[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 157 (Monday, August 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40028-40030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15685]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0907; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00634-T;
Amendment 39-23104; AD 2025-16-06]
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
certain Airbus SAS Model A319-112 and -132 airplanes, and Model A320-
214, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by
rivet holes being left unplugged after bracket relocation or removal
accomplished during certain modifications, potentially resulting in
fatigue damage starting from those rivet holes. This AD requires a one-
time special detailed inspection (SDI) of the rivet holes and
applicable corrective actions; and allows the installation of certain
modifications, provided rivets are installed after the modification.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
22, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0907; 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 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.
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-2025-0907.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Weigand, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
206-231-3531; 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 certain Airbus SAS
Model A319-112 and -132 airplanes, and Model A320-214, -232, -233, -
251N, and -271N airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on May 19, 2025 (90 FR 21247). The NPRM was prompted by AD
2024-0204, dated October 22, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD
2024-0204) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that rivet
holes were left unplugged after bracket relocation or removal,
potentially resulting in fatigue damage starting from those rivet holes
and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. The rivet
holes were left unplugged due to certain optional modification material
not providing instructions to reinstall rivets after removing brackets.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time SDI of the
rivet holes and applicable corrective actions; and to allow the
installation of certain modifications, provided rivets are installed
after the modification, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0204. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and
corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0907.
[[Page 40029]]
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0204, which specifies procedures for
a one-time SDI of the rivet holes for any discrepancy (missing or
incorrect rivets and cracks) and, depending on findings, accomplishment
of applicable corrective actions (i.e., repairing cracks, obtaining
instructions for addressing incorrect rivets, and installing oversized
rivets). For airplanes that have not installed certain optional
modifications, EASA AD 2024-0204 allows installing an optional
modification, provided that rivets are installed after the
modification. 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 289 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per Minimal............... $680 Up to $196,520.
hour = $680.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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:
2025-16-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23104; Docket No. FAA-2025-0907;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00634-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 22,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-
0204, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0204).
(1) Model A319-112 and -132 airplanes.
(2) Model A320-214, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by rivet holes being left unplugged after
bracket relocation or removal accomplished during certain
modifications, potentially resulting in fatigue damage starting from
those rivet holes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this
condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could affect 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, EASA AD 2024-0204.
[[Page 40030]]
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0204
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0204 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0204 refers to ``discrepancies,'' this AD
defines discrepancies as missing or incorrect rivets and cracks.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0204 specifies ``within
the compliance time identified therein,'' this AD requires replacing
that text with ``before further flight''.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0204 specifies ``it is
allowed to modify an aeroplane in accordance with the instructions
of any modification SB provided that, before next flight after that
modification, rivets are installed'' this AD requires replacing that
text with ``for airplanes on which an applicable modification SB has
been accomplished in service, before further flight following
modification, rivets must be installed''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0204.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0204 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
paragraphs (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 Nathan Weigand,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 206-231-3531; 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0204,
dated October 22, 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 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 August 4, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15685 Filed 8-15-25; 8:45 am]
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