EASA AD 2025-0093
Landing Gear — Nose Landing Gear Shock Absorber — Functional Check
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0093 is an airworthiness directive affecting Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It mandates functional checks of the nose landing gear (NLG) shock absorber sliding piston assemblies with specific part numbers to address potential mechanical noise and corrosion issues. The directive applies to certain NLG piston assemblies identified by part numbers 6407A2000-01, 6407A2000-02, 6407A2000-03, 5035A3200-01, and 5035A3200-02.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2024-0188 and introduces additional applicability by including an extra NLG part number (P/N 6406Bxxxx) affected by the issue. It retains the previous inspection and corrective action requirements while adding specific provisions for Group 3 aeroplanes equipped with the newly identified affected parts. The Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A32P031-24 has been updated to Revision 04 to reflect these changes.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a safety concern involving potential structural failure of the nose landing gear due to increased friction and corrosion. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to prevent landing gear collapse, which could cause aircraft damage and occupant injury. Timely inspections and corrective actions are essential to maintain aircraft airworthiness and operational safety.
What To Do
Operators of affected Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must perform repetitive steering checks of the nose landing gear sliding piston assemblies as specified in the directive, with initial checks due before specified flight cycle thresholds or within defined calendar times. Any discrepancies found during inspections must be corrected before further flight according to Airbus instructions. Installation of affected parts is permitted only if followed by an immediate functional check and corrective action if needed, while installation of affected parts on Group 4 aeroplanes is prohibited.