Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22147 · Wings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-14-09. 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) AD 2022-0011, dated January 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0011).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-16- 03, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2021-16-03 required an inspection for missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at certain locations in the wing tanks, and corrective action. This AD was prompted by in-production findings of missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at specific locations in the wing tanks and by the development of a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2021-16-03 and requires a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 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 AD 2022-0011.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to October 27, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0220), this AD requires using September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0011 gives a compliance time of “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after 27 October 2020 [the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0220],” for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).
(ii) Within 12 months after September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to “discrepancies,” for this AD, discrepancies include missing or incorrectly applied sealant.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0011 gives a compliance time of “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this [EASA] AD,” for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0011 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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information 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.
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
