Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23168 · Fuselage
Airbus SAS Airplanes
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0217, dated November 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0217).
(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, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-08- 08, which applied to certain 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. AD 2022-08-08 required repetitive special detailed inspections of certain double joggle areas on the fuselage and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-08-08, it was determined that additional airplane models are subject to the unsafe condition and additional requirements are necessary for airplanes repaired after accomplishment of certain airworthiness limitations item (ALI) tasks. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-08-08. This AD also adds airplane models to the applicability and additional requirements for certain airplanes. 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 2024-0217.
(1) Replace paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0217 with “For an airplane that has been repaired before the effective date of this AD in an affected area using Airbus-approved instructions unrelated to (not a result of a finding during an ALI inspection or the inspection SB) ALI task 531153-02-1, 531153-02-2, 531155-02-1, 531155-02-2, 531153-03-1, 531155-03-1 or the inspection SB, as applicable: Before exceeding the thresholds as specified in Table 1 (for CEO airplanes) or Table 2 (for NEO airplanes) of this AD, as applicable, contact the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA)s for approved instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.”
(2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0217 specifies to “contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly” if any cracks are detected, for this AD if any cracking is detected, the cracking 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.
(3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0217.
(4) Where EASA AD 2024-0217 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-0217 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates ALI tasks 531153-02-1, and 531155-02-1 as required by paragraph (n) of AD 2025-03-06 only for the airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
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, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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 2022-08-08 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0217 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 (h)(2) and (k)(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.
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.
