AD 2021-10-12 Required Revising The Existing AFM To Define A Liquid-Prohibited Zone On The Flight Deck

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-09-14, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes.

AD 2020-09-14 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to define a liquid-prohibited zone on the flight deck and provide procedures following liquid spillage on the center pedestal. AD 2020-09-14 also required installing a removable integrated control panel (ICP) cover on the flight deck and further revising the AFM to include instructions for ICP cover use. This AD requires installing a new, water-resistant ICP,  which allows removing the ICP protective cover and the AFM revisions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by development of a new, water-resistant ICP. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective July 29, 2021.

Supplementary Information: EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has  issued EASA AD 2020-0203, dated September 23, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0203) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-09-14, Amendment 39-19910 (85 FR 30601, May 20, 2020) (AD 2020-09-14). AD 2020-09-14 applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2021 (86 FR 10493). The NPRM was prompted by a new, water-resistant ICP developed by the manufacturer to address the identified unsafe condition.

The NPRM proposed to continue to require revising the existing AFM to define a liquid-prohibited zone on the flight deck and provide procedures following liquid spillage on the center pedestal. The NPRM also proposed to continue to require installing a removable ICP cover on the flight deck and further revising the AFM to include instructions for ICP cover use, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0203. The NPRM also proposed to require installing a new, water-resistant ICP, which would allow removing the ICP protective cover and the AFM revisions, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0203.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address the potential for dual-engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD), possibly resulting in a forced landing with consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants. See the MCAI for additional background information.

FMI: www.regulations.gov