FAA Updates Wing Safety Rules for Certain Airbus A300 Models
Published Date: 12/9/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain Airbus A300 airplanes to keep them flying safely. They’re expanding the list of planes that need wing inspections and possible fixes, while removing some that don’t need it anymore. These changes kick in on January 13, 2026, and help prevent wing problems without causing big costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Airbus A300 wing inspections required
If you operate certain Airbus A300 airplanes, you must inspect the upper wing skin and top stringer joints at rib 18 and modify the stringer joint couplings if needed. The rule adds more A300 models to the list, requires oversizing fastener holes and a special (roto-probe) inspection for cracking, and is effective January 13, 2026.
Estimated compliance cost per airplane
The FAA estimates this AD affects 119 U.S.-registered airplanes. The retained actions cost an estimated 38 work-hours at $85/hour ($3,230) plus $9,540 in parts, for a total of $12,770 per airplane and $1,519,630 for U.S. operators.
Previously approved AMOCs remain valid
The FAA allows Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) that were approved for AD 2017-23-04 to be used for the corresponding provisions of this AD, so operators do not have to get new AMOC approvals for those items.
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