Airbus A330s Face New Software Safety Mandates
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly or maintain Airbus A330-841 and -941 planes, listen up! The FAA wants to update safety rules by requiring software updates and new checks on engine parts to keep flights safe. These changes replace some old fixes and must be done soon, but they’ll help avoid costly problems down the line.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Inspections, Tests, and Maintenance Requirements
The proposed AD retains requirements for seal-integrity tests of each engine bleed air system (EBAS) high pressure valve (HPV), borescope inspections to check for foreign object debris and damage, and corrective maintenance actions including HPV, PRV, and wing bellow replacement as applicable. For some airplanes the AD requires repetitive HPV seal tests until a terminating action (such as a specified software update or HPV modification) is done.
FAA Cost Estimates for Compliance
The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 22 U.S.-registered airplanes. Estimated costs include up to $28,666 per airplane for retained actions from the prior AD, $949 per airplane for the software update and related work for Groups 1 and 2, $170 per airplane for Group 3 additional work, up to $116,357 per airplane for possible on-condition repairs, and an optional modification cost of $97,790 per airplane.
Which Aircraft Are Covered
This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes certificated in any category. If you operate or maintain any of these 22 U.S.-registered airplanes, the AD's requirements would apply to your airplane and you may need to perform the listed actions.
Required BMC Software Update and Prohibitions
The proposed AD would require updating the bleed monitoring computer (BMC) software to SW 5.0 on affected airplanes that currently have BMC SW 4.0 or 4.1, and it would prohibit installing BMC SW 4.0 or 4.1 on certain airplane groups or after the update. The MCAI also prohibits installation of an affected HPV on Group 4 airplanes.
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