Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22823 · Auto flight
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) 2022-13- 11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-13-11 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for airplanes equipped with affected flight control units (FCUs) and replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU. This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent auto flight system (AFS) altitude changes on the FCU; an investigation revealed that, depending on the ring selection, failure of the ALT knob on the FCU could change the target altitude. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-13-11, including replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU, expands the requirement to revise the existing AFM for all airplanes, and prohibits the installation of affected parts; 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 2023-0215, dated December 11, 2023; corrected December 13, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0215).
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0215 refers to “02 December 2021 [the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0260, dated November 18, 2021],” this AD requires using August 9, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-13-11).
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0215 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0215 specify 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.
(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0215 does not apply to this AD.
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.
(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.
For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@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
