Transport Canada released Airworthiness Directive on Airbus A220 family (Previously C-series) aircraft advising preventive maintenance to avoid loss of slat panels !

Today, Canadian Aviation regulator - Transport Canada released an Airworthiness Directive CF-2021-43 for the A220 family aircraft highlighting the need of Slat tracks preventive maintenance in terms of increased frequency of inspection and lubrication to avoid loss of one or more slat panels.

Transport Canada addressed the concern of  A220 family aircraft slat panels loss !

Transport Canada issued Airworthiness Directive : CF-2021-43 on Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (formerly C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, Bombardier Inc.)   aircraft based on the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership SB BD500-574001 Issue 001, dated 22 November 2021.

► Applicability :

Model BD-500-1A10, serial numbers 50001 and subsequent,

Model BD-500-1A11, serial numbers 55001 and subsequent.

► Background of the AD :

Corrosion and wear has been reported on the slat tracks on a number of in-service aeroplanes. An investigation determined that the likely cause was insufficient grease being applied to the slat tracks in production.

► Consequences:

Uncorrected, this corrosion and wear can lead to the loss of one or more slat panels or the loss of slat track guidance, which can cause catastrophic structural damage to the wings or other parts of the aeroplane due to slat panels departing the aeroplane.

► Required Actions by the AD :

Clean and grease all slat tracks, inspecting as applicable and repairing any corrosion or damage found before further flight, in accordance with the applicable compliance time and scope indicated in the AD-table as below .

► Subsequent Inspections :

Subsequent inspections , at intervals not to exceed 2550 hours air time, clean then inspect and grease all slat tracks, repairing any corrosion or damage found before further flight, in accordance with the applicable SB and only Part B of the VSB.

► Feedback to Airbus Canada :

Within 30 days from the inspections performed in accordance with Part B of the VSB, complete and return Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the VSB to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership in accordance with the instructions contained in the applicable SB and the VSB.

► Airbus Canada Limited (OEM) and Vendor action : 

To cater to this defect , Airbus Canada Limited Partnership has issued an applicable SB : BD500-574001 Issue 001, dated 22 November 2021 for now.

The applicable SB also contains the vendor SB (VSB) by Spirit , and is defined as Spirit SB 500SHW-57- 4201 Issue 001, dated 17 November 2021 for now.

► Effective Date :

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 13 December 2021.

Source - Transport Canada .

Picture for representation .