[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:
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.
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.
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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
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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51 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,150 $6,485
$4,335.........................
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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 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]
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