FAA Demands More Elbow Room in Airplane Engines
Published Date: 3/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants Bombardier BD-700-2A12 airplane owners to fix tight spaces between fuel and hydraulic parts that could cause safety problems. They’re asking for inspections and fixes to make sure everything has enough room to work safely. Comments on this plan are open until April 20, 2026, so owners should get ready to act soon and avoid costly repairs later.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections and fixes
If you operate a Bombardier BD-700-2A12 airplane, the FAA proposes a rule requiring inspections and fixes to low-clearance areas in the right wing (fuel line flexible coupling, harness support bracket clip-nut, hydraulic system 3 lines, and fuel vent tube) to prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike. The FAA would require doing the actions specified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-49 and is accepting comments on the proposal until April 20, 2026.
One-time compliance cost per airplane
The FAA estimates complying with this proposed AD would cost $2,693 per airplane (9 work-hours x $85 = $765 in labor plus $1,928 in parts). The FAA estimates the rule would affect 60 U.S.-registered BD-700-2A12 airplanes for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $161,580.
Possible additional on-condition repairs
If inspections find low-clearance conditions that require on-condition repairs, replacing the hydraulic system support brackets is estimated to cost $5,772 per airplane (14 work-hours x $85 = $1,190 in labor plus $4,582 in parts). The FAA states it cannot determine how many aircraft will need these on-condition actions.
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