FAA issues new safety directive for Dassault Falcon 20 jets

No comments were received from operators during the public comment period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued updated maintenance requirements for a fleet of older French-built Falcon jets, citing concerns about structural safety.

The directive, which took effect May 29, 2026, applies to 61 Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft registered in the US – specifically the C5, D5, E5, and F5 variants. It requires operators to update their maintenance and inspection programmes to address the risk of fatigue cracking, corrosion and structural damage that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft.

The FAA says the new rules were prompted by updated guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which identified the need for stricter airworthiness limits on these planes. The directive supersedes a previous 2023 order covering the same aircraft.

Operators have 90 days from the effective date to revise their inspection programs. The FAA estimates the changes will cost each operator around $7,650 in labor — roughly 90 work-hours at $85 per hour.

No comments were received from operators during the public comment period.

The Falcon 20 is a twin-engine jet that first flew in the 1960s and has been widely used for cargo, charter and training operations.