Airworthiness Certification

FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-05 for Leonardo AB139 and AW139 Life Raft Inflation Systems

The US FAA has issued Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-05 requiring operators of Leonardo AB139 and AW139 helicopters to replace certain life-raft inflation systems and banning installation of affected units after reports that shipment damage could prevent rafts from inflating during ditching. Operators need to identify any affected life-raft inflation systems, plan replacements within 300 hours time-in-service or 12 months of the June 2026 effective date, and use the FAA International Validation Branch AMOC process where needed to avoid both non-compliance and operational disruption.

15 May 2026, 16:28federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Final AD 2026-09-17 Tightens Fuel Tank Airworthiness Limits for Airbus A318–A321

The US FAA has finalised AD 2026-09-17, superseding AD 2025-03-07 and tightening fuel tank airworthiness limitations for Airbus A318–A321 aircraft, with an 18 June 2026 effective date and expanded coverage to additional neo variants including A319-173N and A321-253NY. Affected operators must revise maintenance and inspection programmes within 90 days of the effective date to incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations, reinforcing fuel tank explosion risk controls across Airbus narrowbody fleets and demanding near-term planning.

15 May 2026, 16:27federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-11 for Dassault Mystere-Falcon 20-Series Aircraft

The FAA has issued Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-11, effective 18 June 2026, superseding AD 2023-20-05 for certain Dassault Mystere-Falcon 20 aircraft and tightening structural airworthiness inspection and maintenance requirements. Operators must revise maintenance and inspection programmes within 90 days of the effective date to adopt new EASA-derived structural limitations, reducing fatigue and corrosion risk and helping avoid unplanned groundings or safety-of-flight issues.

15 May 2026, 13:44federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Adopts Airworthiness Directive on Airbus MBB-BK 117 C-2 and D-2 Hoist Hooks

In May 2026 the US Federal Aviation Administration finalised an airworthiness directive requiring Airbus MBB-BK 117 C-2 and D-2 helicopters to modify or replace hoist hook damper assemblies equipped with standard MS18027 hooks within 12 months. Operators must plan maintenance and parts sourcing so that all affected assemblies are upgraded and no unmodified hooks remain in service or are installed after the compliance window, avoiding hoist-load loss risks and regulatory non-compliance.

14 May 2026, 12:36federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Pilatus PC-24 Windshield Heating Relay

The US Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a new airworthiness directive for certain Pilatus PC-24 aircraft to address a defect in the windshield heating relay, with comments due by 29 June 2026. If adopted, operators will need to plan for mandatory modifications and relay replacements across affected fleets, influencing maintenance scheduling, spares provisioning, and safety compliance responsibilities.

14 May 2026, 12:35federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes AD on Airbus A330-841/-941 Lavatory Floor Fittings

FAA has proposed a new airworthiness directive for all Airbus A330-841 and A330-941 aircraft to address corrosion risks in lavatory floor fittings, leveraging inspection, repair and optional modification requirements from EASA AD 2025-0114. If finalised, this would introduce recurring 24–36 month inspection cycles, restrictions on older lavatory configurations and an optional terminating retrofit, so operators must plan maintenance, parts and downtime impacts ahead of the 22 June 2026 comment deadline.

9 May 2026, 07:15federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Airbus A320/A321 Bulk Cargo Door Cracks

The US FAA has proposed a new airworthiness directive requiring rototest inspections and potential repairs for cracks in the upper corners of the bulk cargo door on certain Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, with public comments due by 18 June 2026. Operators and MROs should assess which aircraft are affected, plan inspection and maintenance capacity, and consider commenting on feasibility and fleet impacts before the directive is finalised.

8 May 2026, 08:27federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Final Special Conditions for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Backup Battery on Airbus C-212 Series (Xtreme Avionics)

US FAA has issued final special conditions, effective 6 May 2026, imposing enhanced safety requirements on rechargeable lithium-ion backup batteries used in Xtreme Avionics’ GI 275 standby display retrofit for Airbus C-212 series aircraft. These conditions immediately shape design and certification of affected modifications, tightening expectations around thermal management, flammable electrolyte containment, and flightcrew warning systems for lithium battery installations.

8 May 2026, 06:45federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for GE CF34-1A and CF34-3 Engines

The US FAA has proposed a new airworthiness directive for certain GE CF34-1A and CF34-3-series engines, adding corrosion-focused restart tests, inspections, and maintenance-program changes after a dual engine power-loss event, with comments due by mid-June 2026. If finalized, operators of affected regional and business jets will need to plan for additional downtime, recurring tests and inspections, potential engine removals, and updates to approved maintenance programmes to control this loss-of-thrust risk.

6 May 2026, 07:34govinfo.govUnited States

US FAA Issues AD 2026-08-51 for AHD MBB-BK 117 D-3 Rotor Hub-Shaft Cracking

In April 2026 the US Federal Aviation Administration issued AD 2026-08-51 for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, effective 14 May 2026, requiring inspection and possible replacement of the main rotor hub-shaft after a crack was discovered in service. Operators must promptly integrate the new inspection and replacement requirements into maintenance programmes and plan for potential hub-shaft replacements to avoid grounding risk and ensure continued airworthiness compliance while the rule remains open for comment.

3 May 2026, 14:47federalregister.govUnited States

FAA Proposes Airworthiness Directive for Bombardier BD-700-2A12 Airplanes

The US Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a new airworthiness directive for certain Bombardier BD-700-2A12 aircraft to address missing or under-torqued fasteners on wing slat brackets, requiring inspections and corrective action. If adopted, operators and maintenance organisations will need to schedule additional inspections and potential repairs during maintenance visits to avoid compromising structural integrity and continued airworthiness for affected aircraft.

