Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22003 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-25-05. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
(1) All Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) All Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) All Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) All 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, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the detection of several channel failures on a newly developed braking and steering control unit (BSCU). This AD requires replacing affected BSCUs and revising the operator's existing FAA- approved minimum equipment list (MEL), as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also limits the installation of affected parts. 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 2022-0032, dated March 3, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0032).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0032 defines “the AOT” as “Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A32N025-22 [undated],” this AD requires using Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A32N025-22, Rev 00, dated February 24, 2022, including Appendixes 1 through 4, dated February 21, 2022.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0032 specifies replacement of affected parts, replace the affected part in accordance with the “Remove and replace BSCU P/N E21327307” step in paragraph 5.6., “Instructions,” of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A32N025-22, Rev 00, dated February 24, 2022, including Appendixes 1 through 4, dated February 21, 2022. No other actions in Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A32N025-22, Rev 00, dated February 24, 2022, including Appendixes 1 through 4, dated February 21, 2022, are required for compliance for the replacement.
(3) Where EASA AD 2022-0032 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0032 requires operators to “implement the instructions of the MMEL [master minimum equipment list] update,” this AD requires revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) with the provisions specified in “The MMEL update” as identified in EASA AD 2022-0032.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0032 specifies to “inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly,” this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0032 does not apply to this AD.
Although Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A32N025-22, Rev 00, dated February 24, 2022, including Appendixes 1 through 4, dated February 21, 2022, specifies to report certain information and send affected parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those actions.
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.
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.
