2026-09-17: 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) 2025-03-07, Amendment 39-22955 (90 FR 9592, February 14, 2025); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2026-09-17 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23339; Docket No. FAA-2025-2552; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00623-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 18, 2026. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2025-03-07, Amendment 39-22955 (90 FR 9592, February 14, 2025) (AD 2025-03-07). (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 November 4, 2024. (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes. (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N 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, -253NY, -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 the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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, With a New Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2025-03-07, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before November 6, 2023: 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 2024-0047, dated February 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0047). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0047, With no Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2025-03-07, with no changes. (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0047. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0047 specifies revising "the 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 March 21, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2025-03-07). (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0047 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0047, or within 90 days after March 21, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2025-03-07), whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0047. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0047. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2025-03-07, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) 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), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2024-0047. (j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program 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 2025-0033, dated February 10, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0033). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (k) New Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0033 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0033. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0033 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 2025-0033 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0033, 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 2025-0033. (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0033. (l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) 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 2025-0033. (m) 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 (n) of this AD and email to: [email protected] . (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. (n) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3553; email: [email protected]. (o) 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 June 18, 2026. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0033, dated February 10, 2025. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following material was approved for IBR on March 21, 2025 (90 FR 9592, February 14, 2025). (i) EASA AD 2024-0047, dated February 19, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (6) 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. (7) 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 May 1, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-09663 Filed 5-13-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P