FAA Proposes Two Airworthiness Directives for Airbus A318–A321 and A330/A340 Fleets

Nose Landing Gear Cracking: A318–A321 Series

The FAA proposes a new airworthiness directive (AD) covering all Airbus SAS Model A318 series, A319 series, A320 series, and specified A321 variant airplanes — including the -111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX — under Docket No. FAA-2026-8779, affecting regulations at 14 CFR 39.

The proposed AD was prompted by reported occurrences of a certain nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube exhibiting widespread overheat damage and multiple cracks on the base metal during shop visits. According to the document, investigation revealed that the damage resulted from overheat that occurred during the chrome grinding phase of manufacturing. The FAA states that this condition, if not addressed, could induce multiple cracks on the entire sliding tube, which could result in failure of the NLG.

To address the unsafe condition, the proposed rule would require operators to perform a special detailed inspection (SDI) of the affected NLG sliding tube for discrepancies — defined in the source document as indications including base metal near-surface defects or base metal defects under chrome plate, including cracking and burn marks — and replacement of affected parts, either by replacing the NLG sliding tube or the NLG shock absorber, as applicable. The proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts and any higher assembly having an affected part installed.

The FAA explains that EASA, as the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2025-0258, dated November 21, 2025, to address the same unsafe condition. The FAA notes that Model A320-215 airplanes, which are covered by the EASA action, are not certificated by the FAA and are therefore not included in the U.S. proposed AD's applicability.

Fuel Valve Leaks: A330 and A340 Series

A separate proposed AD, filed under Docket No. FAA-2026-8780, targets all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A330-841, and A330-941 airplanes, as well as Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes, also under 14 CFR 39.

This proposed AD was prompted by reported occurrences of leaks on closed fuel low pressure shut-off valves (LPSOVs) due to the LPSOV failing to seal. The document states that, depending on the amount of a fuel leak, an LPSOV leak could sustain a fire, and that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the inability to extinguish a fire and result in significant damage to airplane structure or systems.

The proposed rule would require repetitive leak checks of certain fuel LPSOVs to confirm that each LPSOV isolates the fuel supply to the associated engine, and replacement of an affected part if any discrepancy — such as any leak — is found. The proposed AD would also allow the installation of an affected part under certain conditions. The underlying EASA action is EASA AD 2026-0060R1, dated June 9, 2026. The FAA notes that Model A330-743L, A340-542, and A340-643 airplanes, which appear in the EASA action, are not certificated by the FAA and are not included in the U.S. proposed AD.

Basis for Both Actions

In both cases, the FAA states that the affected products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States, and that pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, that authority notified the FAA of the respective unsafe conditions. The FAA states in each proposed AD that it is acting after determining that the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

What to Watch

The FAA must receive comments on both proposed ADs by September 28, 2026. Comments for the NLG sliding tube AD should reference Docket No. FAA-2026-8779; comments for the fuel LPSOV AD should reference Docket No. FAA-2026-8780. Both dockets are accessible at regulations.gov. The FAA states it will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend each proposal as a result.

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