Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47786-47788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15308]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01426-T; 
Amendment 39-23425; AD 2026-15-13]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-16-
12, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and 
-173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N 
airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -
252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes. AD 2025-
16-12 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) and 
the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL), allowed 
replacement of each affected high-pressure bleed valve (HPV) as an 
optional terminating action, and prohibited the installation of 
affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-16-12, the FAA has 
determined that repetitive replacement of the HPV clips is necessary to 
address the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions 
in AD 2025-16-12 and requires repetitive replacement of each affected 
HPV clip. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 2, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 29, 
2025 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 
40964)).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; 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-2026-3874.

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 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-23110 (90 FR 
39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)) (AD 
2025-16-12). AD 2025-16-12 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -
153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, 
-272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -
272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY 
airplanes. AD 2025-16-12 required revising the existing AFM and the 
existing FAA-approved MEL, allowed replacement of each affected HPV as 
an optional terminating action, and prohibited the installation of 
affected parts. The FAA issued AD 2025-16-12 to address high pressure 
and temperatures in the duct downstream from the pressure regulating 
valve, which could lead to duct burst and result in damage to several 
systems or the airframe and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2026 
(91 FR 23025). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0096, dated April 
28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0096) (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 occurrences were reported of HPV 
butterfly seal retention clip rupture, which causes the butterfly seals 
to no longer be retained in the butterfly groove. This may increase 
internal leakage, triggering an alert that the HPV has failed in the 
open condition. It may also release foreign object debris, which could 
damage the systems (e.g., engine bleed air system and pneumatic system) 
downstream from the HPV on the engine pylon and wing.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2025-16-12 and require repetitive replacement of each affected HPV 
clip, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0096. 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-2026-3874.

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

    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

[[Page 47787]]

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    This AD requires EASA AD 2025-0096, dated April 28, 2025, which the 
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of August 29, 2025 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; 
corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)).
    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 554 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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                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
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Retained actions from AD 2025-16-12......  2 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $170         $94,180
                                            = $170.
New actions..............................  5 work-hours x $85 per hour          383          808         447,632
                                            = $425.
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             Estimated Costs for Optional Terminating Action
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              Labor cost                Parts cost     Cost per product
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32 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,720       $2,800               $5,520
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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) 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-23110 
(90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 
40964)); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2026-15-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23425; Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01426-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 2, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-23110 (90 FR 39102, 
August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)) (AD 2025-
16-12).

(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, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, 
-253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 36, Pneumatic.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by occurrences of high-pressure bleed valve 
(HPV) butterfly seal retention clip rupture. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address high pressure and temperatures in the duct downstream 
from the pressure regulating valve, which could lead to duct burst 
and result in damage to several systems or the airframe and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(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 
2025-0096, dated April 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0096).

[[Page 47788]]

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0096

    (1) Where paragraphs (1) and (6.2) of EASA AD 2025-0096 refer to 
its effective date, this AD requires August 29, 2025 (the effective 
date of AD 2025-16-12).
    (2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0096 refers to its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) Where paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA AD 2025-0096 specify to 
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as those 
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations 
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and (a)(5)).
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0096 specifies to 
``implement the instructions of the MMEL update, as applicable, 
depending on aeroplane configuration (see Note 1 of this AD), on the 
basis of which the operator's MEL must be amended'', this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``revise the operator's existing 
FAA-approved MEL by incorporating the applicable information 
identified in ``The MMEL update'' as defined in EASA AD 2025-0096''.
    (5) Where the service information required by EASA AD 2025-0096 
specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts 
from service.
    (6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0096.

(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, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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)(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

    (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.

(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.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on August 29, 
2025 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 
40964)).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0096, 
dated April 28, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 23, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15308 Filed 7-28-26; 8:45 am]
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