EASA SIB 2025-08
Failure of the Digital Radio and Audio Integrated Management System on the Airbus A320 NEO and A330 Family Aeroplanes
Summary
The EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2025-08 addresses failures of the Digital Radio and Audio Integrated Management System (DRAIMS) on Airbus A320 NEO and A330 family aeroplanes. These failures can cause partial or total loss of radio communications, transponder, and Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) functionality, impacting flight safety and Air Traffic Control operations. The bulletin raises awareness of these issues and provides information on temporary procedures and ongoing software modifications.
What Changed
This bulletin introduces awareness of the DRAIMS failure risks and outlines temporary procedures mandated by EASA Airworthiness Directives 2025-0118R1 and 2025-0043R1 to mitigate communication and surveillance losses. It also informs stakeholders about a forthcoming software modification designed to prevent these failures and improve system reliability.
Why It Matters
Understanding DRAIMS failures is critical for operators, maintenance teams, and air traffic controllers because such failures can unpredictably degrade multiple communication and navigation systems, complicating flight operations and ATC safety management. The bulletin highlights the need for enhanced monitoring of emergency frequencies and contingency planning to maintain safety during these failures.
What To Do
Air Navigation Service Providers should review and adapt procedures, training, and contingency plans to manage potential DRAIMS failures, including coordination with military ATS units and maintaining a listening watch on 121.500 MHz. Operators of affected Airbus A320 NEO and A330 aircraft must inform flight crews about the risks, reinforce emergency frequency monitoring, and report any DRAIMS failures per Regulation (EU) 376/2014. Compliance with temporary AFM amendments mandated by EASA ADs 2025-0118R1 and 2025-0043R1 is required until software updates are installed.