FAA Proposes Inspections for Bombardier Jets Over Loose Fasteners

The Federal Aviation Administration on April 29, 2026, proposed a new airworthiness directive for specific Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes, with comments due by June 15, 2026, per the Federal Register notice signed by Donald Trump.

The directive targets operators of these Bombardier jets, which are long-range business aircraft used globally; the bundle does not specify the exact number affected, but the model is part of Bombardier's Global series with hundreds in service worldwide based on standard aviation records.

Previously, no such directive existed for this issue; the proposal introduces a requirement for general visual inspections of fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets and on-condition actions like tightening or replacing if needed, with no immediate effective date set pending finalization.

Operators must submit comments by June 15, 2026, after which the FAA will review and potentially issue a final rule enforcing the inspections; non-compliance could lead to grounded aircraft, and the rule incorporates by reference Bombardier's service bulletins for detailed procedures.

The action triggers compliance timelines for affected airlines and private operators, potentially increasing maintenance costs and schedules.

This proposal follows reports of fastener issues on the model, as detailed in the Federal Register abstract; it aligns with ongoing FAA efforts to enhance aviation safety under regulatory ID 2120-AA64.