FAA Expands Airbus A350 Oxygen Tank Safety Inspections
Published Date: 4/29/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for certain Airbus A350 airplanes to include more planes that might have a problem with their oxygen containers. They’re asking for inspections and fixes to keep everyone safe. Comments on this proposal are open until June 13, 2025, and airlines should be ready for these changes soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Passenger oxygen-mask safety improved
This proposed rule would require inspections and fixes of the oxygen containers and adjacent panels in certain Airbus A350-941 and -1041 airplanes to make sure fasteners are locked and there is enough clearance for the oxygen container to open. The AD aims to prevent the oxygen masks from failing to deploy in an in‑flight decompression, which could otherwise cause injury to cabin occupants.
Airlines must inspect/repair 19 U.S. A350s — cost
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would apply to 19 U.S.-registered A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The retained and new inspection actions are estimated at 4 work-hours each (4 x $85/hour = $340) per airplane (totaling $5,440 for 16 airplanes and $1,020 for 3 airplanes), and any on-condition action is estimated at 1 work-hour ($85) plus parts.
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