Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21968 · Equipment/furnishings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-05-14. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
(1) Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-25- 11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and - 122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2013-25-11 required repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, upper fittings, and shelves for damage, repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower central support for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2013-25-11 also specified optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2013-25-11, new damage occurrences have been reported, and a different compliance time has been determined for certain inspections, depending on airplane configuration. This AD expands the applicability, removes the optional terminating action, and requires new repetitive inspections; 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0172, dated July 20, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0172).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0172 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The remarks section of EASA AD 2021-0172 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0172 specifies “any discrepancy,” for this AD “any discrepancy” includes broken fittings, missing bolts, an electronics rack FIN 80VU that is in contact with structure, any bush that has migrated, burred material, and cracks.
Accomplishing inspections and correctives actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instruction of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1BKJ, Revision 02, dated April 9, 2020, with corrections referenced in the Airbus Technical Adaptation 80827186/024/2020, Issue 1, dated September 18, 2020, is an acceptable method of compliance for the inspections and corrective actions specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of EASA AD 2021-0172.
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 (k) 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): Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 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.
