Accident G-CDFK

It is recommended that the UK Civil Aviation Authority mandate a suitable life limit for the carburettor to plenum chamber coupling, Jabiru part number 4691084 (or equivalent parts), to ensure the couplings are removed from use before a crack can propagate.

CAA have been liaising with the BMAA and LAA and we asked them to review their current policies and procedures in relation to life limited components. As part of this review process, all parties have now undertaken a review of the existing process on how Part 21 aircraft are managed with respect to life limited components and running ‘On Condition’ so that any determination for BMAA/LAA permit to fly aircraft are appropriately proportionate. A trilateral meeting will be held between CAA/BMAA/LAA in Autumn 2025 to agree the proposed policy position before further consultation with the A8-1 and A8-21 microlight manufacturers to ensure alignment.

The CAA maintains that exceeding manufacturer life limits for certain components may be acceptable, provided an assessment has been conducted and a suitable justification is documented in the continuing airworthiness record system. The current approach being considered by the LAA is to introduce methods that allow owners to actively record instances where parts have surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended life, along with the justification for doing so. This could involve modifying generic maintenance schedules to include prompts for these records or creating a separate form to be inserted into the logbook. We recognise that the BMAA already offers comprehensive guidance on this topic in BMAA TIL044. However, further development of this technical information leaflet may be warranted following additional discussions with the CAA.

Partially Adequate Open

February 2026

It is recommended that the UK Civil Aviation Authority consider mandating a suitable life limit for components used in similar applications to the Jabiru carburettor to plenum chamber coupling on other engine and aircraft types, to ensure the components are removed from use before their condition deteriorate beyond an airworthy condition.

CAA have been liaising with the BMAA and LAA and we asked them to review their current policies and procedures in relation to life limited components. As part of this review process, all parties have now undertaken a review of the existing process on how Part 21 aircraft are managed with respect to life limited components and running ‘On Condition’ so that any determination for BMAA/LAA permit to fly aircraft are appropriately proportionate. A trilateral meeting will be held between CAA/BMAA/LAA in Autumn 2025 to agree the proposed policy position before further consultation with the A8-1 and A8-21 microlight manufacturers to ensure alignment.

The CAA maintains that exceeding manufacturer life limits for certain components may be acceptable, provided an assessment has been conducted and a suitable justification is documented in the continuing airworthiness record system. The current approach being considered by the LAA is to introduce methods that allow owners to actively record instances where parts have surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended life, along with the justification for doing so. This could involve modifying generic maintenance schedules to include prompts for these records or creating a separate form to be inserted into the logbook. We recognise that the BMAA already offers comprehensive guidance on this topic in BMAA TIL044. However, further development of this technical information leaflet may be warranted following additional discussions with the CAA.

Partially Adequate Open

February 2026