Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 131 (Friday, July 10, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42641-42644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-13983]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 131 / Friday, July 10, 2026 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 42641]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3481; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00970-T; 
Amendment 39-23406; AD 2026-14-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-11-
02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, 
and -173N airplanes; A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N 
airplanes; A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -
271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. AD 2025-11-02 required 
revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) by providing 
instructions to address dual loss of radio management panel (RMP) data 
synchronization. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-11-02, a software 
modification for the digital radio and audio integrating management 
system (DRAIMS) has been developed to address the unsafe condition. 
This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2025-11-02, requires 
modification of the DRAIMS, and adds Model A321-271NY airplanes to the 
applicability. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected 
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2026. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain 
publication listed in this AD as of August 14, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3481; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]. 
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-2026-3481.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3539; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2025-11-02, Amendment 39-23048 (90 FR 
22199, May 27, 2025) (AD 2025-11-02). AD 2025-11-02 applied to Airbus 
SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; A320-251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; A321-251N, -251NX, -
252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX 
airplanes having Airbus modification 162344 or 168460, except those 
having Airbus modification 165670 installed in production. AD 2025-11-
02 required revising the existing AFM by providing instructions to 
address dual loss of RMP data synchronization. The FAA issued AD 2025-
11-02 to address loss of communications means (RMP data synchronization 
and very high frequency (VHF) communications) on the DRAIMS. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in total loss of radio 
communications, including transponder functionality and standby 
navigation.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2026 
(91 FR 18792). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0118R1, dated July 
15, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0118R1) (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 that Airbus issued service information 
to upgrade DRAIMS to the software L4.3 standard.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2025-11-02, require modification of the DRAIMS, and add Model A321-
271NY airplanes to the applicability, as specified in EASA AD 2025-
0118R1. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of affected 
parts, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0118R1. 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-2026-3481.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and United Airlines who supported the NPRM without 
change.

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, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

[[Page 42642]]

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2025-0118R1 specifies procedures for revising the existing 
AFM by providing instructions to address dual loss of RMP data 
synchronization; and modifying the airplane by upgrading DRAIMS to the 
software L4.3 standard, which includes upgrading the audio management 
and RMP software and modifying the wiring at the 3rd occupant human-
machine interface input. EASA AD 2025-0118R1 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.

Interim Action

    The preamble to AD 2025-11-02 explained that the FAA considered 
that AD an interim action and that the FAA might consider further 
rulemaking once a modification was developed, approved, and available. 
The DRAIMS software L4.3 standard addresses the unsafe condition and 
terminates the AFM revision required by AD 2025-11-02. Therefore, the 
FAA has determined this modification should be required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 544 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost       Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2025-11-   1 work-hour x $85             $0  $85.................  $46,240.
 02.                                 per hour = $85.
New action........................  Up to 7 work-hours x        $774  Up to $1,369........  Up to $744,736.
                                     $85 per hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-11-02, Amendment 39-23048 
(90 FR 22199, May 27, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2026-14-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23406; Docket No. FAA-2026-3481; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00970-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2025-11-02, Amendment 39-23048 (90 FR 22199, 
May 27, 2025) (AD 2025-11-02).

(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 A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes.
    (2) Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -
253NY, -271N, -271NX, -271NY, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23, 
Communications.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of lost synchronization between 
radio management panels (RMPs). The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address loss of communication means (RMP data synchronization and 
very high frequency communications) on the digital radio and audio 
integrating management system (DRAIMS). This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in total loss of radio communications, 
including transponder functionality and standby navigation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), With a New 
Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2025-11-02, with a new terminating action. For Airbus SAS Model 
A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; Model A321-251N, -
251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, 
and -272NX airplanes having Airbus modification 162344 or 168460, 
except for airplanes having Airbus modification 165670 installed in 
production: Within 7 days after June 11, 2025 (the effective date of 
AD 2025-11-02), revise the Emergency Procedures section of the 
existing AFM to include the information in figure 1 or figure 2 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable. This may be done by 
inserting a copy of figure 1 or figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD, as

[[Page 42643]]

applicable, into the existing AFM. Using a different document with 
information identical to that contained in figure 1 or figure 2 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. Accomplishing 
the modification required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10JY26.000

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10JY26.001


[[Page 42644]]



(h) Retained Credit for Previous Actions, With No Change

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2025-11-02, with no change.
    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the AFM revision required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the revision was performed before 
June 11, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2025-11-02) using Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Operations Engineering Bulletin (OEB) 63, issue 
1.0, dated February 7, 2025.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the AFM revision required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the revision was performed before 
June 11, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2025-11-02) using Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision TR816, 
Issue 1, dated February 19, 2025; or Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision TR817, Issue 1, dated 
February 19, 2025, as applicable.

(i) New AFM Revision for Certain Airplanes

    For Airbus SAS Model A321-271NY airplanes identified as Group 1 
airplanes in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-
0118R1, dated July 15, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0118R1): Within 7 days 
after the effective date of this AD, revise the Emergency Procedures 
section of the existing AFM to include the information in figure 1 
or figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable. This may be 
done by inserting a copy of figure 1 or figure 2 to paragraph (g) of 
this AD, as applicable, into the existing AFM. Using a different 
document with information identical to that contained in figure 1 or 
figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable, is acceptable 
for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. 
Accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (j) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(j) New Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0118R1. Accomplishing the modification 
required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs 
(g) and (i) of this AD, as applicable.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0118R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0118R1 refers to June 4, 2025 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0118, dated May 21, 2025), this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1) through (3) and 
paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2025-0118R1.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0118R1.

(l) 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 (m)(1) of this AD and email to: 
[email protected].
    (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 2025-11-02 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of 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 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 (l)(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.

(m) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: [email protected].
    (2) For Airbus material identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference, 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.

(n) 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 2025-0118R1, 
dated July 15, 2025.
    (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]. 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 July 6, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-13983 Filed 7-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T00:47:35.928422+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

6d7c7328485d7441f6eacbd53f276299db53aa12eb95c6808e2e2ab6d2c33962

Text SHA-256

e5b3e3bbbe28803dbd3f3798749c41e397e9e12165014dae95a56c6b932c8367