The Airworthiness Directive (AD) :
FAA issues Airworthiness Directive (AD) - 2021-03-08 on certain Airbus A350-941 and -1041 aircrafts for Bushing migration of horizontal tail plane (HTP) lateral load fittings (LLFs), that can reduce the controllability of the aircraft.
Background of the AD :
This AD was prompted by reports of migration of the bushings of the horizontal tail plane (HTP) lateral load fittings (LLFs) on the left- and right-hand sides during flight test. The FAA is issuing this AD to address combined corrosion and fatigue damage of the primary structure, possibly resulting in failure of an HTP LLF and damage to adjacent structure, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
Effectivity :
This AD is effective on April 30, 2021.
Regulatory Reference :
This FAA AD has reference to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0139R1, dated July 3, 2020.
Compliance :
Refer to EASA AD 2020-0139R1, the compliance is repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of the affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
This AD also provides a modification as optional terminating action for the repetitive DET.
Compliance Interval of the detailed inspections (DET) :
| Aeroplanes | Compliance Time (since Airbus date of manufacture) | Interval |
| A350-941 | Within 6 years | 6 years |
| A350-1041 | Before exceeding 5 500 flight cycles (FC), 22 900 flight hours (FH), or 6 years, whichever occurs first | 5 500 FC, 22 900 FH or 6 years, whichever occurs first |
Corrective & Terminating Action :
For corrective or terminating actions, Airbus Service Bulletin SB A350-55-P013 & SB A350-55-P012 has been advised.
