Thank you NCYankee. Can anyone confirm what is the situation with an EASA aircraft?
Not even the wording mandatory makes it mandatory. Nothing under part 91 can force you to overhaul unless either of these criterias are met:
1. A life limit is part of the TCDS sheet.
2. Your maintaining an aircraft according to an maintenance plan where certain SB’s are referenced as part of that maintenance plan. Then they’re mandatory.
In general, it is never a good idea to design a maintenance plan to begin with. An inspection program is much better. Anyway, here’s the clarification from FAA themselves:
