Ecuadorian Air Force's third C-295M returns to service following major inspection

An Airbus C-295 undergoes maintenance, carried out by the Ecuadorian Air Force's (FAE) Directorate of Aeronautical Industry (DIAF) (FAE)

The Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) has announced the return to service of its third Airbus C-295M aircraft, after the FAE's Directorate of Aeronautical Industry (DIAF) completed a major inspection.

The inspection is part of the FAE's phased maintenance and airworthiness control programmes.

According to the FAE, the process included the concurrent execution of scheduled 8Y inspections (major structural inspection including in-depth review of fuselage/structure, corrosion, fatigue, and overhaul of multiple systems), 4Y inspections (intermediate-high inspection, comprising structural evaluation, critical systems, and limited-life components), 2Y inspections (intermediate inspection including review of systems and components, functional testing, and enhanced preventive maintenance), C inspections (major inspection scheduled by flight hours or cycles involving extensive panel opening, comprehensive check of systems, avionics, and hydraulics), and 2C inspections (including additional structural tasks, major replacements, and work approaching a partial overhaul), and incorporated technical directives and service bulletins (SBs).

The intervention included disassembly, non-destructive testing, component replacement based on condition and service life limits, as well as ground functional testing, according to the FAE.

The process concluded with a Functional Verification Flight (FVF) from Manta Airport, selected for its low air traffic conditions. For approximately two hours, the performance of the serviced systems was validated at altitudes above 10,000 ft, confirming the aircraft's reliability upon its return to operational status, according to the air force.

The 8Y major overhaul, carried out at Transport Wing No 11, was performed entirely by military personnel, consolidating high-level organic maintenance capabilities within the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE), according to the FAE.

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