FAA Forces Airlines to Replace Faulty Airbus Hydraulic Parts
Published Date: 11/25/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly or work with certain Airbus A350-1041 planes, listen up! The FAA is updating rules to replace old hydro-mechanical units (HMUs) with improved ones to keep flights safe. These changes kick in December 10, 2025, and could mean some maintenance costs but way better safety for everyone on board.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
A350 HMU Replacement Required
If you own or operate Airbus A350-1041 airplanes with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, this rule requires replacing hydro-mechanical units (HMUs) having part number G5020HMU02 with improved HMUs having part number G5020HMU03 (or later approved P/Ns). The AD also prohibits re-installing affected HMUs under certain conditions to address stuck combining spill valve pistons that caused rejected takeoffs. This AD is effective December 10, 2025.
Estimated Labor Costs for Compliance
The FAA estimates labor to comply if an affected airplane is put on the U.S. register: retained actions may require up to 7 work-hours at $85/hour (up to $595) and the new actions up to 2 work-hours at $85/hour (up to $170). The FAA states it has no definitive data for parts costs. Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes, so these estimates apply if one is imported and registered in the future.
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Key Dates
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