AD NUMBER: 2019-14-03

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07-12, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2016-07-12 required repetitive inspections for damage and cracking of the aft fixed fairing (AFF) of the pylons, and repair if necessary.

This AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-07-12 and requires additional repetitive inspections at the upper spar at a certain rib area and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in an European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the AFF of the pylons due to fatigue damage of the structure and reports of cracks on a certain rib of a modified AFF of the pylons.

DATES: This AD is effective September 26, 2019.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 205 airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

Required Actions

• Retained actions from AD 2016-07-12 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 per aircraft.
• New proposed actions Up to 21 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $1,785 per aircraft.

Estimated Costs for Optional Actions

• Labor: Up to 70 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $5,950 per aircraft
• Parts: Up to $32,800
• Cost per Aircraft: Up to $38,750

FMI: AD