Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22505 · Equipment/furnishings
Airbus SAS Airplanes
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 2021-0166R1, dated December 22, 2022 (EASA AD 2021-0166R1).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-10- 08, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -251N, and - 271N airplanes. AD 2022-10-08 required a one-time detailed inspection of the affected passenger seats and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-10-08, it was determined that additional passenger seats are affected. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-10-08, and also requires inspecting additional affected passenger seats; 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0166R1.
(1) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0166R1 specifies to accomplish a detailed inspection of each affected part within 12 months after July 27, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0166, dated July 13, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0166)), for this AD do the inspection at the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) For the parts identified in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2021-0166, do the inspection within 12 months after June 7, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-10-08).
(ii) For the parts identified in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2021-0166R1, except those identified in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2021-0166, do the inspection within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0166R1 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.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0166R1 allows deferral of certain actions, for this AD replace the text “in accordance with the applicable instructions and limitations of Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) item 25-20-01A” with “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)”.
(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0166R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0166R1.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0166R1 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 (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.
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email Timothy.P.Dowling@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
