Rule2025-20927
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 25, 2025
Effective
December 30, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-02- 18, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-02-18 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-02- 18, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2023-02-18, and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53206-53208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20927]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0470; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00579-T;
Amendment 39-23165; AD 2025-20-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-02-
18, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes. AD 2023-02-18 required revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-02-
18, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions
in AD 2023-02-18, and requires revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 30, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 30,
2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of March
23, 2023 (88 FR 10020, February 16, 2023).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0470; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8f9fccbf8ddd9cbd996ddcdcad7c8d996ddcd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd8c89be8da8acbeace3a8b8bfa2bdace3a8b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0470.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3357525d1d415c575a5d52735552521d545c45"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b4f4a450559444f42454a6b4d4a4a054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-02-18, Amendment 39-22325 (88 FR
10020, February 16, 2023) (AD 2023-02-18). AD 2023-02-18 applied to
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-02-18
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. The FAA issued AD 2023-02-18 to address the potential
failure of certain life-limited parts, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the airplane.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2025
(90 FR 13311). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0189, dated October 1,
2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0189) (also referred to as
the MCAI). The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations have been developed.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require certain
actions in AD 2023-02-18 and to require revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD
2024-0189. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0470.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA also received a comment from ProTech Aero Services Limited.
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Confirm Intent To Allow Later Approved Revisions
ProTech Aero Services requested confirmation that the FAA intended
to allow the use of later approved revisions of service information to
comply with the proposed AD. The commenter noted that EASA AD 2024-0189
states that it allows use of later approved revisions in the Ref.
Publications section.
The FAA confirms that it intends to allow the use of applicable
later Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) revisions to comply with
the requirements of this AD. This AD refers to EASA AD 2024-0189 as the
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the
[[Page 53207]]
required actions. EASA AD 2024-0189 includes the Ref. Publications
section which accepts the use of later approved variations or revisions
of the referenced ALS document for compliance. Therefore, applicable
later approved ALS revisions are acceptable.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0189, which specifies new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and safe
life limits.
This AD also requires EASA AD 2022-0124, dated June 28, 2022, which
the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of March 23, 2023 (88 FR 10020, February 16, 2023).
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 34 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained
actions from AD 2023-02-18 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate.
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-02-18, Amendment 39-22325
(88 FR 10020, February 16, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2025-20-12 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23165; Docket No. FAA-2025-0470;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00579-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 30,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-02-18, Amendment 39-22325 (88 FR 10020,
February 16, 2023) (AD 2023-02-18).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before August 1, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the potential failure of certain life-
limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection
Program, With a New Terminating Action
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD
2023-02-18, with a new terminating action. For Model A350-941 and -
1041 airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or
original export certificate of airworthiness issues on or before May
2, 2022: Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0124, dated June 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0124). Accomplishing
the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program
required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of
this paragraph.
(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0124, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph
(k) of AD 2023-02-18, with no changes.
(1) The requirement specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-
0124 does not apply to this AD.
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(2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0124 specifies revising ``the
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, within 90 days after March 23, 2023 (the effective
date of AD 2023-02-18).
(3) The initial compliance time for complying with the
limitations specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0124 is at
the applicable ``limitations'' as incorporated by the requirements
of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0124, or within 90 days after March
23, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-02-18), whichever occurs
later.
(4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA
AD 2022-0124 do not apply to this AD.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0124.
(i) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a
New Exception
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD
2023-02-18, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph
(j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0124.
(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0189, dated October 1, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0189). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance
or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0189
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0189.
(2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0189 specifies revising ``the
approved AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for complying with limitations
specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0189 is at the applicable
``limitations'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2)
of EASA AD 2024-0189, or within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in
paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2024-0189.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0189.
(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref.
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-0189.
(m) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD and
email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#71303c3e32311710105f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3f2fefcf0f3d5d2d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(n) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0367626d2d716c676a6d62436562622d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1c5c0cf8fd3cec5c8cfc0e1c7c0c08fc6ced7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on December 30,
2025.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0189,
dated October 1, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on March 23,
2023 (88 FR 10020, February 16, 2023).
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0124,
dated June 28, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c58481b685a0a4b6a4eba0b0b7aab5a4eba0b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="59181d2a193c382a38773c2c2b362938773c2c">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(7) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84e2f6aaedeaf7f4e1e7f0edebeac4eae5f6e5aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4a2b6eaadaab7b4a1a7b0adabaa84aaa5b6a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 26, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20927 Filed 11-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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