2026-11-04: Stabilizers

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-11-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23365; Docket No. FAA-2026-4645; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00451-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 15, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by aeroelastic stability assessments that indicate that reduced stability margins may exist due to accumulation of additional mass from rudder repainting or repairs. This condition, if not addressed, could, in combination with a rudder actuator disconnection, result in potential risk of flutter, possibly leading to reduced control 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2026-0083, dated April 22, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0083). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0083 (1) Where EASA AD 2026-0083 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2026-0083. (3) The service information specified in EASA AD 2026-0083 specifies to report results to Airbus within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) If the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD were done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (ii) If the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD were done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. (i) 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 (j) of this AD and email 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, 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. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0083 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: [email protected]. (k) 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. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2026-0083, dated April 22, 2026. (ii) [Reserved] (3) 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. (4) 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. (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 May 21, 2026. Lona C. Saccomando, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-10800 Filed 5-27-26; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P