Federal Register #2026-20119

FAA airworthiness directives for Airbus A350 and helicopter models

The Federal Aviation Administration issued airworthiness directives covering Airbus and Leonardo aircraft, rather than a solicitation for goods or services. - Government buyer and issuing office: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); no specific FAA office is identified. - OEMs named: Airbus SAS, Airbus Helicopters, and Leonardo S.p.a. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is referenced as an aviation authority, not as a supplier. - Airbus A350 directive: Applies to A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes; an estimated 36 U.S.-registered aircraft are affected. It requires recurring inspections of horizontal tail plane lateral load fitting bushings for broken sealant and bushing migration, with repair or modification as needed. Certain repairs or modifications do not end the recurring inspection requirement. - Airbus Helicopters directive: Covers AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. Requirements include checking serial numbers and updating log cards for specified tail-rotor-drive fan wheels and impeller second stages; findings may require a one-time borescope inspection, replacement or re-identification of parts, or limits on installing certain parts. - Leonardo directive: Covers AB139 and AW139 helicopters and incorporates EASA requirements to inspect for physical damage associated with possible nozzle exhaust duct clamp separation and tail rotor drive shaft damage. - Safety purpose: Address risks including corrosion, fatigue, structural damage, and reduced aircraft controllability. Inspection intervals and compliance times are specified in referenced EASA directives.

Description

The FAA is issuing a final rule that supersedes Airworthiness Directive 2021-03-08 for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The directive continues repetitive inspections for migration of horizontal tail plane lateral load fitting bushings and removes a repair or modification previously treated as terminating action. It also expands the applicability to address additional reports of bushing migration and the associated risk of structural damage and reduced controllability. The directive is effective November 5, 2026.

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