Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22254 · Auto flight
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -151N, and -153N airplanes.
(2) Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(3) Model A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-12- 11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, - 115, -151N, and -153N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. AD 2020-12- 11 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to limit the use of speed brakes in certain airplane configurations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD. This AD was prompted by a non-stabilized approach followed by an automatic go- around that led to an airplane pitch-up attitude and resulted in an auto-pilot disconnection. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-12-11 and also requires, for certain airplanes, installing updated FG 3G standard software for the FMGC, and prohibits the installation of affected FG standards, as specified in an 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 2022-0096, dated May 31, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0096).
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0096 refers to “the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0118,” this AD requires using July 24, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-11).
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0096 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0096 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 (see 14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 91.505, and 14 CFR 121.137).
(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0096 does not apply to this AD.
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 (j) 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 (i)(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.
For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 817-222-5584; email Hye.Yoon.Jang@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.
