Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34750-34752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3475; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01561-T; 
Amendment 39-23374; AD 2026-12-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
manufacturing investigation that found improper application of the 
fastener retorque process at the center wing box (CWB) and belly 
fairing (BF) junctions could lead to insufficient clamping. This AD 
requires replacing each affected part and applying additional head nut 
cap protection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 14, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 14, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3475; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]. 
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3475.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony DeCaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-
627-5374; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS 
Model A350-941 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on April 3, 2026 (91 FR 16867). The NPRM was prompted by EASA 
AD 2025-0209, dated September 24, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0209) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that 
during manufacturing investigation of an early production A350-941 
airplane, it was found that improper application of the fastener 
retorque process at the CWB and BF junctions could lead to insufficient 
clamping. Fasteners with part number EN6115 code B were particularly 
susceptible to rotation, and if not torqued correctly, could 
potentially compromise structural integrity and compliance with the 
electromagnetic hazard requirements of the airplane. This condition, if 
not corrected, could, in the case of a fuel leak, create a source of 
ignition, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing affected 
fasteners installed on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of 
the CWB and BF junctions and applying additional head nut cap 
protection, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0209. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3475.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) that they supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2025-0209 specifies procedures for replacing affected 
fasteners installed on the LH and RH sides of the CWB and BF junctions 
and applying additional head nut cap protection.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 34751]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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              Labor cost                      Parts cost            Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 68 work hours x $85 per hour =   Up to $940.............  Up to $6,720...........  Up to $13,440.
 $5,780.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-12-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23374; Docket No. FAA-2026-3475; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01561-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 14, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0209, dated September 24, 2025 
(EASA AD 2025-0209).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturing investigation that found 
improper application of the fastener retorque process at the center 
wing box (CWB) and belly fairing (BF) junctions could lead to 
insufficient clamping. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
improperly torqued fasteners that could lead to insufficient 
clamping and potentially compromise the airplane's structural 
integrity and compliance with electromagnetic hazard requirements. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could, in case of a fuel 
leak, create a source of ignition and possibly result in an 
uncontrolled fire.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0209.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0209

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0209 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the definition of ``Affected parts'' in EASA AD 2025-
0209 specifies ``as specified in the SB'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A350-57-P093, dated June 17, 2025''.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0209.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    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: 
[email protected]. 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(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.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Anthony DeCaro, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 562-627-5374; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

[[Page 34752]]

    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0209, 
dated September 24, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on 
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on June 4, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-11511 Filed 6-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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