FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directive for Airbus A350 Galleys

Content

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of fractured lower attachment studs on certain galleys. This proposed AD would require
a detailed inspection of all affected lower attachment studs on affected galleys installed forward of door 4 and applicable
corrective actions, replacement of all affected lower attachment studs on all affected galleys, and reidentification of affected
galleys. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 1, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: 202-493-2251.

• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2713; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer
3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2713.

• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Younglove, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3644; email Andrew.E.Younglove@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a
method listed under the
ADDRESSES
section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2026-2713; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00708-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those
comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described
in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact
received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this
NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private,
and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI.
Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Andrew Younglove, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3644; email Andrew.E.Younglove@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0089, dated April
24, 2025; corrected June 2, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0089) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The MCAI states that occurrences have been reported of fractured lower attachment
studs on certain galleys installed forward of door 4. Further investigation results indicated that the fractured lower attachment
studs resulted from a hydrogen-induced failure. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to galley module detachment,
with consequent injury to airplane occupants, and could possibly result in reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane in
case of an emergency.

The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2713.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2025-0089 specifies a detailed inspection for fractures of certain lower attachment studs on affected galleys installed
forward of door 4 and replacement of fractured lower attachment studs, as applicable. EASA AD 2025-0089 also specifies replacement
of all affected lower attachment studs on all affected galleys and reidentification of affected galleys

  and specifies that replacement of all affected lower attachment studs on all affected galleys constitutes an acceptable alternative
  method to comply with the detailed inspection. EASA 2025-0089 also prohibits the installation of affected lower attachment
  studs on any airplane.

This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business
or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES
section.

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the
United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified
the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2025-0089 described previously, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA
has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2025-0089
by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0089 in its entirety
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0089 does not mean that operators
need to comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance
times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)”
in EASA AD 2025-0089. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0089 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-2713 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 13 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S.
operators |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Up to 55 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,675 | Up to $44,536 | Up to $49,211 | Up to $639,743. |
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs
of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106,
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the
Agency's authority.

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by
prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed
AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Airbus SAS:
Docket No. FAA-2026-2713; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00708-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by May 1, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD

  2025-0089, dated April 24, 2025; corrected June 2, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0089).

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of fractured lower attachment studs on certain galleys installed forward of door 4. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address fractured lower attachment studs on galleys installed forward of door 4. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could lead to galley module detachment, with consequent injury to airplane occupants, and could possibly
result in reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane in case of an emergency.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Requirements

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0089.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0089

(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0089 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of EASA AD 2025-0089 specify “in accordance with approved instructions issued by Airbus
DOA”, this AD requires replacing that text with “in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational
Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature”.

(3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0089.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector
or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of AIR-520, Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method
approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved
by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0089 contains paragraphs that
are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply
with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended.
The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, not identified as RC may be deviated from
using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an
AMOC, provided the instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Andrew Younglove, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3644; email Andrew.E.Younglove@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0089, dated April 24, 2025; corrected June 2, 2025.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.

Issued on March 12, 2026. Lona C. Saccomando, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-05223 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Download File

Download