2024-12-01: 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) 2022-14-10, Amendment 39-22115 (87 FR 42315, July 15, 2022); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2024-12-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22765; Docket No. FAA-2024-0757; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01205-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 13, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-14-10, Amendment 39-22115 (87 FR 42315, July 15, 2022) (AD 2022-14-10). (c) Applicability This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0205, dated November 21, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0205). (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes. (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes. (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, and -271N airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that, during a center fuselage certification full-scale fatigue test, cracks were found on the front spar vertical stringer at a certain frame. This AD was also prompted by a determination that Model A321 airplanes that have incorporated modification 160021 are also subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking of the front spar vertical stringers on the wings. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (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 2023-0205. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0205 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0205 refers to "22 November 2021 [the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0241]," this AD requires using August 19, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-14-10). (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0205 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0205. (4) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies "if any crack is found, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved corrective action instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly," this AD requires replacing that text with "if any crack is found, the crack 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." (5) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies actions for airplanes repaired "in accordance with instructions approved by EASA or approved under the authority of Airbus Design Organization Approval (DOA) privileges," this AD requires replacing that text with "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." (6) Where paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies approval "by Airbus DOA," this AD requires replacing that text with "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." (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (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. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (j)(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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email [email protected]. (l) 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 2023-0205, dated November 21, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023-0205, 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 June 5, 2024. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-14868 Filed 7-8-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P