Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22190 · Airbus SAS Airplanes
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0165, dated August 9, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0165).
(1) Model A320-251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes.
(2) Model A321-251N, -253N, -271N, and -272N airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -253N, -271N, and -272N airplanes. This AD was prompted by the failure of an electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) warning to be triggered during heating of several sensing elements of the over-heat detection system (OHDS) loop sequentially during flight test operation procedures. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) with an AFM Temporary Revision (TR) to provide procedures to operate the airplane without functioning bleed leak detection; revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL); and modifying the electrical connections of the bleed monitoring computers (BMCs), which allows for the removal of the AFM TR and the MEL revision; 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 2022-0165.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0165 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA AD 2022-0165 specify to “inform all flight crews” and thereafter to “operate the aeroplane accordingly,” this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
(3) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0165 does not apply to this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0165 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, 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 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, 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 (k)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0165 that contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
For more information about this AD, contact Manuel Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5256; email Manuel.F.Hernandez@faa.gov.
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