FAA Targets Airbus Radio Bugs: Planes Get Software Patch Proposal
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for certain Airbus A319, A320, and A321 planes to fix a radio system glitch that could cause problems during flights. They’re adding a software fix and including more plane models, plus stopping old parts from being used. Airlines need to comment by May 28, 2026, and expect some costs to update their planes but keep flying safe and sound!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Required DRAIMS Software Upgrade
If you operate the listed Airbus A319/A320/A321 airplanes, you must upgrade the DRAIMS to the software L4.3 standard. The FAA estimates the new modification costs $595 labor plus $774 parts = $1,369 per airplane, and estimates a total U.S. cost of $744,736 to modify 544 U.S.-registered airplanes. Completing this modification also terminates the AFM revision requirement for affected airplanes.
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision
Operators of the specified Airbus models must revise the Emergency Procedures section of the AFM to add the specified procedures. For many models this revision had to be done within 7 days after June 11, 2025; for Model A321-271NY Group 1 airplanes the revision must be done within 7 days after the effective date of this AD. The FAA estimates the retained AFM revision work is 1 hour at $85 per airplane, totaling $85 per airplane and $46,240 for the U.S. fleet of 544 airplanes.
Prohibition on Installing Affected Parts
The proposed AD prohibits installation of the affected parts identified in the incorporated EASA AD 2025-0118R1. This restriction applies to operators and maintenance providers for the listed Airbus models and is part of the FAA's required actions to address the RMP/DRAIMS unsafe condition.
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Key Dates
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