Rule2026-02095
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
February 2, 2026
Effective
March 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that certain lower torque links of the nose landing gear (NLG) were manufactured without bright shot peening; the omission of bright shot peening could result in reduced fatigue life of the parts. This AD requires replacement of affected parts before exceeding their reduced life limit and limits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4428-4431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02095]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0611; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00763-T;
Amendment 39-23243; AD 2026-02-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by
reports that certain lower torque links of the nose landing gear (NLG)
were manufactured without bright shot peening; the omission of bright
shot peening could result in reduced fatigue life of the parts. This AD
requires replacement of affected parts before exceeding their reduced
life limit and limits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 9,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0611; 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 Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45
80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#43202c2d372a2d3626276e222a31342c31372b2a2d2630306d22707673037f22632b3126257e" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
<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#6425201724010517054a0111160b14054a0111"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bffefbccffdadeccde91dacacdd0cfde91daca">[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-2025-0611.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Benson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3647; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9d7d0dad1d6d5d8ca97d197dbdcd7cad6d7f9dfd8d897ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d43444e4542414c5e0345034f48435e42436d4b4c4c034a425b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model
A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on April 7, 2025 (90 FR 14920). The NPRM was prompted by AD
2024-0248,
[[Page 4429]]
dated December 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0248) (also referred to as the
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. The MCAI states that it has been reported
that certain NLG lower torque links were manufactured without bright
shot peening. The omission of bright shot peening may reduce the
fatigue life of the component, depending on which weight variant and
NLG standard the component is installed on. This condition, if not
corrected, could lead to failure of the NLG, possibly resulting in
damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of affected
parts before exceeding their reduced life limit and limit the
installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0248. 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-2025-0611.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Airline Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Delta Airlines (Delta).
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Clarify Compliance Time
Delta requested clarification regarding the compliance time for
operators to implement the new life limits. Delta stated that paragraph
(1) of EASA AD 2024-0248 identifies the limit for when the affected
parts must be replaced but does not specify how long operators have to
implement the new life limits. Delta noted, in contrast, all EASA ADs
pertaining to Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 1 allow 12
months to implement the new life limits, and the corresponding FAA ADs
specify implementing all limits within 90 days after the effective date
of the AD.
The FAA notes that this AD does not require operators to revise
their existing maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the
reduced safe life limits for the affected parts. Instead, this AD
requires replacing an affected part before it exceeds the reduced safe
life limit. Since the FAA has not identified any affected parts that
are close to exceeding the reduced life limits, it is not necessary to
provide a 90-day compliance time for their incorporation. The FAA has
not changed this AD in this regard.
Request To Omit Clearance Check if Replacement Is Done During NLG
Overhaul
Delta requested that the FAA add an exception to paragraph (h) of
the proposed AD to specify if the affected lower torque link is
replaced during NLG overhaul by the appropriate vendor, then a
clearance check is not required, as specified in paragraph 3.E of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service information referenced in
EASA AD 2024-0248. Delta noted that the clearance check is identified
in the service information as required for compliance. However, Delta
stated that replacement of the affected part will be performed during
NLG overhaul and therefore the clearance check is not needed.
The FAA disagrees with the request. If replacement of the lower
torque link is accomplished while the NLG is off the airplane, the
clearance check is required after the NLG is re-installed on the
airplane. However, under the provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD,
the FAA will consider requests for AMOCs. The FAA has not changed this
AD in this regard.
Request To Clarify Part Number (P/N) Definition for Component and
Assembly
Delta requested that the FAA add an exception to paragraph (h) of
the proposed AD to include the following clarification to the
definition of ``Affected parts'': Lower torque link component P/N 5035-
0401 (FIN 6010GN) is the main part of lower torque link assembly P/N
5035A0400-01 (FIN 5011GN). Delta stated that EASA AD 2024-0248 requires
replacement of NLG lower torque link component P/N 5035-0401 as
referenced in Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-P057, Revision 01, dated
December 12, 2024 (Revision 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-
P057), but the component is a non-procurable part and therefore does
not appear in the component maintenance manual (CMM) for shock strut
assembly P/N 4816A0000-06 or the CMM for shock strut assembly P/N
6406A0000-01. Delta noted that the proposed AD does not address this
concern.
