FAA Orders Wing Fastener Checks on Airbus Canada Jets
Published Date: 5/27/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own or operate certain Airbus Canada airplanes (models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11), heads up! The FAA found some wrong metal fasteners in a key wing part and now requires checking and fixing them by July 1, 2026. This keeps your plane safe and flying smoothly, though it might cost some time and money to get it done.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory wing fastener inspection and repair
If you own or operate Airbus Canada Model BD-500-1A10 or BD-500-1A11 airplanes, you must inspect the butt strap fasteners at the outer wing box lower skin to center wing box interface and do any required repairs. The inspection must be done before accumulating 10,000 total flight cycles or within 500 flight cycles from July 1, 2026, whichever is later. The FAA estimates the required inspection costs 29 work-hours at $85/hour ($2,465) per airplane and affects 71 U.S.-registered airplanes (total $175,015); on-condition replacement of up to 11 fasteners could cost up to $11,890 per airplane.
No reporting required to manufacturer
Although the Transport Canada service information instructs operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this FAA AD does not require you to send those reports. That means you do not have to complete the manufacturer reporting that might otherwise add paperwork.
Use of existing approved repair dispositions allowed
The FAA allows operators to use existing approved repair instructions (such as previously issued Generic Repair Engineering Orders) for compliance, provided those repairs were approved under the AD's approval provisions. You may also contact ACLP, Transport Canada, or the FAA manager identified in the AD to obtain an approved disposition.
FAA will consider AMOCs and time extensions
The FAA will consider requests for alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) and requests to extend compliance times if you submit sufficient data showing the proposed change provides an acceptable level of safety. Requests must follow 14 CFR 39.19 and be sent to the FAA manager named in the AD.
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