FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directive: Pressure Regulating Shutoff Valve Failures on Airbus Canada BD-500 Series Airplanes
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The FAA is proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) targeting certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes (formerly under Bombardier/CSALP type certificates). The directive is triggered by multiple in-service reports of pressure regulating shutoff valve (PRSOV) failures, which pose an unsafe condition affecting bleed air systems and potentially engine operation. The proposed AD mandates three primary corrective actions: (1) revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include new crew procedures for reducing thrust or shutting down an engine when a persistent BLEED LEAK caution message appears; (2) prohibition of flight into known or forecast icing conditions under specific Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provisions when the sole operative PRSOV is an affected unit; and (3) mandatory replacement of all affected PRSOVs with improved, upgraded versions. These requirements are designed to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled bleed air leaks, which can compromise cabin pressurization, anti-icing systems, and engine integrity. The rule is in proposed form and open to public comment before finalization.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Mandatory AFM revision to add crew procedures: reduce thrust lever or shut down engine when BLEED LEAK caution message is persistent
- Prohibition on operating in known or forecast icing conditions under MEL provisions when the only operative PRSOV is an affected part number
- Mandatory physical replacement of all affected PRSOVs with newly designed, improved PRSOV units
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include new crew procedures for reducing thrust lever or shutting down the engine when a persistent BLEED LEAK caution message appears
Prohibit flight into known or forecasted icing conditions when the sole operative pressure regulating shutoff valve (PRSOV) is an affected unit, unless authorized under specific Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provisions
Replace all affected pressure regulating shutoff valves (PRSOVs) with improved, upgraded versions
Comply with the airworthiness directive requirements on affected Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes