Flight Controls — Primary Flight Control System — Modification
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Operators must replace affected FCRMs within specified deadlines, rectify any hydraulic leaks before next flight, and prohibit swapping certain FCRMs. They must install the mandated Flight Control and Guidance System software standards within three months after 19 September 2025 and comply with concurrent modification service bulletins. Installation of earlier software versions is prohibited after modification, and alternative compliance methods with later software versions are allowed if approved.
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2025-0197R1 is a regulatory update addressing the primary flight control system modification for Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It focuses on the replacement and modification of Rudder and Elevator Flight Control Remote Modules (FCRMs) contaminated by hydraulic fluid and mandates the installation of updated Flight Control and Guidance System software standards. This directive ensures continued airworthiness by mitigating risks of flight control surface runaway due to hydraulic contamination.
What changed
This revision clarifies the required Flight Control and Guidance System software standards as PRIM P14.1.3 and SEC S14.1.2 and prohibits installation of earlier software versions on Group 2 aeroplanes after modification. It retains previous requirements for FCRM replacement and hydraulic leak rectification while introducing a modification that permanently eliminates the unsafe condition. The directive also provides credit for prior compliance and allows alternative methods of compliance with later approved software standards.
Why it matters
This directive is critical for operators and maintenance organizations to prevent potential loss of control caused by hydraulic fluid contamination in flight control modules. Compliance ensures the safety and reliability of Airbus A350 primary flight controls, reducing the risk of in-flight control surface malfunctions. It also affects maintenance planning and software update schedules, requiring close attention to part eligibility and software version control.
More for Airbus A350
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- EASA AD 2026-0177R1Indicating / Recording Systems – Integrated Control Panels – InspectionOct 15, 2026
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