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.

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.

A trilateral meeting was held between the CAA/BMAA/LAA in September 2025 to agree the proposed policy direction. Since then both the BMAA/LAA have been working to update several Technical Leaflets (LAA) and Technical Information Leaflets (BMAA) to provide further suitably detailed guidance on life limited parts for their respective fleets. In addition, there are currently planned improvements in progress to generic maintenance schedules and where generic schedules are not used, forms proposed to supplement and track time expiring components, all to strengthen policy and controls in this area.

Following a meeting during February 2026 between the BMAA and LAA, which ensured continued alignment, the draft technical leaflets/technical information leaflets have now been provided for the CAA’s review. The continued development of documentation will continue with both organisations planning to brief their inspectorate during Spring 2026, so they are fully conversant with the policies and documentation, before eventual phased release to aircraft owners via planned targeted communications. In addition, further discussions with the A8-1 and A8-21 microlight manufacturers will be considered.

All of this aims to ensure that components can be managed satisfactorily to allow owners to actively record instances where parts have surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended life, along with the clear justification for doing so, in a more controlled manner.

Partially Adequate Open

July 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.

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.

A trilateral meeting was held between the CAA/BMAA/LAA in September 2025 to agree the proposed policy direction. Since then both the BMAA/LAA have been working to update several Technical Leaflets (LAA) and Technical Information Leaflets (BMAA) to provide further suitably detailed guidance on life limited parts for their respective fleets. In addition, there are currently planned improvements in progress to generic maintenance schedules and where generic schedules are not used, forms proposed to supplement and track time expiring components, all to strengthen policy and controls in this area.

Following a meeting during February 2026 between the BMAA and LAA, which ensured continued alignment, the draft technical leaflets/technical information leaflets have now been provided for the CAA’s review. The continued development of documentation will continue with both organisations planning to brief their inspectorate during Spring 2026, so they are fully conversant with the policies and documentation, before eventual phased release to aircraft owners via planned targeted communications. In addition, further discussions with the A8-1 and A8-21 microlight manufacturers will be considered.

All of this aims to ensure that components can be managed satisfactorily to allow owners to actively record instances where parts have surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended life, along with the clear justification for doing so, in a more controlled manner.

Partially Adequate Open

July 2026