3 May 2026, 14:47federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for Boeing 787 Lavatory and Galley Water Systems

The US FAA has issued final Airworthiness Directive 2026-09-01 for Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft, effective 3 June 2026, adding new inspections and hardware upgrades for lavatory and galley potable water clamshell couplings and superseding AD 2023-08-04. Airlines operating 787 fleets must schedule inspections, parts replacements and leak tests within the Boeing bulletin compliance windows to avoid non-compliance and potential grounding of affected aircraft.

3 May 2026, 07:23govinfo.govUnited States

US FAA Issues Final Airworthiness Directive 2026-08-12 for Safran ARRIUS 2F Engines

US FAA has issued final Airworthiness Directive 2026-08-12 for Safran ARRIUS 2F helicopter engines, superseding the 2024 directive and narrowing the list of fuel control units that must be removed and replaced from 2 June 2026. Operators with ARRIUS 2F-powered fleets should match installed fuel control unit serial numbers to the revised list, schedule removals and replacements within the mandated compliance times, and plan for associated downtime, parts availability, and airworthiness oversight.

1 May 2026, 18:28govinfo.govUnited States

US FAA Adopts Airworthiness Directive Requiring AFM Revisions for Bombardier BD-700 SLAT FAIL Procedures

The US Federal Aviation Administration has adopted airworthiness directive 2026-08-04 under 14 CFR Part 39, requiring operators of certain Bombardier BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 aircraft to revise their flight manuals to correct SLAT FAIL approach speed adders and landing distance factors, effective 29 May 2026. Operators should plan AFM updates and associated pilot briefings ahead of the effective date to ensure continued airworthiness, minimise operational disruption, and demonstrate compliance with the new directive.

1 May 2026, 17:49federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes AD on Boeing 737 Next Generation Aft Drain Mast Fuselage Cracks

In April 2026 the US Federal Aviation Administration proposed a new airworthiness directive for Boeing 737-600/-700/-700C/-800/-900/-900ER aircraft to address fuselage skin cracks near the aft drain mast, with public comments due by 11 June 2026. If adopted, the directive will require repetitive structural inspections and on-condition repairs, signalling heightened regulatory focus on 737 Next Generation fuselage integrity and driving additional maintenance planning, downtime, and cost for operators.

30 Apr 2026, 06:37govinfo.govUnited States

US FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for B/E Aerospace Fischer Medical Seats 230/305

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a binding airworthiness directive effective 11 May 2026 requiring operators to either placard or modify certain B/E Aerospace Fischer 230/305 medical seats after discovering they were delivered with an incorrect swivel unit for forward-facing use. Operators of affected helicopters must plan immediate seat-level maintenance or occupancy restrictions to maintain airworthiness, avoid service disruption, and ensure occupant protection in emergency landing scenarios.

30 Apr 2026, 06:36federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Adopts Airworthiness Directive for Certain Pratt & Whitney F117 and PW2000 Engines

The US FAA has issued a binding airworthiness directive effective 29 May 2026 requiring enhanced inspections and removal of specified high-pressure turbine disks, hubs, and lenticular seals on certain Pratt & Whitney F117 and PW2000 engines to address early cracking risk. Operators and maintenance organisations must plan for additional AUSIs, targeted seal replacements, and potential disk and hub changes—optionally by embedding the requirements into ALS programmes—to mitigate uncontained engine-failure risk and associated fleet disruption.

29 Apr 2026, 06:49federalregister.govUnited States

FAA Adopts AD 2026-08-06 for Boeing 747-400 Freighters (Crew Oxygen Hose Clearance)

The FAA has issued Airworthiness Directive 2026-08-06 for Boeing 747-400 freighters modified by specific freighter-conversion STCs, mandating immediate inspection and minimum clearance checks for crew oxygen bottle flexible hoses and adjacent wiring, effective 7 May 2026. Operators of affected aircraft must schedule ground time to complete the "before further flight" inspection and any repairs or rerouting, as non-compliance could ground freighter capacity and underscores tighter scrutiny of oxygen–electrical interface risks on converted widebodies.

27 Apr 2026, 18:45federalregister.govUnited States

US FAA Proposes Superseding AD 2015-20-12 To Reduce Main Rotor Shaft Life Limits on Various Helicopters

In April 2026, the US FAA proposed a new airworthiness directive that would supersede AD 2015-20-12 and significantly reduce main rotor shaft life limits on Sikorsky S-61 and related helicopters. If finalised, operators will need to recalculate retirement lives, remove higher-time shafts earlier than planned, and adjust maintenance and fleet plans, with comments due by early June 2026.

24 Apr 2026, 09:55federalregister.govUnited States

EU Council Presidency Compromise on ICAO Annex 16 Environmental Protection Amendments

In February 2026 the EU Council Presidency tabled a compromise decision text confirming the Union’s position to support new ICAO Annex 16 environmental standards on aircraft noise, engine emissions and aeroplane CO₂ at the 237th ICAO Council session. These tighter global standards, applying from 2027 with stricter CO₂ limits from 2031 and 2035, will later need to be built into EU aviation safety rules, shaping long-term design, certification and compliance obligations for aircraft and engine manufacturers and operators.

22 Apr 2026, 19:57data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionGlobal