Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22053 · Flight controls
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2022-13-19. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2022-0079-E, dated May 5, 2022 (EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an indication that both elevator actuators of the PRIMary flight control computers (PRIMs) were considered faulty due to incorrect instructions with a new PRIM standard. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM), and revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) provisions, to include limitations and procedures to mitigate the risk of elevator failure during flare, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E.
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E specifies to “inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly,” this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E specifies to “implement the instructions of the MER, as defined in [the EASA Emergency] AD,” for this AD replace that phrase with “revise the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) to incorporate the instructions of the MER.”
(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E specifies “operating the aeroplane accordingly,” this AD does not require that action as that action is already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
(5) The “Remarks” section of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0079-E does not apply to this AD.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
