Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a missing main landing gear (MLG) brake rod center pin nut sub-assembly detected during an inspection. This AD requires, depending on airplane configuration, inspection of the MLG brake rod center pin nut, lock ring, and end plate, inspection of the MLG brake rod center pin and nut, and applicable corrective actions. This AD also requires additional work for certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 216 (Tuesday, November 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 10, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72394-72397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22897]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-2729; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00726-T; 
Amendment 39-23513; AD 2026-22-11]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of a missing main landing gear (MLG) brake rod center pin nut 
sub-assembly detected during an inspection. This AD requires, depending 
on airplane configuration, inspection of the MLG brake rod center pin 
nut, lock ring, and end plate, inspection of the MLG brake rod center 
pin and nut, and applicable corrective actions. This AD also requires 
additional work for certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 15, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 15, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-2729; 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#0b4a4f784b6e6a786a256e7e79647b6a256e7e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5011142310353123317e3525223f20317e3525">[email&#160;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-2026-2729.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Younglove, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3644; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9d8d7ddcbdcce97dc97c0d6ccd7ded5d6cfdcf9dfd8d897ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0968676d7b6c7e276c2770667c676e65667f6c496f6868276e667f">[email&#160;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 certain Airbus SAS 
Model A350-941 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 30, 2026 (91 FR 15569). The NPRM was prompted by EASA 
AD 2025-0150, dated July 14, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0150) (also referred to 
as the

[[Page 72395]]

MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI states an occurrence was 
reported of a missing MLG brake rod center pin nut sub-assembly 
detected during an inspection. Further investigation revealed severe 
corrosion on the threads and splines of the MLG brake rod center pin 
and nut sub-assemblies that could have led to the detachment of the MLG 
brake rod center pin nut sub-assembly. This condition, if not 
addressed, could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly resulting 
in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require, depending on airplane 
configuration, inspection of the MLG brake rod center pin nut, lock 
ring, and end plate, inspection of the MLG brake rod center pin and 
nut, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD 2025-
0150. The proposed AD also required additional work for certain 
airplanes, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0150. 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-2026-2729.

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 received additional comments from Delta Air Lines (Delta). 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Allow Alternative Subtasks

    Delta requested the FAA add an exception in paragraph (h) of the 
proposed AD to allow use of the applicable subtasks to Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) Task A350-A-32-11-62-01001-720A-A, instead of 
requiring only Subtask 321162-40100060004 to Task A350-A-32-11-62-
01001-720A-A. Delta stated the referenced subtask is not applicable to 
all affected Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. Delta also stated 
that the referenced steps to Subtask 321162-40100060004 are correct, so 
using only the step references will allow operators to use the 
applicable subtask.
    The FAA agrees and has added a new exception in paragraph (h)(4) of 
this AD accordingly.

Request To Allow Other Paint Repair Procedures

    Delta requested the FAA add an exception in paragraph (h) of the 
proposed AD to specify that the note in Airbus Alert Operators 
Transmission (AOT) A32P034-24, Revision 01, dated May 27, 2025 (the 
AOT), for repairing any paint damage, provides an accepted procedure, 
not a required procedure. Delta stated the procedure in that note 
requires using paint and primer products that are not available to 
Delta, and that Airbus clarified that the note directing the operator 
to use certain vendor service information for repairing any paint 
damage is a general repair instruction and is intended only to guide 
operators in restoring paint damage. Delta also stated that Airbus 
confirmed operators may follow standard repair processes via other 
documentation and that they have no objections to Delta's approved 
external paint repair process.
    The FAA disagrees with this request. The FAA reviewed Airbus's 
response to Delta and determined that an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) is required to repair paint damage using other 
methods not specified in the vendor service information referenced in 
the AOT. Although Airbus has no objection to Delta restoring the paint 
damage using its approved repair process, the note in the AOT resides 
under a paragraph designated as Required for Compliance (RC), and that 
note specifies to repair any damage to paint ``in accordance with'' 
certain vendor service information. Additionally, the FAA does not 
consider it appropriate to include provisions in an AD applicable only 
to a single operator's unique maintenance practices. However, under the 
provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) may be requested for a deviation to any procedures 
identified as required for compliance in the service information. The 
FAA has not changed the AD in this regard.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2025-0150 specifies procedures for detailed visual 
inspection of the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) MLG brake rod 
center pin nut, lock ring, and end plate for discrepancies (which 
include damage to the painted surface, the sealant, or the lockwire; 
gaps or separations in the sealant; or external corrosion) and 
applicable corrective actions; and detailed visual inspection of the RH 
and LH MLG brake rod center pin and nut for discrepancies (which 
include corrosion of the pin or nut threads, damage or distortion of 
the threads and splines, deep gouges or scratches penetrating the 
surface protection, exposure of base material, or need for repair of 
the cadmium plating), and applicable corrective actions. Corrective 
actions include replacement of the brake rod pin sub-assembly.
    EASA AD 2025-0150 introduces additional work for airplanes with any 
MLG brake rod pin sub-assembly that has been reinstalled without 
reinstalling lockwire and applying sealant. The additional work is 
contacting Airbus for instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions. EASA AD 2025-0150 also specifies reporting the results of 
the inspections (including no findings) to the manufacturer.
    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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 72396]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $595              $0  Up to $595................  Up to $1,785.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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            Labor cost                 Parts cost      Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $30,399              $32,099
 $1,700...........................
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Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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:

2026-22-11 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23513; Docket No. FAA-2026-2729; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00726-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 15, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0150, dated July 14, 2025 
(EASA AD 2025-0150).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a missing main landing gear 
(MLG) brake rod center pin nut sub-assembly detected during an 
inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address discrepancies of 
the MLG brake rod center pin and nut that could lead to detachment 
of the MLG brake rod center pin nut sub-assembly. This condition, if 
not addressed, could prevent the extension of the MLG, 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, EASA AD 2025-0150.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0150

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0150 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0150 refers to May 9, 2025 (the effective 
date of EASA AD 2025-0095), this AD requires using the effective 
date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0150.

[[Page 72397]]

    (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0150 specifies 
``Subtask 321162-40100060004'', this AD requires replacing that text 
with ``Subtask 321162-40100060004 or the Subtask applicable to your 
airplane configuration''.

(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 
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#ce8f83818d8ea8afafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="62232f2d21220403034c050d14">[email&#160;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 referenced in EASA AD 
2025-0150 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the 
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC 
paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, 
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not 
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, 
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Andrew Younglove, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3644; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0c1cec4d2c5d78ec58ed9cfd5cec7cccfd6c5e0c6c1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e988878d9b8c9ec78cc790869c878e85869f8ca98f8888c78e869f">[email&#160;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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0150, 
dated July 14, 2025.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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#cd8c89be8da8acbeace3a8b8bfa2bdace3a8b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bdadfe8dbfefae8fab5feeee9f4ebfab5feee">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on 
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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#cea8bce0a7a0bdbeabadbaa7a1a08ea0afbcafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c3a5b1edaaadb0b3a6a0b7aaacad83ada2b1a2eda4acb5">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on November 6, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-22897 Filed 11-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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