The FAA disagrees with the request. Clarification is not needed
because the Accomplishment Instructions of Revision 01 of Airbus
Service Bulletin A350-32-P057 specify that the NLG lower torque link
component (FIN 6010GN) is a subcomponent of lower torque link assembly
(FIN 5011GN) to distinguish between NLG lower torque link component
(FIN 6010GN) P/N 5035-0401 and lower torque link assembly (FIN 5011GN),
and the ``Life Limitations of the Affected Nose Landing Gear (NLG)
Lower Torque Link Component'' table in Appendix B identifies lower
torque link component 6010GN as P/N 5035-0401. Further, the FAA notes
that replacing the lower torque link assembly (FIN 6010GN) would
constitute replacement of the affected part. The FAA has not changed
this AD in this regard.
Request To Correct the Sliding Piston Assembly Part Number
Delta requested that the FAA add an exception to paragraph (h) of
the proposed AD to correct the NLG sliding piston assembly part number
referenced in flagnote 01 in Appendix B of Revision 01 of Airbus
Service Bulletin A350-32-P057. Delta stated that service information
references incorrect P/N 64072000-XX. Delta noted the CMM for shock
strut assembly P/N 6406A0000-01 identifies the sliding piston assembly
part number as P/N 6407A2000-XX, and that Airbus acknowledged the error
in Revision 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-P057 via a
TechRequest message with Delta.
The FAA agrees that P/N 6407A2000-XX is correct, as specified in
Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-P057, dated September 30, 2024.
Accordingly, the FAA has added a new exception in paragraph (h)(4) of
this AD to correct the part number in Revision 01 of Airbus Service
Bulletin A350-32-P057.
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, and any other changes described previously,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
[[Page 4430]]
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0248, which specifies procedures for
replacement of NLG lower torque links identified with P/N 5035-0401 and
certain serial numbers before exceeding their reduced life limit. EASA
AD 2024-0248 also limits installation of affected parts. The FAA also
reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-P057, Revision 01, dated
December 12, 2024, which specifies procedures for an inspection or
records check to determine if an affected part is installed,
replacement of an affected part with a serviceable part, and applicable
clearance check.
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:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765........................... $28,000 $28,765 $978,010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-02-07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23243; Docket No. FAA-2025-0611;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00763-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 9, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that certain lower torque links of
the nose landing gear (NLG) were manufactured without bright shot
peening; the omission of bright shot peening could result in reduced
fatigue life of the parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
omitted bright shot peening. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could lead to failure of the nose landing gear, possibly resulting in
damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless
already done.
(g) Requirements
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 2024-0248, dated
December 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0248).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0248
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0248 refers to its effective date, this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0248 defines a serviceable part as ``Any NLG
Lower Torque Link eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus
instructions, which is not an affected part'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``Any NLG lower torque link, eligible for
installation, which is not an affected part''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2024-
0248.
(4) Where flagnote 01 in Appendix B of Airbus Service Bulletin
A350-32-P057, Revision 01, dated December 12, 2024, specifies ``PN
64072000-XX'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``PN
6407A2000-XX''.
(i) 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
[[Page 4431]]
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 the
Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#56171b19151630373778313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c1d11131f1c3a3d3d723b332a">[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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph
(i)(2) of this AD, if any material contains procedures or tests that
are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply
with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are
recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC
may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval
of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be
done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Benson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3647; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#721c1b111a1d1e13015c1a5c10171c011d1c321413135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="127c7b717a7d7e73613c7a3c70777c617d7c527473733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation
by reference 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.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-32-P057, Revision 01, dated
December 12, 2024.
(ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0248,
dated December 18, 2024.
(3) For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS,
Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45
80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87e4e8e9f3eee9f2e2e3aae6eef5f0e8f5f3efeee9e2f4f4a9e6b4b2b7c7bbe6a7eff5e2e1ba" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
(4) 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#6322271023060210024d0616110c13024d0616"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4e5e0d7e4c1c5d7c58ac1d1d6cbd4c58ac1d1">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the EASA
website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(5) 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.
(6) 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#f69084d89f9885869395829f9998b698978497d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d6b7f2364637e7d686e796462634d636c7f6c236a627b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 15, 2026.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02095 Filed 1-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 2, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.