2024-06-07: Wings

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 (AD) 2020-05-16, Amendment 39-19866 (85 FR 15938, March 20, 2020); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2024-06-07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22712; Docket No. FAA-2023-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00789-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 22, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-05-16, Amendment 39-19866 (85 FR 15938, March 20, 2020) (AD 2020-05-16). (c) Applicability This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0111R1, dated July 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0111R1). (1) Model A319-115 airplanes. (2) Model A320-214, -216, -232, -251N, and -271N airplanes. (3) Model A321-211, -213, -231, -251N, -251NX, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, and -272N airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of incomplete installations of the over wing panel lug attachments in the production assembly line and a determination that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address these incomplete installations. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0111R1. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0111R1 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0111R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0111R1 refers to October 2, 2019 (the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0233, dated September 18, 2019), this AD requires using April 24, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2020-05-16). (3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0111R1 specifies to "contact Airbus for approved instructions, and within the compliance time identified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly," this AD requires replacing that text with "contact Airbus for approved instructions, and within the compliance time identified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly, except if any cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further flight 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." (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0111R1. (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0111R1 specifies a compliance time of "before exceeding 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs first since aeroplane first flight," this AD requires replacing that text with "before exceeding 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs first since airplane first flight; or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later." (i) No Reporting Requirement for Certain Airplanes For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in EASA AD 2022-0111R1, this AD does not require reporting. (j) Credit for Previous Actions For Group 2 airplanes, as identified in EASA AD 2022-0111R1: This paragraph provides credit for the inspections and corrective actions required by paragraphs (2) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0111R, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A57N012-19, dated March 20, 2019; or Airbus AOT A57N012-19, Revision 01 dated April 18, 2019. (k) 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 (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (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 2020-05-16 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0111R1 that are required by paragraph (g) 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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (k)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (l) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email [email protected]. (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office-EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; website airbus.com . (m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0111R1, dated July 26, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2022-0111R1, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this service information at the 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. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations , or email [email protected]. Issued on March 15, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-08106 Filed 4-16-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P