Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22295 · Landing gear
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, - 114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, - 211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture that led to a NLG collapse. This AD requires inspection of certain NLG and main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and eventual replacement of all affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraphs (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 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0236).
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0236 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a detailed visual inspection, replace the text “the instructions of the AOT” with “paragraphs 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.5 of the AOT.”
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and a Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI), replace the text “the instructions of the AOT” with “paragraphs 4.2.2.3 and 4.2.2.6 of the AOT.”
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies that “if discrepancies are detected on an affected part” for this AD discrepancies include cracking and heat damage.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to quarantine parts, this AD does not require that action.
(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0236.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236 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 Approval Organization (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
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; phone: 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.
