Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22046 · Equipment/furnishings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2023-14-05. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -251N, and -271N airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0166, dated July 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0166).
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -251N, and -271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that damaged seat rail covers were detected in the forward and aft seat fixation area of some airplanes during initial delivery. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the affected passenger seats and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 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 2021-0166.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0166 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0166 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0166 specifies actions if “discrepancies are detected,” for this AD a discrepancy is an out-of-tolerance distance between the forward and aft attachment screws or a damaged (deformed or compressed) seat rail cover.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0166 allows deferral of certain actions “in accordance with the applicable instructions and limitations of Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) item 25-20-01A,” for this AD use “in accordance with the applicable instructions and limitations of FAA MMEL item 25-21-01 or equivalent instructions and limitations in the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL).”
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0166 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
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.
Aircraft
