2026-18-03: 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-18-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23458; Docket No. FAA-2026-8793; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00772-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 18, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4), certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2026-0142, dated July 20, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0142). (1) Model A318-112 airplanes. (2) Model A319-115, -132, and -133 airplanes. (3) Model A320-214, -216, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes. (4) Model A321-211, -213, -231, -271N, -251NX, -253NX, and -271NX airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a quality escape identified in the production assembly line on the main landing gear (MLG) support rib 5 lugs, which resulted in tool mark damage in the bore of the forward and aft lugs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue damage of the MLG support rib 5, which could result in structural failure and subsequent collapse of the MLG. (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 2026-0142. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0142 (1) Where EASA AD 2026-0142 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2026-0142. (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2026-0142 specifies "discrepancies, as defined in the AOT, are detected", this AD requires replacing that text with "any discrepancy is detected". (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2026-0142. (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: AMOC@faa.gov . 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 2026-0142 that 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 Andrew Younglove, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3644; email: Andrew.E.Younglove@faa.gov. (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 2026-0142, dated July 20, 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 ADs@easa.europa.eu. 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on August 27, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-18052 Filed 9-1-26; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P