Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23166 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (7), certificated in any category.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(4) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-642 airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that, during flight with landing gear down, the brake system accumulators and shut-off valve (SOV) protecting the brake accumulators might be exposed to a temperature lower than the one for which the accumulator and SOV are qualified. This AD is also prompted by the determination that, if an airplane is dispatched under existing conditions associated with the "L/G Retraction Fault" alert, operations for Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G) will be prevented. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new procedures for flight with landing gear down and the existing minimum equipment list (MEL) to prevent dispatch with an "L/G Retraction Fault" alert. 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 2025-0175, dated August 8, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0175).
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0175 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to “implement the instructions of the MMEL update”, this AD requires replacing that text with “revise the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating the information identified in “the MMEL update” ”.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to “inform all flight crews, and thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly,” and where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175 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 (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and (5)).
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to “implement the AFM update”, this AD requires replacing that text with “revise the existing AFM by incorporating the applicable information identified in “the AFM update” ”.
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0175.
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 (j) 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 Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: Frank.Carreras@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
