Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21709 · Hydraulic power
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-23-05. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A319-171N; Model A320-271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-271N, -272N, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0177, dated July 23, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0177).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-171N; Model A320-271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-271N, -272N, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that during inspection of the engines, two original rods installed to maintain an interface plate between the pylon and nacelle were found damaged at both rod-eye ends. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the pylon/engine interface rods for damage, and applicable corrective actions, and limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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 2021-0177.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0177 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0177 specifies a compliance time for the initial detailed inspection for Group 2 airplanes, this AD requires initial compliance at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD. Remaining provisions of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0177 that are not specifically referenced in this paragraph remain fully applicable and must be complied with.
(i) Before exceeding 750 total flight hours, but no earlier than 650 total flight hours, since either manufacture of the airplane or embodiment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1189, as applicable.
(ii) Within 750 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0177 does not apply to this AD.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0177 that contains RC procedures and tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
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.
