Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23115 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-14- 14, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, - 212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2017-14-14 required repetitive inspections for cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations and repair if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-14-14, further analysis determined that the compliance times for the inspections must also be based on flight hours. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2017-14-14, revises compliance times, and adds a provision for optional modifications. 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0128, dated July 3, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0128).
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0128 refers to “13 June 2016 [the effective date of EASA AD 2016-0105],” this AD requires using August 23, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-14-14).
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0128 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0128.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0128 specifies an option to “contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly”, this AD requires replacing that text with “the crack must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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”.
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0128 specifies to submit certain information (inspection report sheet) 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 manager of the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: 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 2017-14-14 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0128 that are required by paragraph (g) 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3667; email: timothy.p.dowling@faa.gov.
