FAA Mandates Urgent Cable Replacement for All MHI RJ CL-600 Regional Jets
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FAA issued an AD for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC CL-600 (CRJ) regional jets due to elevator autopilot cable failure risk, mandating immediate cable replacement.
Key Takeaways
- •FAA AD 2026-02-03 is effective February 5, 2026, targeting all MHI RJ Aviation ULC CL-600 series aircraft (CRJ family).
- •The unsafe condition is elevator autopilot control cable failure due to cyclic fatigue, which can jam the elevator servo drum.
- •The AD mandates replacing the elevator autopilot control cables to prevent loss of safe flight and landing control.
- •The mandate impacts approximately 600 U.S.-registered regional jets operated by major regional carriers like SkyWest, Endeavor, and PSA Airlines.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the entire MHI RJ Aviation ULC CL-600 series aircraft fleet. This urgent safety mandate is prompted by multiple reports of elevator autopilot control cable failure in service. The AD, identified as 2026-02-03, becomes effective on February 5, 2026.
The Unsafe Condition and Risk
The core problem is the potential for the elevator autopilot control cable to fracture. This failure is attributed to cyclic fatigue within the cable assembly. If a cable breaks, it can jam the elevator servo drum. This jamming restricts the elevator's movement in one direction. The FAA warns that this restriction could result in insufficient elevator control authority. This is especially critical during the landing phase of flight. Ultimately, the condition could lead to a loss of continued safe flight and landing.
Affected Aircraft Models
The AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC CL-600 models. This includes the popular regional jet variants:
- Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
- Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700)
- Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550)
- Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705)
- Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900)
- Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000)
These aircraft were formerly manufactured by Bombardier, Inc. The FAA estimates this AD affects approximately 600 airplanes of U.S. registry.
Required Corrective Action
The new Airworthiness Directive mandates a specific action to correct the unsafe condition. Operators must replace the affected elevator autopilot control cables. This action is based on a Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) issued by Transport Canada, the aviation authority for Canada. The compliance details and deadlines are specified within the AD document.
Impact on Regional Aviation
The MHI RJ CRJ regional jet family is a workhorse of the U.S. domestic network. Hundreds of these jets fly daily segments across the country. Major regional carriers operating these aircraft include SkyWest Airlines, Endeavor Air, and PSA Airlines. These airlines operate feeder services for major carriers like American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express. The required MHI RJ cable replacement will necessitate immediate scheduling and maintenance planning. This ensures compliance with the FAA Airworthiness Directive by the effective date. The cost of compliance involves labor hours for the replacement. However, the primary concern is the aviation safety regulation compliance. This AD is a critical measure to prevent potential loss of safe flight events. The aviation industry prioritizes safety over potential operational disruption. This mandate highlights the FAA's proactive approach to addressing component cyclic fatigue failure in aging regional fleets. The prompt response ensures the continued regional aviation safety for millions of passengers.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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