MIAMI – Russia’s civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has grounded the country’s fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft, citing concerns over metal fatigue. The grounding of Russia’s nearly 50-strong fleet of SSJ100s came after inspections by Rosaviatsia found metal fatigue in the tail of one SSJ100 operated by Irkutsk-based regional airline IrAero. Metal fatigue is a common problem in older airplanes, but with the entire SSJ fleet aged less than six years, the appearance in a newer SSJ model is a worrisome sign.
According to an
airworthiness directive (AD) issued by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, airlines will be required to perform a daily check of the stabilizer bracket attachment bands prior to departure from a base airport. Additional weekly inspections of the lugs of the stabilizer upper and lower bracket attachment bands will also be required, and aircraft operation has to be terminated after the detection of a crack.
Zakładki