Parts Report: Which Parts Were Hardest to Find in April 2026?

As the global aviation supply chain faces continuing challenges and changes in component availability and pricing, knowing which parts are hardest to find can help maintenance organizations stay on top of shortages.

With insight from Locatory.com, this article outlines the hardest-to-find parts from April 2026, looking at the global and North American markets.

According to Locatory.com reports, “April’s shortage profile is led by standard hardware, followed by cabin/safety globally and airframe/landing gear in North America. Engine parts remain critical, but they represent a smaller share of constrained items by count.”

What were the top 50 hardest-to-find parts in April 2026?

April 2026 data identifies standard hardware as the most constrained category for parts and components, both globally and in North America.

While many categories show similar challenges in parts sourcing, the largest discrepancy is in cabin and safety components, with North American markets showing fewer constraints.

Why standard hardware components emerge as the most constrained segment

Both in North American markets and across the globe, standard hardware components show the highest constraints. Since these parts are critical for maintenance tasks and are often multi-platform and high-consumption, gaps in availability can cause significant operational delays.

Locatory.com shares that the hardest-to-find standard hardware components in April 2026 include:

• Bolts (PN: AN3H-6A / AN4-10A / AN5-21A)
• Nuts (PN: AN365-428 / AN365-624)
• Cotter Pins (PN: AN380-4-4)
• Washers (PN: AN960-8)
• Pins (PN: 487-4)
• Packings (PN: MS28775-224)
• Hose and Tube Assemblies (PN: 70-010H000T070 / 70-010H000V080, PN: XA1AC / XA1AD)
• Kit (PN: 005W3620-2)
• Retainer Seal (PN: 147A6145-15)

Which cabin and safety components were hardest to find in April 2026?

As the second-largest category in terms of constraints, cabin and safety components show shortages of 26% globally and 18% in North America.

Locatory.com reports note, “This data suggests global operators are seeing more distributed cabin and safety shortages, while North America’s constraints are tied to specific fleet maintenance needs.”

Both in North America and around the world, the most constrained cabin and safety components include:

• Fire Extinguisher (PN: 473957-4 / G800100-3)
• Escape Slide (PN: 5A3307-701)
• Window Assy for B777 (PN: 141W4835-7)
• Acoustic Liner Panel for B778 (PN: 2082M14G01)
• Lamp for B737 (PN: F40T12WW)

In terms of broader global shortages, the data highlights components like:

• Fire Extinguisher (PN: 30H673)
• Windshield and Side Cockpit Window for Bombardier CRJ series (PN: NP139321-9 / NP139322-2)
• Protective Breathing Equipment (PN: MR10037N)
• Cockpit Dome Light (PN: 2LA007278-75)
• APU Panel Assy (PN: 601R51226-23)

How hard were airframe and landing gear components to find in April 2026?

Search data for airframe and landing gear components convey that shortages seem stronger in North America than globally, with these parts making up 23% of North American searches and 14% of global searches.

According to experts at Locatory.com, “North America is facing stronger availability pressure around landing gear and structural components, consistent with active overhaul and high-utilization regional fleet maintenance.”

The most constrained airframe and landing gear parts that appear in both datasets are:

• Air Trac Tire (PN: AA1D4 / AA1E4)
• Cylinder Assy for B737 (PN: 4A3904-5)
• Inboard Main Flap for B737 (PN: 113A2100-72)

In North America specifically, the following components in this category appear as the hardest to find:

• Thrust Reverser for B737 (PN: 315A2295-243)
• Axle Assy for B777 (PN: 161W2160-3)
• Nose Landing Gear Torsion Link Assy for B777 (PN: 162W1300-3)
• Shutoff Valve for A320 family (PN: 0711480-004)

How hard-to-find were avionics and sensor components for the month?

With avionics and sensor shortages sitting at 12% globally and 10% in North America, constraints for these parts show a relative balance.

As Locatory.com reports state, “Avionics shortages remain lower by volume but high in operational sensitivity.” Their availability depends heavily on repair capacity, certification, and traceability, which makes shortages harder to resolve quickly.

These shortages can be more difficult to resolve quickly, Locatory.com notes, due to the fact that their availability depends on:

• Repair capacity
• Certification
• Traceability

How difficult was it to find engine components in April 2026?

Globally, the most constrained engine components include:

• Piston Assembly for CFM56 (PN: 430378)
• CF34-3B Engine for Bombardier CRJ200 and Challenger series (PN: 6089T11G01)
• HPC Stage 4–9 Spool for A320 / B737 family (PN: 2048M20G03)
• Ring Scraper (PN: S11065-0015-5)

For the same time period, the hardest-to-find engine components in North America are:

• Roller Bearing (PN: 9542M61P03)
• Electronic Control Unit for CFM56-7B (PN: 2042M67P04)
• HPC Stage 4–9 Spool for A320 / B737 family (PN: 2048M20G03)

What constraints did electrical and power components present in April 2026?

While electrical and power components show the lowest level of constraints for the month, they remain a bit harder to find in the global market versus in North America.

Parts and components for electrical and power systems that were hardest to find include:

• Wiper Motor Converter for Bombardier CRJ series (PN: 2313M-341-2 / 2313M-340-2)
• Power Contactor Controller (PN: P600A803E014)
• Undervoltage Sensor Relay (PN: VS643)
• Pneumatic Compressor for A330 / A340 (PN: 766B0000-01)

In conclusion, Locatory.com experts say, “Overall, April data suggests aftermarket pressure is broadening from engine-only constraints into full maintenance package risk.”