FAA: Inspect Old Airbus Gear for Sneaky Cracks
Published Date: 3/12/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants certain Airbus A300 planes checked for cracks in the main landing gear support because some fixes were done wrong. They’re asking owners to inspect and fix these parts to keep flights safe. Comments on this plan are open until April 28, 2025, and the inspections might cost some time and money but will prevent bigger problems.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated compliance cost to U.S. operators
The FAA estimates the inspection would take 137 work-hours at $85 per hour, totaling $11,645 per airplane, affecting 128 U.S.-registered airplanes and totaling $1,490,560 for U.S. operators. The FAA states it has no definitive data for the cost of any on-condition repairs that may also be required.
Mandatory inspections and fixes for Airbus A300s
The FAA proposes a new rule that would require a one-time special geometrical inspection of the main landing gear (MLG) rib 5 lower flange holes on the left and right wings of certain Airbus A300 models, and repair if necessary, in accordance with EASA AD 2024-0162. This proposal applies to the listed A300 models and is intended to address cracking caused by incorrect modification instructions.
Some A300 variants are excluded from this AD
The proposed AD does not apply to A300 C4-203, A300 F4-203, A300 C4-620, and A300 F4-608ST airplanes because those models are not certificated by the FAA and are not on the U.S. type certificate data sheet. Owners of those specific variants in the U.S. are not subject to this proposed AD.
FAA does not require reporting to manufacturer
Although EASA AD 2024-0162 specifies submitting certain information to the manufacturer, this FAA proposed AD explicitly does not include that reporting requirement. Operators would not be required by this FAA AD to send the specified information to the manufacturer.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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