2023-05-02: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-21-10, Amendment 39-21283 (85 FR 65190, October 15, 2020); and AD 2022-07-08, Amendment 39-21996 (87 FR 22117, April 14, 2022); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-05-02 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22371; Docket No. FAA-2022-1645; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00734-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 18, 2023. (b) Affected ADs (1) This AD replaces AD 2020-21-10, Amendment 39-21283 (85 FR 65190, October 15, 2020) (AD 2020-21-10). (2) This AD replaces AD 2022-07-08, Amendment 39-21996 (87 FR 22117, April 14, 2022) (AD 2022-07-08). (3) This AD affects AD 2018-23-02, Amendment 39-19488 (83 FR 59278, November 23, 2018) (AD 2018-23-02). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before February 18, 2022. (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes. (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes. (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes. (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the risks associated with the effects of aging on airplane systems. Such effects could change system characteristics. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an increased potential for failure of certain life-limited parts, and reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program From AD 2020-21-10, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2020-21-10, with no changes. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 7, 2019, except for Model A319-171N airplanes: Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0034, dated February 25, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0034). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (n) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0034, With No Changes This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (j) of AD 2020-21-10, with no changes. (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2020-0034 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA 2020-0034 specifies revising "the AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the "tasks and associated thresholds and intervals" specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 2020 0034 within 90 days after November 19, 2020 (the effective date AD 2020-21-10). (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0034 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0034, or within 90 days after November 19, 2020 (the effective date AD 2020-21-10), whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2020-0034 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0034 does not apply to this AD. (i) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 2020-21-10, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2020-21-10, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (n) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2020-0034. (j) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program From AD 2022-07-08, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2022-07-08, with no changes. Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (n) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (1) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 5, 2020, except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0270, dated December 7, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0270). (2) For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued after October 5, 2020, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the provision specified in paragraph (k)(7) of this AD. (k) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0270, With No Changes This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (m) of AD 2022-07-08, with no changes. (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0270 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using May 19, 2022 (the effective date AD 2022-07-08). (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2020-0270 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0270 specifies revising "the approved AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after May 19, 2022 (the effective date AD 2022-07-08). (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0270 is at the applicable "limitations" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0270, or within 90 days after May 19, 2022 (the effective date AD 2022-07-08), whichever occurs later. (5) The provisions specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0270 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0270 does not apply to this AD. (7) For all airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD: Where the Note for Item 274000-00004-1-E of Section 4-1 in the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0270 specifies "NBB carbon disc replacement" instructions, for this AD, replace the text "NBB carbon disc replacement can be accomplished in accordance with SB A320-27-1242 or VSB 47145-27-17," with "NBB carbon disk replacement must be accomplished in accordance with SB A320-27-1242." (l) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals AD 2022-07-08, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (n) of AD 2022-07-08, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (n) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2020-0270. (m) Retained Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of Paragraph (g) of This AD This paragraph restates the terminating action specified in paragraph (o) of AD 2022-07-08. Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) limitation task 274000-00004-1-E for the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), as required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (n) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program Except as specified in paragraph (o) of this AD, comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0102, dated June 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0102). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (j) of this AD. (o) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0102 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0102. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102 specifies revising "the approved AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0102. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0102. (p) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (n) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2022-0102. (q) New Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2018-23-02 Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (n) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) through (k) of AD 2018-23-02 for 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 only. (r) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (s) of this AD. (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2020-21-10 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. (iii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-07-08 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD. (iv) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2020-21-10 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0102 that are required by paragraph (n) of this AD. (v) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-07-08 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0102 that are required by paragraph (n) of this AD. (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, International Validation 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. (s) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email [email protected] . (t) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on April 18, 2023. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0102, dated June 8, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 19, 2022 (87 FR 22117, April 14, 2022). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0270, dated December 7, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on November 19, 2020 (85 FR 65190, October 15, 2020). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0034, dated February 25, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (6) For EASA ADs 2022-0102, 2020-0270, and 2020-0034, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (7) You may view this service information at 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. (8) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on March 2, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-05061 Filed 3-13-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P