490 reports)
- [JASC 5510](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5510): Horizontal Stabilizer Structure (5,958 reports)
- [JASC 5511](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5511): Horizontal Stabilizer, Spar/Rib (6,454 reports)
- [JASC 5512](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5512): Horizontal Stabilizer, Plate/Skin (7,879 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 (2,779 reports)
- [JASC 5520](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5520): Elevator Structure (5,383 reports)
- [JASC 5521](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5521): Elevator, Spar/Rib (520 reports)
- [JASC 5522](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5522): Elevator, Plate/Skin (3,271 reports)
- [JASC 5523](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5523): Elevator, Tab Structure (1,033 reports)
- [JASC 5524](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/5524): Elevator Miscellaneous Structure (322 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 (1,745 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 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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