As the Legacy 450/500 and Challenger 300 both utilize the same inlet and engine cowling, West Star Aviation and DAS Aviation specialists have noted several inlets with lower cowl door damage recently on both airframes.

This lower cowl door provides access to the oil reservoir and opens down and not against the wind. When a latch fails or is not closed properly during movement or flight, the door frequently disengages from the aircraft completely.

When this occurs, damage to the inlet/cowl structure is often very significant. Repairs can range up to $70,000 (of which the hinge is $30,000) for this simple door assembly.

Operators can often avoid this potential costly damage by simple periodic inspection of the door and latches during preflight checks. Also, maintenance personnel should make sure the doors are closed properly and completely locked after opening for maintenance.

The professionals at West Star Aviation are trained to incorporate these small details into their standard operating procedures when performing maintenance.

However, should you have a latch fail resulting in inlet or cowl damage, trust DAS Aviation, West Star’s affiliate aircraft component and structure repair company, to perform the repair and have you back in service in no time.

DAS Aviation, with locations in both Texas and Ohio, specializes in complete structural repair capabilities for components like: