We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Automotive

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Cross-Canning?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 4,438
Share

Cross-canning is an aircraft maintenance technique which involves removing parts from one aircraft and placing them in another. As a short-term stopgap, cross-canning can be extremely effective, as it keeps planes in the air rather than grounding them while they wait for parts. However, it is not entirely without controversy, as there may be times when a cross-canned part fails, tempting people to blame the failure on the cross-canning.

Typically, when parts are cross-canned, they are taken from older planes or planes with a maintenance due and placed into newer planes, or planes which have just been repaired. The idea is that it is better to keep the newer, more recently maintained aircraft flying, rather than flying older planes which might need work soon. In this sense, cross-canning can help to keep a fleet of aircraft healthy and flying, by using parts in highly efficient ways.

In some cases, a part may be cross-canned several times, while maintenance crews wait for replacement parts to arrive. When parts are cross-canned, it is usually noted in the maintenance log for the plane, so that maintenance crews are aware that some of the parts in a plane may have been serviced more recently than others. The serial number and model of the part are also noted down, as is the case with all parts installed in aircraft, so that if there is a recall of a series of part, it is easy to identify which planes need service.

Sometimes, a fleet of aircraft has a restricted maintenance budget, or replacement parts are difficult to obtain. Cross-canning can be extremely helpful in these instances, by maximizing the efficiency of the fleet, keeping working parts in active use rather than allowing them to languish on the tarmac. As a result, this practice is common across a range of aviation industries, from militaries to shipping companies, and people who maintain planes are taught when and how to cross-can parts.

There are some instances in which cross-canning can be problematic. Sometimes unethical maintenance crews install parts which should be serviced, rather than being re-used, in the interest of getting planes up in the air quickly. Cross-canning can also sometimes be used to cover up problems, and there have been documented instances of mis-labeled cross-canned parts which have caused issues.

Share
WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wikimotors.org/what-is-cross-canning.htm
Copy this link
WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.