A manufacturing defect has been discovered in Superjet 100 aircraft

:: Azimuth Airlines

Russia’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya has issued an Airworthiness Directive aimed at correcting a possible manufacturing flaw on several Superjet 100 aircraft (Russian regional jet, RRJ-95), which may potentially result in structural defect. The AD covers 14 RRJ-95 aircraft produced in 2016, MSN 95104 to 95117, of which seven are grounded and stored, and the remaining seven are operated by Azimuth (one aircraft), Yamal (five aircraft) and Rossiya (one aircraft) airlines.

It has been determined that deviation from design documentation occurred during assembly of these aircraft, specifically section F2 of the fuselage, in the area of the forward door, stringers lacked fasteners where they are attached to the bulkhead ribs, which may potentially result in cracks due to operational loads.

Aircraft manufacturer Yakovlev in May submitted a report to Rosaviatsiya about their findings, however the AD was officially issued in August only.

According to the AD, aircraft operators are to run additional inspections as per Yakovlev’s Service Bulletins (SBs) concentrating on possible cracks, folds, corrosion or loose fasteners as well as any defects of skin painting.

If any aircraft is found to have the defect, it must be removed from service and repaired.