EASA AD No.

: 2023-0051

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2023-0051
Issued: 10 March 2023
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I Part M.A.301, or
Annex Vb Part ML.A.301, as applicable, the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently,
no person may operate an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the
Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I Part M.A.303, or Annex Vb Part ML.A.303, as applicable] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry
[Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

AIRBUS S.A.S. A350 aeroplanes

Effective Date: 24 March 2023

TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.151
Foreign AD: Not applicable
Supersedure: None

ATA 52 – Doors – Main Landing Gear Doors / Axis Index Washer – Inspection

Manufacturer(s):
Airbus

Applicability:
Airbus A350-941 aeroplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) as listed in the SB, as defined in
this AD.

Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

The SB: Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A350-52-P048.

Affected part: Axis index washer on right-hand and left-hand main landing gear door (MLGD) hinge.

Aeroplane date of manufacture: The date of transfer of title (ownership) of the aeroplane upon
delivery by Airbus to the first operator, which is referenced in Airbus documentation.

Groups: Group 1 aeroplanes are those having MSN identified as “Configuration 001” in the SB.
Group 2 aeroplanes are those having MSN identified as “Configuration 002” in the SB.

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Reason:
Index washers at MLGD hinges #1 (forward) and #3 (rear) were found inverted in production on
A350-941 aeroplanes (index washer for forward fitting installed at rear fitting and vice versa).

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to reduced structural integrity of the MLGD
hinge fittings, possibly resulting in in-flight loss of a MLGD, and consequent injury to persons on the
ground.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the SB to provide inspection and
replacement instructions of the affected parts.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time detailed inspection (DET) of each
affected part and, depending on findings, replacement.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Inspection:
(1) Within the compliance time specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, accomplish a DET of
each affected part in accordance with the instructions of the SB.

Table 1 – Inspection
Group Compliance Time (since aeroplane date of manufacture)
Before exceeding 9 600 flight cycles (FC) or 46 900 flight hours (FH),
1
whichever occurs first.

2 Before exceeding 16 800 FC or 82 750 FH, whichever occurs first.

Corrective Action:
(2) If, during the DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any affected part is found not
correctly installed as specified in the SB, within 500 FC or 3 500 FH, whichever occurs first after
the DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, replace that affected part in accordance with
the instructions of the SB.

Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A350-52-P048 original issue dated 24 November 2022.

The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned document is acceptable for compliance
with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

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2. This AD was posted on 26 January 2023 as PAD 23-011 for consultation until 23 February 2023.
The Comment Response Document can be found in the EASA Safety Publications Tool, in the
compressed (zipped) file attached to the record for this AD.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: [email protected].

4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on
a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety
reporting system. This may include reporting on the same or similar components, other than
those covered by the design to which this AD applies, if the same unsafe condition can exist or
may develop on an aircraft with those components installed. Such components may be
installed under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) or other modification.

5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: AIRBUS S.A.S. A350 XWB (1IAK), E-mail: [email protected].

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