Federal Register #2026-10489

FAA Mandates Safety Inspections and Modifications for Airbus Canada BD-500 Series Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is mandating safety modifications for Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes due to flammability concerns and mechanical wear issues: - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch - OEMs and Vendors: - Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (formerly C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership) - Bombardier, Inc. - Solvay (legacy material supplier) - Products/Services Requested: - Inspection of Environmental Control System (ECS) ducts with part numbers D761189105, D761189501, D762232509 - Installation of fire-resistant sleeve assemblies over non-compliant ECS ducts - Re-identification of ceiling panel liners in cargo compartments - Replacement of saddle clamps on motive flow fuel-feed tubes - Inspection and corrective actions for motive flow fuel-feed tubes at clamp block locations - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Mandatory inspection and modification to address ECS ducts manufactured with material APF11807781 that failed flammability tests - Prohibition on installation of non-compliant ECS ducts as replacement parts - Compliance with Transport Canada ADs CF202510 and CF202524 and related Airbus Canada service bulletins - Estimated 200 airplanes affected, with 11 requiring immediate inspection and re-identification - Ongoing repetitive checks and corrective actions required for continued airworthiness - Period of Performance: - Effective upon directive issuance, with compliance deadlines based on flight hours, months in service, or within 30 days for certain actions - Locations: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, Des Moines, WA - U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Operations, Washington, DC - Transport Canada National Aircraft Certification, Nepean, Ontario, Canada

Description

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by certification testing that found environmental control system (ECS) ducts manufactured using a certain material failed the flammability test requirements. The AD requires inspecting affected ECS ducts, installing fire-resistant sleeves, re-identifying ceiling panel liners, and prohibits installation of ECS ducts as replacement parts under certain conditions. The AD is effective July 1, 2026, and aims to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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