Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22225 · Time limits/maintenance checks
Airbus SAS Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2025-02-04. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before February 2, 2022.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21- 11, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and - 153N airplanes; and Model A320 and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-21-11 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-21-11 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2020-21-11, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 13, 2019, except for Model A319-171N airplanes: 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 2020-0080, dated April 1, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0080). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) The requirements specified in paragraph (1), (3), and (4) of EASA AD 2020-0080 do not apply to this AD.
(2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0080 specifies revising “the AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the “limitations” specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0080 within 90 days after November 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-21-11).
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0080 is at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0080, or within 90 days after November 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-21-11), whichever occurs later.
(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0080 does not apply to this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2020-21-11, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed except as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2020-0080.
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0082, dated May 10, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0082). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0082 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0082 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0082 specifies revising “the approved AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0082 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0082, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2022-0082 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0082 does not apply to this AD.
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2022-0082.
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 (n) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2020-21-11 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0082 that are required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(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.
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@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.
