Airbus Piccolo Tubes Cracking: FAA Demands Fixes Now
Published Date: 9/17/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked and broken restraint brackets of the anti-ice piccolo tube found during maintenance on certain nacelle inlet cowls. This AD requires, for certain affected parts, modification of the affected part, and for certain other affected parts, repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) for discrepancies and, depending on findings, modification of the affected part. This AD also prohibits a certain repair on any affected part and limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Required inspections, mods, and part limits
If you operate Airbus A330-243/243F/341/342/343 airplanes, you must follow required repetitive special detailed inspections (borescope SDIs) and, for certain parts, modify the nacelle inlet cowl parts as specified in EASA AD 2025-0164. The AD also prohibits repair FRSZ026 on any affected part and limits installing affected parts under specified conditions; it is effective October 22, 2026, and the FAA estimates a compliance cost up to $12,098 per airplane (labor $425 + parts up to $11,673) and a U.S. fleet cost up to $846,860 for 70 airplanes of U.S. registry.
No manufacturer reporting required
Although EASA AD 2025-0164 asked operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, the FAA AD does not include any requirement to submit that information. This change (effective October 22, 2026) removes the reporting obligation to the manufacturer that the EASA AD specified.
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