Transport Canada mandates A220 inspections
Transport Canada (TGO, Ottawa International) has issued two Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for A220-100s and A220-300s, ordering an inspection and service of their overhead compartments and titanium fasteners.
During rework at the final assembly line, Airbus Canada discovered that the fasteners had been incorrectly installed at the outer wing box. Such a condition could "result in a reduction in joint strength and the potential damage to and loss of principal/fatigue critical structure," Transport Canada noted.
The agency warns that there is a risk of a fuel leak if the fastener fails and falls free from the joint. The Airworthiness Directive requires airlines to apply corrective measures within 500 flight cycles from the effective date of the AD (March 10, 2025) or before accumulating 10,000 flight cycles.
Transport Canada issued another AD for two aircraft types regarding issues with the overhead compartments in the cabin. The authority noted that some of the tie rods supporting them "did not have enough thread engagement of the turnbuckle into the tie rod."
It added: "The affected tie rods support the overhead stowage compartments during an emergency landing, and if they become disengaged the overhead stowage compartments have the potential of impacting occupants of the passenger cabin."
The Airworthiness Directive, effective March 17, mandates compartment inspection. If deficiencies are found, airlines are required to adjust the tie rod engagement. Companies are to inspect and fix the issue within 48 months of the effective date of this AD.
Aircraft in the fleets of airBaltic, Delta Air Lines, Swiss, Korean Air, Air Tanzania, Breeze Airways, Cyprus Airways, EgyptAir, Air Canada, Ibom Air, JetBlue Airways, Air Austral, Air France, Iraqi Airways, and ITA Airways are affected by the new ADs.
