Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22448-22450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09505]



[[Page 22448]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0008; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00563-T; 
Amendment 39-23014; AD 2025-08-01]
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 A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by discovery of two bushes that had 
migrated on the latch shaft of an emergency overwing exit door (OWED) 
during accomplishment of an inspection on an in-service airplane. This 
AD requires repetitive detailed inspections (DETs) of the affected 
parts and, in case of discrepancies, modification of the affected 
parts, and prohibits 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 July 2, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0008; 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-2025-0008.

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 
A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025 (90 FR 6841). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0187, dated September 25, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0187) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI 
states during accomplishment of an inspection on an in-service 
airplane, two bushes were found migrated on the latch shaft of an OWED.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive DETs of the 
affected parts and, in case of discrepancies, modification of the 
affected parts, and to prohibit the installation of affected parts, as 
specified in EASA AD 2024-0187. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
bush migration on the latch shaft. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could affect the fatigue life of the lower beam of the OWED 
and, consequently, the structural integrity of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0008.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from an individual commenter 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 2024-0187 specifies procedures for repetitive DETs for 
discrepancies of the affected parts and, in case of discrepancies, 
modification of discrepant parts. Accomplishment of the modification 
terminates the repetitive inspections. Discrepancies include any signs 
of bush migration or deterioration of the sealant between the bush and 
latch bracket. EASA AD 2024-0187 also prohibits the installation of 
affected parts. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 284 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Cost per
                  Labor cost                      Parts cost        product          Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255, per                     $0            $255  $72,420, per inspection cycle.
 inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any on-condition action 
that would be required based on the results of any required actions. 
The FAA has no way of determining the number of

[[Page 22449]]

aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
51 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $2,150              $6,485
 $4,335.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

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

2025-08-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23014; Docket No. FAA-2025-0008; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00563-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 2, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by discovery of two bushes that had 
migrated on the latch shaft of an emergency overwing exit door 
(OWED) during accomplishment of an inspection on an in-service 
airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address bush migration on 
the latch shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
affect the fatigue life of the lower beam of the OWED and, 
consequently, the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    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 AD 2024-0187, 
dated September 25, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0187).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0187

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0187 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0187 states 
``discrepancies, as defined in the ISB,'' this AD requires replacing 
that text with ``any signs of bush migration or deterioration of the 
sealant between the bush and latch bracket.''
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0187.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0187 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) 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, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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) 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.

(k) 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].

[[Page 22450]]

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2024-0187, 
dated September 25, 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 material 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].

    Issued on April 7, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09505 Filed 5-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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