EASA AD 2021-0161
Landing Gear — Master Minimum Equipment List — Landing Gear Control — Amendment
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0161 is an amendment addressing the landing gear control system on Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It mandates updates to the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) related to the landing gear control to mitigate a specific failure scenario in the landing gear extension and retraction system software. This directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of the affected Airbus A350 models.
What Changed
This directive introduces an update to the Airbus A350 MMEL item 32-31-01A, approved by EASA on 8 April 2021, which adds a new maintenance task to address a failure scenario where a discrete wire failure could prevent landing gear retraction. The update requires operators to amend their Minimum Equipment List (MEL) accordingly to incorporate this change.
Why It Matters
The update is critical because the identified failure could, combined with one-engine inoperative conditions at take-off, reduce flight path clearance and potentially cause damage to the aircraft or injury to occupants. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and operational safety by preventing this unsafe condition. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must integrate these changes to meet regulatory requirements and maintain safe operations.
What To Do
Operators of Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must amend their MEL based on the updated MMEL within three months of the effective date, inform all flight crews of the changes, and operate the aircraft accordingly. The effective date of this directive is 20 July 2021, making the compliance deadline 20 October 2021.
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