Saved by the Slat

A long-haul aircraft belonging to one of our clients had been ferried for a wing repainting operation. Unfortunately, due to an error by the subcontracted company in charge of the task, paint was inadvertently applied to one of the aircraft’s leading-edge slats. During the pre-departure checks ahead of its return to Roissy CDG, activation of the slats led to the fracture of the rotary actuator, rendering the slat inoperative and placing the aircraft in an AOG situation.

Faced with this critical scenario, our teams responded without delay. One of our engineer-technicians, already on site to oversee departures, found himself on the front line. Two other technicians, based at Roissy CDG that day, quickly made themselves available to provide support. The situation required the replacement of the rotary actuator, a heavy and technically demanding operation, made even more complex by the fact that the aircraft was not located at one of our main bases, and we lacked the usual infrastructure for such an intervention.

Despite these constraints, the operation was carried out with remarkable efficiency. Thanks to the dedication of our team, the faulty component was replaced and all necessary adjustments completed, right on time before the site’s temporary closure deadline at 11:15 p.m. The aircraft was then able to proceed to its next stop to collect its passengers, and ultimately resume its journey to its final destination.

Meanwhile, another Crystal Aero Solutions team member was coordinating the AOG from abroad, working closely with the airline’s logistics team. They swiftly sourced the necessary references and ensured smooth follow-up throughout the operation. It’s worth noting that the replacement component had to be shipped from Amsterdam, while the specialized tooling came from Washington.

Once again, in the face of intense time pressure and a highly complex technical challenge, this mission stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and expertise of our teams, ready to rise to any situation, no matter how demanding.