✈️New Airworthiness Directive for Airbus Airplanes
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a full-scale fatigue test that found cracks on the main landing gear (MLG) bay rear skin panel at the stringer run-out at Frame 46 and Stringer 32 on the left-hand and right-hand sides. This AD requires repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) of the affected area for cracking and applicable corrective actions, 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.
Agencies
- Transportation Department
- Federal Aviation Administration
Business Impact
$$ - Med
The regulatory text mandates compliance with a new airworthiness directive impacting Airbus SAS airplanes, which requires repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) on critical components. Non-compliance could lead to operational disturbances and increased costs for U.S. operators, estimated at approximately $473,535 per inspection cycle. Business owners in aviation must plan for these ongoing maintenance costs and compliance requirements.