Quick Answers
What does FAA AD 2026-14-01 require for Bombardier Global 7500 operators?
FAA AD 2026-14-01, effective August 14, 2026, requires a general visual inspection of fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets on certain Bombardier BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500) aircraft. Reports of missing or under-torqued fasteners at this location prompted the AD. On-condition corrective actions are required before further flight if found.
Is the Global 7500 slat fastener AD the same as the BD-700 seat frame AD?
No. AD 2026-14-01 covers slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket fasteners on the BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500) only. The seat frame AD (2026-11-07) covers Loctite omissions on the BD-700-1A10, -1A11, and -2A12. The baggage door AD (2026-09-18) covers torque issues on the -1A10 and -1A11. All three are separate directives.
Quick Compliance Summary
| Regulatory body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| AD number | 2026-14-01 — Amendment 39-23401 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-3872 |
| Aircraft affected | Certain Bombardier BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500) airplanes |
| Issue | Missing or under-torqued fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets |
| Required action | General visual inspection (GVI) of affected fasteners. On-condition actions if required |
| Compliance deadline | August 14, 2026 |
| Who must act | Operators, CAMOs, MROs supporting Global 7500 fleets |
| Source | Federal Register — FR Doc 2026-13981, July 10, 2026 |
Who Should Read This
This update is directly relevant to:
- Directors of Maintenance for Global 7500 operators
- Continuing Airworthiness Managers (CAMs)
- Part 145 MRO organizations with BD-700-2A12 capability
- Bombardier Authorized Service Centers
- Fleet managers and aircraft lessors with Global 7500 assets
Already tracking the BD-700 seat frame AD (2026-11-07) and the BD-700 baggage door AD (2026-09-18)? This is the third and most recent BD-700 directive — and the first one specific to the Global 7500 only.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| AD Number | 2026-14-01 |
| Amendment | 39-23401 |
| Docket | FAA-2026-3872 |
| ATA Code | 57 — Wings |
| Aircraft | BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500) only |
| Effective Date | August 14, 2026 |
| Required Action | GVI of affected fasteners on slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets |
| Unsafe Condition | Missing or under-torqued fasteners → loss of load-carrying capability → reduced structural redundancy |
| On-condition action | Required if fasteners found missing or under-torqued |
| Originating Authority | Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, September 2, 2025 |
What Changed
The FAA published AD 2026-14-01 on July 10, 2026. It is effective August 14, 2026.
This AD adopts Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025, as its basis — a standard bilateral adoption under the FAA–Transport Canada agreement.
Reports identified missing or under-torqued fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets on certain Global 7500 aircraft. The issue relates to the manufacturing or maintenance process — fasteners either not installed or not torqued to the required specification.
Why It Matters
The slat 2, cove rib 6, and brackets are structural components in the wing leading-edge assembly. The fasteners connecting those brackets carry load as part of the wing’s structural redundancy system.
Missing or under-torqued fasteners reduce load-carrying capability at that location. That reduces the structural redundancy built into the wing design.
The consequence, if not detected and corrected, is that the remaining structure must carry loads for which it was not designed, potentially reducing safety margins in adverse conditions.
This is a structural integrity issue — not a cosmetic or avionics concern. It requires inspection before further flight beyond the compliance date.
BD-700 Series — Three ADs in 2026
This AD completes a trilogy of BD-700 airworthiness directives published by the FAA in 2026.
| AD | Aircraft | Issue | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-07 | BD-700-1A10, -1A11, -2A12 | Seat frame missing Loctite threadlocker | July 20, 2026 |
| 2026-09-18 | BD-700-1A10, -1A11 | Baggage door stop fitting bolts improper torque | June 26, 2026 |
| 2026-14-01 | BD-700-2A12 only | Slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket fasteners missing/under-torqued | August 14, 2026 |
If you manage a Global 7500 fleet, confirm compliance status on all three ADs. They cover different systems, different variants, and different compliance dates. Compliance with one does not satisfy the others.
Who Is Affected
The AD applies to certain Bombardier BD-700-2A12 airplanes, as identified in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46.
The BD-700-2A12 is the Global 7500 — Bombardier’s flagship ultra-long-range large-cabin business jet.
Not all Global 7500 aircraft are necessarily affected. Applicability is limited to specific serial numbers identified in the Transport Canada source AD. Confirm serial number scope against Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 before planning inspection work.
Required Action
Perform a general visual inspection (GVI) of the affected fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets to determine whether all fasteners are installed and correctly torqued.
If fasteners are found missing or under-torqued: complete on-condition corrective actions before further flight.
The specific inspection method, compliance threshold, and on-condition procedures are defined in the service information referenced in the AD. Obtain the applicable Bombardier service document through your authorized Bombardier service representative.
Operational Impact
The GVI itself is a relatively non-invasive inspection task. Access to the slat 2 cove rib 6 area is required. Depending on the aircraft’s current maintenance schedule, this can likely be accomplished during a scheduled maintenance visit before August 14, 2026.
On-condition corrective actions — if fasteners are found missing or under-torqued — will require repair before further flight. Plan accordingly if the initial inspection is scheduled close to the compliance deadline.
Global 7500 operators with high-utilization aircraft should identify their next scheduled maintenance window now and confirm it falls before August 14, 2026.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46 issued | September 2, 2025 |
| FAA NPRM published | April 29, 2026 |
| FAA AD 2026-14-01 published | July 10, 2026 |
| AD effective / compliance deadline | August 14, 2026 |
Source Documents
- Federal Register — FR Doc 2026-13981 (AD 2026-14-01)
- Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, September 2, 2025 — available at tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
- AD Docket: regulations.gov, Docket No. FAA-2026-3872
- FAA contact: Brenda Buitrago Perez — 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov, (516) 228-7300
FAQ
Is this the same AD as the BD-700 seat frame directive (2026-11-07)?
No. AD 2026-14-01 covers slat 2 cove rib 6 bracket fasteners on the Global 7500 (BD-700-2A12) only. AD 2026-11-07 covers seat frame Loctite omissions on the BD-700-1A10, -1A11, and -2A12. They are separate ADs covering different systems and different aircraft variants.
Does this AD apply to the BD-700-1A10 or BD-700-1A11?
No. AD 2026-14-01 applies only to the BD-700-2A12 (Global 7500). The -1A10 and -1A11 are not in scope.
How do I confirm which serial numbers are affected?
Applicability is defined in Transport Canada AD CF-2025-46, dated September 2, 2025. Check the document directly, or confirm with your Bombardier-authorized service representative.
What is a general visual inspection (GVI)?
A GVI is a visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. For this AD, it means checking that all fasteners on the slat 2 cove rib 6 brackets are present and appear correctly installed.
What if fasteners are found missing or under-torqued?
On-condition corrective actions must be completed before further flight. The specific repair procedure is defined in the Bombardier service documentation referenced in the AD.
Related Reading
- FAA AD 2026-13-10: Boeing 747-8 and 777 Family — 5G Interference May Affect Pitch Control and Tail Strike Protection
- FAA AD 2026-13-15: 5G Canadian Airspace Limitations Now Cover Boeing 707, 717, 727, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, MD-11, and MD-80/90 Series
- FAA AD 2026-10-14: Boeing 747 SATCOM Antenna Adapter Plate Corrosion — Repetitive Inspections Required
aviationregwatch.com publishes regulatory intelligence for aviation compliance professionals. This article is an informational summary, not legal or airworthiness advice. Consult your aircraft manufacturer, CAMO, or legal counsel for compliance decisions.