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.

Further to our previous updates, the CAA has continued liaison with the BMAA and LAA, whilst they undertake detailed reviews undertaken of their current policies and procedures relating to life-limited components.

The CAA maintains that exceeding manufacturer life limits for certain components may be acceptable, provided an appropriate assessment has been carried out and a suitable justification is documented within the continuing airworthiness record system.

A trilateral meeting between the CAA, BMAA and LAA was held in September 2025 to agree the proposed policy direction. Since then, both organisations have been working to develop and enhance guidance material and supporting processes relating to the management of life-limited components within their respective fleets. 

Following further engagement between the BMAA and LAA in February 2026 to ensure a consistent and aligned approach, draft guidance material was submitted to the CAA for review.

The CAA has since been advised by the LAA that publication of this guidance has been delayed slightly from the originally anticipated timescale due to unforeseen circumstances and competing operational priorities. However, the LAA has informed us that it intends to publish an article on the management of life-limited items in the September 2026 edition of Light Aviation. In parallel, procedural updates will be communicated to inspectors to support consistent application of the revised policy. 

The associated technical leaflet on life-limited items, together with updates to the generic maintenance schedule and a new time expiring components tracking supplement form, are currently in the final stages of drafting and are expected to be issued as part of the planned communications programme.

The CAA continues to liaise with the BMAA regarding their proposed guidance.

These actions are intended to strengthen the management and oversight of life-limited components and provide aircraft owners and inspectors with improved processes for recording occasions where components exceed manufacturers' recommended lives, together with the engineering assessment and justification supporting continued use. 

The CAA will continue to monitor progress with both organisations and will provide a further update on actions taken to address these Safety Recommendations by the end of November 2026.

Partially Adequate Open

November 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.

Further to our previous updates, the CAA has continued liaison with the BMAA and LAA, whilst they undertake detailed reviews undertaken of their current policies and procedures relating to life-limited components.

The CAA maintains that exceeding manufacturer life limits for certain components may be acceptable, provided an appropriate assessment has been carried out and a suitable justification is documented within the continuing airworthiness record system.

A trilateral meeting between the CAA, BMAA and LAA was held in September 2025 to agree the proposed policy direction. Since then, both organisations have been working to develop and enhance guidance material and supporting processes relating to the management of life-limited components within their respective fleets.

Following further engagement between the BMAA and LAA in February 2026 to ensure a consistent and aligned approach, draft guidance material was submitted to the CAA for review.

The CAA has since been advised by the LAA that publication of this guidance has been delayed slightly from the originally anticipated timescale due to unforeseen circumstances and competing operational priorities. However, the LAA has informed us that it intends to publish an article on the management of life-limited items in the September 2026 edition of Light Aviation. In parallel, procedural updates will be communicated to inspectors to support consistent application of the revised policy.

The associated technical leaflet on life-limited items, together with updates to the generic maintenance schedule and a new time expiring components tracking supplement form, are currently in the final stages of drafting and are expected to be issued as part of the planned communications programme.

The CAA continues to liaise with the BMAA regarding their proposed guidance.

These actions are intended to strengthen the management and oversight of life-limited components and provide aircraft owners and inspectors with improved processes for recording occasions where components exceed manufacturers' recommended lives, together with the engineering assessment and justification supporting continued use. 

The CAA will continue to monitor progress with both organisations and will provide a further update on actions taken to address these Safety Recommendations by the end of November 2026.

Partially Adequate Open

November 2026