EASA AD No.

: 2021-0018

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2021-0018
Issued: 15 January 2021
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EU) 2018/1139 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 129 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 71 exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

Effective Date: 29 January 2021

ATA 52 – Doors – Passenger Door Guide Arms – Replacement / Inspection

Manufacturer(s):
Airbus

Applicability:
Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Definitions:
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

The SB: Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A350-52-P050.

Affected part: Passenger door damper emergency opening actuators (DEOA), having Part Number
FE396001001.

Door emergency opening: Any door opening with the door in the armed condition.

Reason:
An occurrence was reported where, following a passenger door emergency opening test, a broken
forward guide arm was found. Investigation results indicated that the opening speed of the door
was higher than expected, most probably caused by a reduced damping due to oil leakage of the
passenger door DEOA.

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This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of a passenger door to perform
its intended function during an emergency opening, possibly resulting in reduced evacuation
capacity from the aeroplane and injury to occupants.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the SB to provide replacement and
inspection instructions of the passenger door guide arms and support brackets.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires replacement of forward and aft guide arms after
a door emergency opening with an affected part installed, and a detailed inspection (DET) of the
forward and aft guide arm support brackets on that door.

This AD is considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Replacement:
(1) For aeroplanes on which an emergency opening of a door with an affected part installed, has
been performed before the effective date of this AD: Within 4 months after the effective date
of this AD, replace forward and aft guide arms on that door in accordance with the instructions
of the SB.

(2) For aeroplanes on which an emergency opening of a door with an affected part installed, is
performed after the effective date of this AD: Within 15 days after the emergency opening of
that door, replace forward and aft guide arms on that door in accordance with the instructions
of the SB.

Inspection:
(3) Concurrently with the replacement as required by paragraph (1) or (2) of this AD on a door,
accomplish a DET of the forward and aft guide arm support brackets on that door in accordance
with the instructions of the SB.

Corrective Action(s):
(4) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (3) of this AD, any damage is detected within
the limits defined in the SB, before next flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) in
accordance with the instructions of the SB.

(5) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (3) of this AD, any damage is detected beyond
the limits defined in the SB, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved instructions and,
within the compliance time(s) as specified in those instructions, accomplish those instructions
accordingly.

Part Installation:
(6) From the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install an affected part, on any aeroplane,
provided that, thereafter, following an emergency opening of that door, the actions as required
by paragraphs (2) to (5) of this AD, as applicable, are accomplished on that door.

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 EASA AD No.: 2021-0018

Ref. Publications:
Airbus SB A350-52-P050 original issue dated 15 December 2020.

The use of later approved revisions of the above-mentioned document is acceptable for compliance
with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 22 December 2020 as PAD 20-208 for consultation until 05 January
2021. The Comment Response Document can be found in the EASA Safety Publications Tool, in
the compressed (zipped) file attached to the record for this AD.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: [email protected].

4. Information about any failures, malfunctions, defects or other occurrences, which may be
similar to the unsafe condition addressed by this AD, and which may occur, or have occurred on
a product, part or appliance not affected by this AD, can be reported to the EU aviation safety
reporting system. This may include reporting on the same or similar components, other than
those covered by the design to which this AD applies, if the same unsafe condition can exist or
may develop on an aircraft with those components installed. Such components may be
installed under an FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) or other modification.

5. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: AIRBUS A350 XWB, E-mail: [email protected].

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