Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8670-8673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02066]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2314; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00312-T; 
Amendment 39-22914; AD 2024-25-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, and -153N airplanes; A320 series airplanes; and A321-211, -212, -
213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
determination that a damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of nose 
landing gear (NLG) repairs is necessary for certain parts fitted on 
airplanes approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent 
States (CIS). This AD requires repair and

[[Page 8671]]

replacement of all affected parts, and introduces restrictions for the 
installation of affected parts, 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.

DATES: This AD is effective March 7, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 7, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2314; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3667; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model 
A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, 
A319-133, A319-151N, A319-153N, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, 
A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A320-251N, A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-
271N, A320-272N, A320-273N, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, 
A321-232, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, 
A321-253NX, A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N, and A321-272NX airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2024 (89 FR 
78262). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0022, dated January 23, 2024, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0022) (also referred to as the MCAI). 
The MCAI states that a design review led to a determination that a 
damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of NLG repairs is required 
for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for CIS operation. The 
EASA AD addresses the reassessment of these repairs. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage or failure of the 
affected parts and the NLG, and possible damage to the airplane and 
injury to occupants, following modifications for CIS operations.
    Different runway standards in CIS countries have resulted in the 
need for specific landing gear modifications or repairs on those 
modified landing gears. The landing gear components modified for CIS 
runway conditions may be inadequate for continued operation. While it 
is possible there are few or no U.S. airplanes subject to the repair 
and replacement requirements of this AD, the FAA has determined that 
this AD is necessary to identify airplanes with affected parts and 
confirm the need for any follow-on actions
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repair and replacement of 
all affected parts and introduced restrictions to limit the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified 
in EASA AD 2024-0022. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2314.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this 
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2024-0022 specifies procedures for repair and replacement, 
as applicable, of the affected parts. EASA AD 2024-0022 also limits the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. This material 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified 
in ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,680 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                Labor cost                      Parts cost        Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.........                  $0                  $85   Up to $142,800.
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    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the repairs or replacements specified in this AD. The 
cost of parts could be as high as $5,620 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,

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section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle 
VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the 
Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2024-25-12 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22914; Docket No. FAA-2024-2314; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00312-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 7, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, and -153N airplanes.
    (2) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (3) Model A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -
252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that a damage-tolerance 
and fatigue reassessment of nose landing gear (NLG) repairs is 
necessary for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for 
operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the reassessment of these repairs. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage or failure 
of the affected parts and the NLG, and possible damage to the 
airplane and injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    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 
2024-0022, dated January 23, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0022).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0022

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0022 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0022.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    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 (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed 
to: [email protected]. 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, 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) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(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.

(j) Additional Information

    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: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0022, 
dated January 23, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].


[[Page 8673]]


    Issued on January 28, 2025.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02066 Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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