EASA AD CF-2026-45 — Wings – Discrepant Fasteners at Wing to Fuselage Joint - Amendment

Summary

Airworthiness Directive CF-2026-45 is an amendment issued by Transport Canada concerning Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (ACLP) Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 aircraft. It addresses the issue of discrepant fasteners at the wing to fuselage joint, specifically the incorrect installation of titanium fasteners instead of the required nickel alloy fasteners at the outer wing box lower skin to centre wing box interface. This directive mandates inspection and corrective actions to ensure structural integrity and prevent potential fuel leaks.

What Changed

CF-2026-45 revises the applicability of the previous directive CF-2025-09 by including additional aircraft serial numbers requiring inspection and corrective action. It maintains the original requirements for identifying and replacing incorrect fasteners but expands the scope to newly identified affected aircraft. The directive also recognizes prior incorporation of certain ACLP service bulletins as compliant with the inspection and repair requirements.

Why It Matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it ensures the structural safety of the wing-to-fuselage joint, a principal fatigue critical structure. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to prevent potential joint failure and fuel leaks, which could compromise flight safety. Compliance helps maintain airworthiness and regulatory conformity, avoiding operational disruptions and costly repairs.

What To Do

Operators must inspect the specified fasteners within 500 flight cycles from 18 September 2026 or before accumulating 10,000 flight cycles, whichever is later, using the ACLP Service Bulletin BD500-571004 procedures. If non-serviceable fasteners are found or identification is not possible, operators must contact ACLP for approved repair instructions and complete repairs within the specified compliance times. Prior incorporation of earlier issues of the service bulletin also satisfies these requirements.