FAA Proposes Updated Inspection and Repair Rules for Airbus Canada BD-500 Airplanes

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a new rule for owners and operators of Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The proposal updates requirements for inspecting and maintaining the slat tracks, which are mechanical guides on the wings that help the plane generate lift.

Why it matters: This action addresses a safety gap where cracks in wing components could go undetected, potentially leading to slat panels detaching. It also simplifies the work for mechanics by clarifying how to perform inspections without unnecessary disassembly. The update ensures the U.S. safety requirements match current findings from the country where the planes were designed.

Who it affects

• Owners and operators of 161 Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes registered in the United States. - Maintenance facilities and repair stations servicing these aircraft.

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This proposed rule comes from the Federal Aviation Administration and is published in the Federal Register. Review the full document at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-4634 before relying on the details.

Agency: Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document