Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22592 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04- 12, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-04-12 required repetitive detailed inspections of affected cargo sealing tapes and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-04-12, additional locations have been identified that are subject to the unsafe condition. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2023-04-12 and expands the inspection area, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0176, dated October 6, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0176).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0176 refers to “31 January 2023 [the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0011],” this AD requires replacing those words with “March 14, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-04-12).”
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0176 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0176 specifies accomplishing corrective actions if “discrepancies, as identified in the AOT” are found, for this AD, discrepancies are defined as cargo sealing tape that has migrated more than 11 millimeters, complete migration of the tape as shown in Condition B of the service information reference in EASA AD 2023-0176, incorrect seating/condition of the tape in repaired areas, and incorrect sealant condition in repaired areas.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0176 specifies accomplishing corrective actions “in accordance with the instructions of the AOT,” for this AD, replace those words with “in accordance with the instructions of the AOT for the FWD and AFT cargo compartment areas and in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A53P016-22, Revision 03, dated September 13, 2023, or later approved revisions for the BULK cargo compartment areas.”
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0176 specifies use of cargo sealing tape 398FR, this AD also allows use of cargo sealing tape 398FRP.
(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0176.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2023-04-12 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2023-0176 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(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, 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 referenced in EASA AD 2023-0176 that 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.
For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7317; email Dat.V.Le@faa.gov.
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
