Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23084 · Nacelles/pylons
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, having manufacturer serial numbers listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A350-54-P011, dated July 4, 2024.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of deep spot faces on rib 9 at the lower flange bolting with the lower spar. This AD requires a special detailed inspection for discrepancies of certain pylon bolts, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0234, dated December 6, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0234).
(1) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0234 specifies “accomplish the corrective actions,” this AD requires replacing that text with “accomplish the corrective actions, including any inspection instructions.”
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0234 specifies “Where the SB instructs to contact Airbus for approved repair instructions, this AD requires to contact Airbus for corrective action(s) instructions, and within the compliance time specified therein, to accomplish those instructions accordingly,” this AD requires replacing that text with “Where the SB instructs to contact Airbus for instructions or inspections, this AD requires contacting Airbus for instructions and inspections, as applicable, and within the compliance time specified therein, accomplishing those instructions accordingly; except if any cracking is found, the cracking must be repaired before further flight 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) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0234.
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0234 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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 (k) of this AD and email to: 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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.
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@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.