FAA to Airbus: Check Your Wings for Sketchy Sealant, Stat!
Published Date: 3/11/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for certain Airbus A350 airplanes to check for missing or wrong sealant in wing parts and fix lightning protection layers. This means more detailed inspections and fixes to keep flights safe. Airlines need to act by April 25, 2025, and while this might cost some time and money, it’s all about keeping passengers safe in the skies!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New inspections to stop wing-tank ignition
If you fly on Airbus A350-941 or -1041 airplanes, the FAA proposes new rules that require a one-time detailed inspection for missing or incorrectly applied lightning-strike edge glow sealant at the upper and lower front and rear spar corner fittings (between Rib 1 and Rib 2) and corrective actions to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection. The FAA would require compliance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0155 (dated August 13, 2024) to address a risk that missing or incorrect sealant plus an adjacent incorrect fastener could create an ignition source inside a fuel tank in case of a lightning strike.
Estimated compliance costs for U.S. operators
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 36 U.S.-registered Airbus A350-941/-1041 airplanes. The FAA estimates retained actions from the prior AD cost up to $19,625 per airplane (up to $706,500 on U.S. operators), new proposed actions cost up to $3,315 per airplane (up to $119,340 on U.S. operators), and any necessary on-condition action is estimated at 10 work-hours (10 x $85 = $850) plus minimal parts cost. Labor assumptions used in these estimates are $85 per hour, with retained actions up to 225 work-hours and new actions up to 39 work-hours.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2025-04846, Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya
The FAA is extending the ban on certain flights over Libya for three more years, until March 20, 2028. This affects U.S. airlines, commercial operators, and pilots with FAA certificates flying in Libyan airspace, due to ongoing safety risks. The rule also reminds everyone how to apply for special approvals or exemptions if needed.
2025-03853, Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Correction”
The FAA is giving repair stations outside the U.S. a break by delaying enforcement of new drug and alcohol testing rules until March 20, 2025. This means affected repair stations don’t have to worry about penalties if they aren’t fully following the updated rules just yet. The delay helps everyone get ready without rushing or extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03671, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Not-Warranted Finding for the Spinytail Crayfish
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed whether the spinytail crayfish in southern Mississippi should be listed as endangered or threatened and decided it’s not needed right now. This means no new protections or costs will happen for this little crayfish at the moment. But, the public can still share new info anytime to help keep an eye on its status.
Next: 2025-03800, Implementation of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act
The FCC is checking in on the CALM Act to see if it’s doing a good job stopping those annoying super loud TV commercials. They want feedback from viewers and TV companies about how well the rules work and if streaming services should follow them too. Comments are open until April 10, 2025, so everyone can help shape the future of quieter ads without extra costs for viewers.