FAA mandates Airbus A350 leak inspections for safety
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is rolling out new safety rules for all Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 planes because some parts got damaged from air leaks. Pilots and maintenance crews will need to regularly check for leaks, inspect damaged parts, and replace faulty equipment if needed. These checks start 35 days after the rule is published, helping keep flights safe without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory PCE leak tests and repairs
If you operate an Airbus A350-941 or A350-1041, you must perform repetitive air-leak tests of the pre-cooler exchanger (PCE), inspect thrust-reverser and pylon thermal blankets for damage, and replace the PCE or damaged blankets as required by EASA AD 2024-0058R2. This AD is effective April 22, 2025, and the actions must be done in the compliance times specified in that incorporated EASA AD.
Estimated compliance and on-condition costs
The FAA estimates the AD affects 32 U.S.-registered A350 airplanes. The required leak-test action is estimated at 3 work-hours (3 x $85/hour = $255) per airplane. On-condition actions (if replacement/repair is needed) are estimated up to 24 work-hours ($2,040) plus parts up to $18,844, for a maximum of up to $20,884 per airplane.
Compliance timing: flight-cycle limits
The initial PCE leak test must be accomplished before 5,500 flight cycles since new, and thereafter leak tests must be done at intervals not greater than 100 flight cycles. These timing rules determine when you must schedule inspections and influence maintenance planning and aircraft availability.
Reporting deadlines for test data
You must report PCE air-leak test results (except SAR017 data) within 30 days after the test if done on or after April 22, 2025 (or within 30 days after April 22, 2025 if the test was done earlier). SAR017 (smart aircraft condition monitoring) data must be submitted within 6 months after completion of each air leak test and corrective actions, or within 6 months after April 22, 2025 if the test was done earlier.
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