FAA Orders Airbus Planes to Swap Dodgy Fire Extinguisher Bottles
Published Date: 3/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to make sure all Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 planes stay safe by fixing a problem with their fire extinguisher bottles. They’re proposing to replace certain bottles, check and swap out some fire system parts, and stop installing the faulty bottles. Comments are open until April 17, 2025, so operators should act soon to avoid safety risks and potential costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory replacement and inspections for fire bottles
If you operate an Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 airplane, the FAA proposes you must replace affected low rate discharge (LRD) fire-extinguisher bottles, inspect extinguishing discharge lines and tubes, and replace those lines/tubes as needed. The rule would also prohibit installing the affected LRD bottles in these airplanes to address LRD bottles that can lose extinguishing agent and cause cargo-bottle-fail messages.
Estimated compliance costs for U.S. operators
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 74 U.S.-registered airplanes and cost $1,360 per airplane (16 work-hours × $85/hour), for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $100,640. The FAA says the manufacturer may cover some or all of these costs under warranty.
Which parts are affected and record checks required
Operators must verify aircraft technical records to determine if an affected LRD bottle is installed: any LRD bottle with part number 475086-1, 475124-1, or 475087-1 with certain serial numbers is affected unless the bottle label is marked with an encircled 'C'.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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