FAA Expands Airbus Safety Checks on Aging Parts
Published Date: 5/26/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for many Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes to fix a potential safety problem with certain parts. This update expands which parts are affected and applies to more planes, so operators need to check and possibly fix these parts soon. Comments on these changes are open until July 10, 2026, and following the new rules might cost some time and money but will keep flights safer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Compliance Costs to U.S. Operators
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 1,933 U.S.-registered airplanes. Estimated costs: inspections retained from AD 2024-25-06 are 2 work-hours at $85/hour = $170 per inspection (estimated $328,610 per inspection cycle across U.S. operators). Replacement of an MLG door actuator is estimated at 3 work-hours ($255) plus $9,324 parts = $9,579 per product (aggregate $18,516,207). The FAA also lists an on-condition replacement estimate of 7 work-hours ($255) plus $9,324 parts = $9,919 per product.
Required Inspections and Replacements
The FAA proposes an airworthiness directive requiring repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) door actuators and replacement of affected parts on many Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 models to address jamming or incorrect assembly. The rule would incorporate EASA AD 2025-0158R1 procedures (dated September 12, 2025) and would prohibit installation of affected parts; compliance must follow the AD’s specified compliance times.
Prohibition on Installing Affected Parts
The proposed AD (via incorporation of EASA AD 2025-0158R1) explicitly prohibits installation of affected MLG door actuators. Operators and maintenance providers may not install any actuator identified as an affected part and must instead install serviceable actuators eligible for installation.
Expanded Aircraft and Part Scope
The proposed AD expands applicability and affected part serial numbers to include additional airplanes, explicitly adding Airbus Model A319-173N and A321-271NY and expanding the list of affected serial numbers. Operators of these newly included models must now follow the inspections and replacement rules in EASA AD 2025-0158R1.
No FAA Reporting or Return-of-Parts Requirement
Although EASA AD 2025-0158R1 asks for submission of certain information and return of removed parts to the manufacturer, this FAA proposed AD explicitly does not include any requirement to report or send removed parts to the manufacturer. Operators therefore would not be required by this AD to submit that information or return parts.
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Key Dates
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