FAA Orders Airbus A300 Gear Swap to Prevent Cracks
Published Date: 9/22/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants all Airbus A300 series airplanes to replace certain main landing gear parts because some were made wrong and could crack. This fix will keep planes safe and stop problems before they happen. Airlines need to comment by November 6, 2026, and should expect some costs to swap out the parts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Airlines Must Replace Faulty Main Landing Gear
If you operate affected Airbus A300 airplanes, the FAA proposes you must replace any affected main landing gear (MLG) two-piece cages and limit installing affected or overhauled MLGs under certain conditions to prevent cracking that could cause structural failure during takeoff or landing. The FAA estimates the rule would affect 99 U.S.-registered airplanes and assumes one MLG replacement per airplane, at 28 work-hours × $85/hour = $2,380 labor cost per airplane (parts cost not provided), for a total estimated U.S. operator cost of $235,620. Comments on the proposed rule are due by November 6, 2026.
FAA Drops Manufacturer Reporting Requirement
The FAA's proposed AD does not include the reporting requirement found in the referenced EASA AD that would have required operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer. That means operators will not have to send those specified reports to the manufacturer as part of complying with this FAA AD.
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