Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21162 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes, Model A319 series airplanes, Model A320 series airplanes, and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) torque link apex pin rupture in service. This AD requires replacement of certain MLG torque link apex pins and, for certain other pins, a one-time magnetic particle inspection (MPI) for cracking, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020- 0130, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0130.
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0130 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0130 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0130 specifies a parts installation limitation, for this AD, comply with paragraph (j) of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2020-0130 specifies to comply with “the instructions of the AOT,” this AD requires compliance with the procedures marked as “RC” (required for compliance) in the Alert Operators Transmission (AOT).
(5) Where step 3.B.(3) of the service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0130 states to do an inspection of the component interfaces and the adjacent area, if any damage (not in the correct condition) is found by the inspection, this AD requires repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD.
(6) The table header on the first page of Appendix 4 of the service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0130 is not aligned with the proper columns. The left-hand column is the part number of the affected MLG torque link apex pin, the center column is the serial number, and the right-hand column is the airplane's manufacturer serial number.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0130 specifies to submit certain information and return affected parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an affected part as defined in EASA AD 2020-0130 on any airplane unless that part meets the criteria of a serviceable part as specified in EASA AD 2020-0130.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
