EASA AD 2021-0061
Indicating / Recording Systems — Flight Warning System — Modification; Aircraft Flight Manual — Ram Air Turbine Performance — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0061 is an airworthiness directive issued by EASA affecting Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes, excluding those with Airbus modification 116544 incorporated in production. The directive addresses modifications to the flight warning system and amendments to the aircraft flight manual concerning ram air turbine performance. It mandates software updates and flight manual revisions to mitigate risks associated with ram air turbine performance during emergency conditions.
What Changed
This directive requires installation of Airbus temporary quick change V3 for flight warning system software standard 6/2.0 and incorporation of specific Airbus Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revisions 126 or 127. These changes improve electronic centralized aircraft monitoring and mitigate the impact on ram air turbine performance when the auxiliary power unit bleed is on during total engine flame out or electrical emergency configurations.
Why It Matters
The directive addresses a safety concern where the ram air turbine's electrical power generation could be partially or totally lost when deployed with the landing gear extended, potentially reducing aircraft control. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and safe operation during emergency scenarios, which is critical for operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams to prevent in-flight power loss and maintain regulatory conformity.
What To Do
Operators must amend the applicable Airbus A350 Airplane Flight Manual by incorporating the specified temporary revisions within 90 days of the directive's effective date and inform all flight crews. Additionally, within 8 months, the flight warning system software must be updated by installing the Airbus temporary quick change V3 as per the Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P040 instructions. Compliance with these actions is mandatory unless previously accomplished.
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