AD 2020-18-06 Prompted By A Report That Cracks Were Detected

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; 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 report that cracks were detected on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the first rivet hole of the frame (FR) 43 foot coupling during scheduled maintenance. This AD requires a rotating probe test of the fastener holes at FR43 on the LH and RH sides for any cracking, and on-condition actions if necessary, 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. This AD is effective October 8, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0037, dated February 27, 2020; corrected February 28, 2020 (“EASA AD 2020-0037”) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. Model A320-215 airplanes are not certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.

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 A318 series airplanes; 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2020 (85 FR 21334). The NPRM was prompted by a report that cracks were detected on the LH and RH sides of the first rivet hole of the FR43 foot coupling during scheduled maintenance. The NPRM proposed to require a rotating probe test of the fastener holes at FR43 on the LH and RH sides for any cracking, and on-condition actions if necessary, as specified in an EASA AD.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the foot coupling, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

FMI: www.regulations.gov