FAA Demands Checks for Rusty Toilets on High-End Airbus Planes
Published Date: 5/7/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants all Airbus A330-841 and A330-941 planes checked regularly for rusty lavatory floor parts to keep flights safe. Airlines will need to inspect these parts often and fix or replace them if needed. Comments on this plan are open until June 22, 2026, and fixing these issues might cost some time and money but will keep passengers safe and sound.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory Repetitive Inspections for A330 Lavatories
If you operate Airbus A330-841 or A330-941 airplanes, the FAA would require repetitive inspections of lavatory floor fittings for corrosion and other damage, following EASA AD 2025-0114 (dated May 15, 2025). The FAA estimates this would affect 35 U.S.-registered airplanes and cost up to 4 work-hours x $85/hour = $340 per inspection cycle per airplane.
Improves Passenger Safety by Preventing Lavatory Detachment
The FAA says corrosion on lavatory floor fittings could lead to detachment of the lavatory module, causing injury to cabin crew and passengers and reducing evacuation capacity in an emergency. Requiring inspections and corrective actions aims to prevent those safety risks on A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes.
Optional Part Replacement Ends Inspections
Operators may choose to replace each affected lavatory floor fitting as an optional terminating action and reidentify the lavatory to stop repetitive inspections, per EASA AD 2025-0114. The FAA estimates an on-condition replacement at 2 work-hours x $85/hour = $170 plus $10 parts, for an estimated $180 per lavatory.
Limits and Prohibitions on Installing Affected Parts
The proposed AD would limit installation of affected lavatory floor fittings under certain conditions for some airplanes and would prohibit installing an affected lavatory for certain airplanes, as described in EASA AD 2025-0114. Operators and maintenance providers must follow these installation limits when performing work on applicable A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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