Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 155 (Thursday, August 14, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39106-39109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0626; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00713-T; 
Amendment 39-23102; AD 2025-16-04]
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 A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a heavy maintenance check that found elongation on the 
upper section of the vertical member's assembly at the frame (FR) 24A 
cargo panel sub-structure. This AD requires a check for certain 
repairs, and as applicable, repetitive detailed visual inspections of 
the vertical member's upper part and the upper fittings at FR 24A in 
the forward cargo compartment and corrective actions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 18, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 18, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0626; 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 Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 
31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 
93 44 51; email airbus.com">account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; website airbus.com.
    <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-2025-0626.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-
3225; 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 
A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -
114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; 
Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -
253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; Model A321-111, -112, -131, -
211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -
253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2025 (90 FR 16655). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0083, dated April 14, 2025, issued by 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2025-0083) 
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that during heavy 
maintenance checks, elongation was found on the upper section of the 
vertical member's assembly (Y-765, Y-254, Y254, and Y765) at the FR 24A 
cargo panel substructure. The affected parts are the cargo bulkhead 
vertical member upper parts and upper fittings located at the FR 24A 
behind the 80VU rack.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a check for certain 
repairs, and as applicable, repetitive detailed visual inspections of 
the vertical member's upper part and the upper fittings at FR 24A in 
the forward cargo compartment and corrective actions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct damage of the FR 24A vertical 
members assembly in the forward cargo compartment. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to affected parts hitting the 
80VU rack and subsequent loss of several 80VU computers, with multiple 
system failures or partial disconnection of systems, which could result 
in reduced control of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0626.

[[Page 39107]]

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.
    The FAA received additional comments from American Airlines (AA) 
and Delta Airlines (Delta). The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Require Compliance With EASA AD 2025-0083

    AA and Delta requested the FAA revise paragraph (g) to comply with 
the requirements of EASA AD 2025-0083; in lieu of the Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024. AA and Delta stated 
that the current reference to a specific service bulletin revision 
would result in operators needing to request alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs) each time a new service bulletin revision is 
released.
    The FAA does not agree with the request. The FAA concurs that 
mandating the EASA AD 2025-0083 allows flexibility and that mandating 
the Airbus service bulletins would result in an AMOC for later 
revisions of the Airbus service bulletins. However, for this AD, the 
FAA determined that EASA AD 2025-0083 did not fully describe the 
corrective actions and therefore it was more appropriate to mandate the 
Airbus service bulletins. However, insofar as is appropriate, the FAA 
is committed to mandating EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs by utilizing the ``IBR the 
MCAI'' process.

Additional Changes Made to This AD

    The FAA has added Model A321-271NY airplanes to the applicability, 
as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0083. 
The FAA added Model A321-271NY airplanes to the applicability because 
Model A321-271NY airplanes were recently certificated by the FAA and 
are included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet. There are 
currently no Model A321-271N airplanes on the U.S. registry. The FAA 
has also added Model A321-271NY airplanes to paragraphs (g)(2) of this 
AD.
    In addition, the FAA has reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1CFV, Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025, which adds Model A321-271NY 
airplanes to its effectivity and changes the threshold in compliance 
table from Entry Into Service (EIS) to date of manufacture. The FAA has 
revised the ``Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR part 51'' 
paragraph and paragraphs (g)(2), (h)(1), (h)(3) through (5), (i), and 
(l)(2)(iii) of this AD, to refer to Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1CFV, Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025. The FAA notes that for Model 
A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -
253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -251NX, -
252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -271NY, -272N, and 
-272NX airplanes, either Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated 
September 26, 2024; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, Revision 
01, dated July 2, 2025, may be used to accomplish the applicable 
requirements of this AD.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments 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 these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, and any other changes described previously, 
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

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated 
September 26, 2024; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated 
September 26, 2024; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, Revision 
01, dated July 2, 2025; which specify procedures for a maintenance 
records check for certain existing repairs, and depending on the 
results of the check, contacting Airbus for instructions, repetitive 
detailed visual inspections for damage (e.g., cracking and wear, which 
includes elongation of the hole) of the vertical members upper part 
(side, elongated hole, and guiding nuts) and repetitive detailed visual 
inspections for damage (e.g., cracking and wear) of the upper fittings 
at FR 24A in the forward cargo compartment. Depending on the detailed 
visual inspection results, the material also specifies corrective 
actions, including repairing damage, installing new or retained 
vertical members and new guiding nuts, and replacing damaged upper 
fittings with new fittings. These documents are distinct since they 
apply to different airplane configurations.
    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 1,938 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................              $0              $85         $164,730
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

[[Page 39108]]



                Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost           product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per hour   Up to $614..........          $1,294
 = $680.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes damage repair, installation of vertical members and guiding
  nuts, replacement of upper fittings with new fittings, and repetitive
  inspections.
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
  estimates for the on-condition instructions specified in this AD.

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:

2025-16-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23102; Docket No. FAA-2025-0626; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00713-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 18, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N 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, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -
271NY, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a heavy maintenance check that found 
elongation on the upper section of the vertical member's assembly at 
the frame (FR) 24A cargo panel sub-structure. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to detect and correct damage of the FR 24A vertical members 
assembly in the forward cargo compartment. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could lead to affected parts hitting the 80VU rack 
and subsequent loss of several 80VU computers, with multiple system 
failures or partial disconnection of systems, which could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    (1) For Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model 
A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; 
Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233; and Model A321-
111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -and 232 airplanes: Except 
as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times 
specified in paragraph 1.E. Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, do all applicable actions 
identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024.
    (2) For Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; 
Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; 
and Model A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -
271N, -271NX, -271NY, -272N, and -272NX airplanes: Except as 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times 
specified in paragraph 1.E. Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, or Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025, do all applicable 
actions identified as ``RC'' in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, 
dated September 26, 2024, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, 
Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information

    (1) Where paragraph 1.E. Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025, refer to ``the 
effective date of the AD,'' this AD requires using the effective 
date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph 1.E. Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, refer to a compliance time 
``since aircraft entry into service (EIS)'' or ``since aircraft 
EIS'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``since airplane 
date of manufacture''.
    (3) Where the Conditions column of Table 2 in paragraph 1.E. 
Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 
26, 2024; Airbus Service Bulletin

[[Page 39109]]

A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024; and Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025; refers to ``All 
aircraft'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``All aircraft 
on which the vertical member has not been repaired as per RDAF and 
it has not been repaired in accordance with SRM 53-21-29-300-002''.
    (4) Where the Conditions column of Table 3 in paragraph 1.E. 
Compliance of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 
26, 2024; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 
2024; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2025; refers to ``All aircraft'', this AD requires replacing 
that text with ``All aircraft on which the upper fitting has not 
been repaired in accordance with SRM 53-21-29-283-003''.
    (5) Where paragraph 1.E. Compliance and the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated 
September 26, 2024; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated 
September 26, 2024; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, 
Revision 01, dated July 2, 2025; specify ``should be replaced'', 
this AD requires replacing that text with ``must be replaced''.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 
26, 2024; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 
2024; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2025; specify 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, AIR-
520, 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 the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (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 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 Dan Rodina, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 206-231-3225; email [email protected].

(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) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 
2024.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 
2024.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2025.
    (3) For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 
31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email airbus.com">account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; website 
airbus.com.
    (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 July 31, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15480 Filed 8-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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