2025-03-06: 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 (AD) 2017-22-03, Amendment 39-19083 (82 FR 49091, October 24, 2017); AD 2023-13-10, Amendment 39-22495 (88 FR 50005, August 1, 2023); and AD 2024-04-03, Amendment 39-22682 (89 FR 18769, March 15, 2024); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2025-03-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22954; Docket No. FAA-2024-2145; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00077-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2025. (b) Affected ADs (1) This AD replaces AD 2017-22-03, Amendment 39-19083 (82 FR 49091, October 24, 2017). (2) This AD replaces AD 2023-13-10, Amendment 39-22495 (88 FR 50005, August 1, 2023) (AD 2023-13-10). (3) This AD replaces AD 2024-04-03, Amendment 39-22682 (89 FR 18769, March 15, 2024) (AD 2024-04-03). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4), certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before December 19, 2023. (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, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, 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 new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in 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 2023-13-10, With New Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD 2023-13-10, with new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 10, 2022: 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 2022-0085, dated May 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0085), and EASA AD 2023-0008, dated January 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0008). Where EASA AD 2023-0008 affects the same airworthiness limitations as those in EASA AD 2022-0085, the airworthiness limitations referenced in EASA AD 2023-0008 prevail. 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 2022-0085 and EASA AD 2023-0008, With No Changes This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (p) of AD 2023-13-10, with no changes. (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008 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 September 5, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-13-10). (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008 is at the applicable "thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008, respectively, or within 90 days after September 5, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-13-10), whichever occurs later. Where EASA AD 2023-0008 affects the same airworthiness limitations as those in EASA AD 2022-0085, the airworthiness limitations referenced in EASA AD 2023-0008 prevail. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008 do not apply to this AD. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0085 and of EASA AD 2023-0008. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 2023-13-10, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (q) of AD 2023-13-10, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraphs (j) and (n) of this AD, after the existing 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 2022-0085 or EASA AD 2023-0008, as applicable. (j) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program From AD 2024-04-03, With New Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2024-04-03, with new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before May 12, 2023: 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 2023-0151, dated July 25, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0151). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (n) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (k) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0151, With No Changes This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (h) of AD 2024-04-03, with no changes. (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0151. (2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0151 specifies "Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved AMP," this AD requires replacing that text with "Within 90 days after April 19, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-04-03), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable." (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0151 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0151, or within 90 days after April 19, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-04-03), whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0151. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0151. (l) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 2024-04-03, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2024-04-03, with no changes. Except as required by paragraph (n) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) 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 2023-0151. (m) Retained Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2023-13-10, With No Changes This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (j) of AD 2024-04-03, with no changes. Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the corresponding requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for the tasks identified in the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0151 only. (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 2024-0031, dated January 31, 2024; corrected February 1, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0031). 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 2024-0031 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0031. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0031 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 2024-0031 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0031, 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), (5), and (6) of EASA AD 2024-0031. (5) This AD does not require incorporating Section 4, "Damage Tolerant-Airworthiness Limitations Items-tasks beyond MPPT," of "the ALS" specified in EASA AD 2024-0031. (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0031. (p) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (n) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2024-0031. (q) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (r) of this AD and email 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 2023-13-10 and AD 2024-04-03 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0031 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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. (r) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3667; email: [email protected]. (s) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following material was approved for IBR on March 21, 2025. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0031, dated January 31, 2024; corrected February 1, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following material was approved for IBR on April 19, 2024 (89 FR 18769, dated March 15, 2024). (i) EASA AD 2023-0151, dated July 25, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (5) The following material was approved for IBR on September 5, 2023 (88 FR 50005, dated August 1, 2023). (i) EASA AD 2022-0085, dated May 12, 2022. (ii) EASA AD 2023-0008, dated January 16, 2023. (6) For EASA material identified in this AD 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 material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (7) You may view this material 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. (8) 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 February 4, 2025. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02645 Filed 2-13-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P