AD NUMBER: 2018-16-04

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, - 232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitations document that specifies more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.

This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.

DATES: This AD is effective September 14, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,133 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this figure may vary from operator to operator.

In the past, the agency has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a peroperator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.

Therefore, the estimated total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

FMI: AD