EASA AD CF-2024-20
Fuel — Engine Feed Check Valve Failures
Summary
Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2024-20 addresses fuel engine feed check valve failures affecting Airbus Canada Limited Partnership BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 aircraft models. The directive mandates replacement of left and right engine feed check valves to prevent fuel imbalance and potential loss of fuel flow. It also prohibits dispatching aircraft with either left or right fuel AC boost pump inoperative to mitigate safety risks.
What Changed
CF-2024-20 supersedes AD CF-2023-59 and retains its valve replacement requirements while adding a prohibition on dispatching aircraft with inoperative left or right fuel AC boost pumps. This update reflects new findings that operating with an inoperative boost pump increases the risk of severe fuel imbalance. The directive is considered interim and may be followed by further actions.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance teams to prevent in-flight fuel imbalances caused by engine feed check valve failures. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and reduces the risk of engine fuel starvation. It also impacts dispatch decisions by restricting operations when certain fuel boost pumps are inoperative, affecting operational planning and minimum equipment list usage.
What To Do
Operators must replace the left and right engine feed check valves within 4000 flight hours from 9 August 2023 and subsequently every 3000 flight hours, following ACLP Service Bulletin BD500-282018. Additionally, from 19 June 2024, dispatching aircraft with either left or right fuel AC boost pump inoperative is prohibited. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to maintain airworthiness.