Bombardier Owners Must Inspect Slat Fasteners Promptly
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants Bombardier BD-700-2A12 airplane owners to check certain fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets because some might be missing or loose. This quick visual inspection helps keep flights safe and could mean fixing issues if found. Comments on this plan are open until June 15, 2026, so owners should act soon to avoid bigger problems or costs later.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Immediate fixes required before flight
The proposed AD specifies that, where Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 says 'If fasteners are installed' or 'If fasteners are missing,' this FAA AD changes those instructions to require the specified actions 'before further flight.' That means any required torquing, repairs, or installations must be done prior to the airplane flying again.
Mandatory inspection of slat fasteners
If you operate a Bombardier Model BD-700-2A12 airplane, the FAA proposes a required general visual inspection (GVI) of fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets. The required on-condition actions include torquing fasteners to 20–25 lbf·in., checking for damage (like deformation or cracking), repairing any damage, or installing and torquing new fasteners.
Estimated inspection cost per airplane
The FAA estimates the required inspection will take 5 work-hours at $85 per hour for a cost of $425 per airplane and that the rule would affect 36 U.S.-registered BD-700-2A12 airplanes for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $15,300. These are the FAA's estimated baseline compliance costs if the AD is adopted as proposed.
Potential on-condition repair costs
If on-condition actions are needed after the inspection, the FAA estimates those actions would cost about $269 per airplane (2 work-hours at $85/hour = $170 labor plus $99 parts). The FAA does not know how many airplanes will require these on-condition actions.
Manufacturer warranty may reduce costs
The FAA notes the manufacturer may cover some or all of the costs of the required actions under warranty, which could reduce the financial impact on affected operators.
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Key Dates
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