Fix Rusty Gear on Airbus Planes, FAA Orders
Published Date: 5/14/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 planes, listen up! The FAA updated rules to keep an eye on and fix rusty landing gear parts to keep flights safe. You’ll need to track inspections differently and swap out any bad parts soon—no shortcuts allowed, and some planes are now off the hook.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Replacement Required for Affected Spindle Assemblies
The AD requires replacement of affected MLG lower spindle assemblies when corrosion or other defects are found. If an assembly is affected, operators must remove and replace it as specified by the incorporated Transport Canada AD.
Mandatory Inspections for Rusty Landing Gear
If you operate Airbus Canada Model BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 airplanes, the FAA continues to require repetitive inspections of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) lower spindle pins to detect corrosion and to perform any needed repairs or replacements. These inspections follow the Airworthiness Directive process originally in AD 2022-19-09 and remain required to address corrosion found on the spindle-pin flange.
Change How Flight Cycles Are Tracked
The rule changes how you count flight cycles for inspections: tracking moves from use of the entire main landing gear (MLG) to tracking use of the MLG lower spindle assemblies themselves. Operators and maintenance teams must update their maintenance and record-keeping to use lower spindle assembly usage for inspection scheduling.
Ban on Installing Certain Affected Parts
The AD prohibits installing affected MLG lower spindle assemblies under certain conditions described in the incorporated Transport Canada AD. Parts that meet those prohibited conditions cannot be reinstalled on BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 airplanes.
Some Planes Removed from Requirement
This AD removes some airplanes from the rule's applicability so those specific airplanes are no longer subject to the inspections and requirements of the superseded AD. If your BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 is among those removed, you no longer must follow the prior AD requirements for those aircraft.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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