# 2026-06980: FAA Targets Airbus Antenna Checks for Safety Upgrades

2026-06980, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-04-10, effective The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06980
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-06980
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 18333
- Published: 2026-04-10
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Targets Airbus Antenna Checks for Safety Upgrades

## Summary

The FAA wants to update safety rules for lots of Airbus airplanes, including the new A321-271NY model. They’re asking airlines to keep checking certain antenna parts and stop using some parts that could cause problems. Comments are open until May 26, 2026, and these changes help keep flights safe without big costs.

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-10-12, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, - 252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A330-800 series airplanes; Model A330-900 series airplanes; Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes; and Model A380-800 series airplanes. AD 2025-10-12 requires repetitive general visual inspections of the broadband antenna adapter plate, skirt, vents, and attachment fittings, and applicable corrective actions, and limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-10-12, a new Model A321-271NY airplanes has been certified, on which the affected parts could be installed in service. This proposed AD continues to require the actions in AD 2025-10-12 and would add Model A321-271NY airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- New A321-271NY Added to AD: mixed, medium. The FAA proposes to expand the existing safety rule to add the newly certified Airbus Model A321-271NY to the list of affected airplanes. The rule would keep the same inspections and restrictions already required by AD 2025-10-12 and EASA AD 2025-0120 for the newly added model.
- Required Repetitive Inspections and Part Ban: mixed, medium. The proposed AD continues to require repetitive general visual inspections of the broadband antenna adapter plate, skirt, vents, and attachment fittings, and prohibits installing affected parts under certain conditions. These actions are intended to prevent corrosion- or crack-related in-flight det…
- Estimated Compliance and Repair Costs: cost, high. The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 8 U.S.-registered airplanes. The FAA estimates compliance labor up to 61 work-hours at $85/hour (up to $5,185 per airplane), and on-condition repairs could cost up to $14,250 per airplane; the FAA shows up to $20,740 total for groups of four airplanes…
- Mandatory Inspection Reporting Burden: cost, low. The rule would require operators to report inspection results; the Paperwork Reduction Act burden is estimated at about 1 hour per response (OMB Control Number 2120-0056), and reporting is mandatory. Reports of positive inspection results must be submitted within 30 days after the inspection (or wi…

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## Sources
- [2026-06980 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/10/2026-06980/airworthiness-directives-airbus-sas-airplanes)
- [2026-06980 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-10/pdf/2026-06980.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06980 (as of 2026-06-11).