Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Published Date: 11/25/2025
Rule
Summary
If you own or operate certain Airbus A350 airplanes, the FAA has updated safety rules to keep you flying safe. You’ll need to inspect specific wing parts for missing or wrong sealant and fix any issues found. These checks must be done by December 30, 2025, helping prevent lightning damage without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory A350 wing sealant inspections
If you own or operate Airbus A350-941 or A350-1041 airplanes listed in the referenced service bulletins, you must perform inspections for missing or incorrectly applied lightning-strike sealant in wing tanks and do required fixes, including a one-time detailed inspection of front and rear spar corner fittings between Rib 1 and Rib 2. These requirements continue and expand on AD 2023-14-09 and the AD is effective December 30, 2025.
FAA cost estimates for U.S. operators
The FAA estimates this AD affects 36 U.S.-registered A350 airplanes. Estimated costs include retained actions up to 225 work-hours at $85/hour (up to $19,125) plus up to $500 parts (cost per airplane up to $19,625; total up to $706,500), new actions up to 39 work-hours at $85/hour ($3,315 per airplane; total up to $119,340), and potential corrective actions estimated at 10 work-hours ($850 per airplane). The FAA notes some costs may be covered by warranty.
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