[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 98 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21848-21851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09225]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0197; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00440-T;
Amendment 39-23039; AD 2025-10-05]
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 A321-111, -112,
[[Page 21849]]
-131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N,
-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This AD was
prompted by the identification of an erroneous value of the main
landing gear (MLG) tire width in the aircraft data files used for
aircraft performance computation. This AD requires revising the
existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate a complementary
performance data file (CPDF) update 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 June 26, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 26,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0197; 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:
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.
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-2025-0197.
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
A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -
253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX
airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February
11, 2025 (90 FR 9291). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0151, dated
July 31, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0151) (also referred
to as the MCAI). The MCAI states an erroneous value of the MLG tire
width has been identified in the aircraft data files used for aircraft
performance computation. The MLG tire width is used for the calculation
of performance on contaminated runways (water, slush, dry snow, and wet
snow runway states), especially for drag modelling. An erroneous value
of the MLG tire width, if not corrected, could result in the erroneous
calculation of certain data, including, but not limited to, takeoff
distance and accelerate stop distance, possibly leading to runway
excursions.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing AFM
to incorporate a CPDF update, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0151. 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-2025-0197.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from United Airlines and the Air Lines
Pilot Association, International, who supported the NPRM without
change.
Changes Made From the NPRM
Since the NPRM published, the FAA realized the language in the MCAI
regarding the CPDF update may be confusing. As a result, the FAA added
paragraph (h)(3) of this AD to clarify that this AD requires revising
the AFM to include the updated CPDF pages.
The FAA also added paragraph (h)(4) of this AD to clarify that, in
order to use a later AFM revision to comply with this AD, the content
must be identical (not similar) to the information in the updated CPDF
pages.
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 this product. 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 EASA AD 2024-0151. This material specifies
procedures for revising the existing AFM to incorporate a CPDF update.
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 742 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.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................. $0 $85 $63,070
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[[Page 21850]]
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:
2025-10-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23039; Docket No. FAA-2025-0197;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00440-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 26, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -
211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -
251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the identification of an erroneous value
of the main landing gear (MLG) tire width in the aircraft data files
used for aircraft performance computation. The FAA is issuing this
AD to correct an erroneous value of the MLG tire width used to
calculate aircraft performance on a contaminated runway. This unsafe
condition, if not corrected, could result in the erroneous
calculation of certain data, including, but not limited to, takeoff
distance and accelerate stop distance, possibly leading to runway
excursions.
(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
2024-0151, dated July 31, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0151).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0151
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0151 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0151 specifies 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, 14 CFR 91.505, and 14 CFR 121.137).
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0151 specifies
``implement the CPDF update in the AFM'', this AD requires replacing
that text with ``revise the existing AFM by incorporating the CPDF
update''.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0151 specifies ``which
includes the same content as in the CPDF update'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``which includes information identical to
the information in the CPDF update''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0151.
(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) 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
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 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 2024-0151,
dated July 31, 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]. 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
[[Page 21851]]
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 May 9, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09225 Filed 5-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P