Proposed Rule2026-08290
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 29, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-16-12, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, - 171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, - 251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes. AD 2025-16-12 requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) and the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL), allows replacement of each affected high-pressure bleed valve (HPV) as an optional terminating action, and prohibits the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-16-12, the FAA has determined repetitive replacement of the HPV clips is necessary to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2025-16-12 and would require repetitive replacement of each affected HPV clip. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23025-23028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08290]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01426-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2025-16-12, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, -
171N, and -173N airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N,
and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -
251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes. AD
2025-16-12 requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM)
and the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL), allows
replacement of each affected high-pressure bleed valve (HPV) as an
optional terminating action, and prohibits the installation of affected
parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-16-12, the FAA has determined
repetitive replacement of the HPV clips is necessary to address the
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the
actions in AD 2025-16-12 and would require repetitive replacement of
each affected HPV clip. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 15,
2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ecfcafdceebeffdefa0ebfbfce1feefa0ebfb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6425201724010517054a0111160b14054a0111">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 23026]]
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It
is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-3874.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d492a6b5babffa97b5a6a6b1a6b5a794b2b5b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8be8a999693d6bb998a8a9d8a998bb89e9999d69f978e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-3874;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01426-T'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Frank
Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#edab9f8c8386c3ae8c9f9f889f8c9ead8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="682e1a090603462b091a1a0d1a091b280e0909460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-23110 (90 FR 39102,
August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)) (AD 2025-16-
12), for all Airbus SAS Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N
airplanes; Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N
airplanes; and Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -
252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes. AD 2025-
16-12 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2025-0096, dated April 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0096), to
correct an unsafe condition. The MCAI states that occurrences were
reported of HPV butterfly seal retention clip rupture, which causes the
butterfly seals to no longer be retained in the butterfly groove. This
may increase internal leakage, triggering an alert that the HPV has
failed in the open condition. It may also release foreign object
debris, which could damage the systems (e.g., engine bleed air system
and pneumatic system) downstream from the HPV on the engine pylon and
wing.
The FAA issued AD 2025-16-12 to address high pressure and
temperatures in the duct downstream from the pressure regulating valve,
which could lead to duct burst and result in damage to several systems
or the airframe and consequent loss of control of the airplane. AD
2025-16-12 requires revising the existing AFM and the existing FAA-
approved MEL, allows replacement of each affected HPV as an optional
terminating action, and prohibits the installation of affected parts.
Actions Since AD 2025-16-12 Was Issued
EASA AD 2025-0096 specifies to repetitively replace each affected
HPV clip with another affected HPV clip. In the preamble to AD 2025-16-
12, the FAA explained that adopting the repetitive replacement was
considered, but the compliance times in EASA AD 2025-0096 for the
repetitive replacement would allow enough time to provide the public
the opportunity to comment on the merits of that requirement. Since the
FAA issued AD 2025-16-12, the FAA has determined that repetitive
replacement of the affected HPV clips is necessary to address the
unsafe condition.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-3874.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2025-16-12, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2025-16-12. Those requirements are referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0096, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
This proposed AD would require EASA AD 2025-0096, which the
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of August 29, 2025 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025;
corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)). This material is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing AFM to
incorporate a temporary revision that provides the operational
procedures the flight crew must apply in the case of an engine bleed
overpressure; revising the existing FAA-approved MEL to provide
dispatch procedures associated with the unsafe condition; and
repetitively replacing each affected HPV clip with another affected HPV
clip. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected
parts. This proposed AD would allow replacement of each affected HPV as
an optional terminating action for the
[[Page 23027]]
AFM and MEL revisions and repetitive replacement of the HPV clips.
Compliance With AFM and MEL Revisions
EASA AD 2025-0096 requires operators to ``inform all flight crew''
of revisions to the AFM and MEL, and thereafter to ``operate the
aeroplane accordingly.'' However, this AD does not specifically require
those actions as those actions are already required by FAA regulations.
FAA regulations require operators furnish to pilots any changes to the
AFM (for example, 14 CFR 121.137), and to ensure the pilots are
familiar with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505). As with any other
flightcrew training requirement, training on the updated AFM content is
tracked by the operators and recorded in each pilot's training record,
which is available for the FAA to review. FAA regulations also require
pilots to follow the procedures in the existing AFM including all
updates. Section 91.9 requires that any person operating a civil
aircraft must comply with the operating limitations specified in the
AFM. Section 121.628(a)(2) requires operators to provide pilots with
access to all the information contained in the operator's MEL.
Furthermore, 14 CFR 121.628(a)(5) requires airplanes to be operated
under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the
operator's MEL. Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to
operate the airplane according to the revised AFM and MEL would be
redundant and unnecessary.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to retain the incorporation by reference (IBR) of EASA AD
2025-0096. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2025-0096 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0096 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-
0096. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0096 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-3874 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 554 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2025-16-12...... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $170 $94,180
= $170.
New proposed actions..................... 5 work-hours x $85 per hour 383 808 447,632
= $425.
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Estimated Costs for Optional Terminating Action
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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32 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,720 $2,800 $5,520
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-
[[Page 23028]]
23110 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR
40964)); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2026-3874; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
01426-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by June 15, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2025-16-12, Amendment 39-23110 (90 FR 39102,
August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR 40964)) (AD 2025-
16-12).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes.
(2) Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N
airplanes.
(3) Model A321-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX,
-253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 36, Pneumatic.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by occurrences of high-pressure bleed valve
(HPV) butterfly seal retention clip rupture. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address high pressure and temperatures in the duct downstream
from the pressure regulating valve, which could lead to duct burst
and result in damage to several systems or the airframe and
consequent loss of 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
2025-0096, dated April 28, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0096).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0096
(1) Where paragraphs (1) and (6.2) of EASA AD 2025-0096 refer to
its effective date, this AD requires August 29, 2025 (the effective
date of AD 2025-16-12).
(2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0096 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(3) Where paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA AD 2025-0096 specify to
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as those
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and (a)(5)).
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0096 specifies to
``implement the instructions of the MMEL update, as applicable,
depending on aeroplane configuration (see Note 1 of this AD), on the
basis of which the operator's MEL must be amended'', this AD
requires replacing that text with ``revise the operator's existing
FAA-approved MEL by incorporating the applicable information
identified in ``The MMEL update'' as defined in EASA AD 2025-0096''.
(5) Where the service information required by EASA AD 2025-0096
specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts
from service.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0096.
(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)(1) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#20616d6f63604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b6a6664686b4d4a4a054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 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.
(j) Additional Information
(1) 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aee8dccfc0c580edcfdcdccbdccfddeec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8eedac9c6c386ebc9dadacddac9dbe8cec9c986cfc7de">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For Airbus material identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness
Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex,
France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0a1a3a3afb5aeb4eea1a9b2b7afb2b4a8eda5a1b380fca1e0a8b2a5a6fd" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">account.airworth-eas@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
(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.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on August 29,
2025 (90 FR 39102, August 14, 2025; corrected August 22, 2025 (90 FR
40964)).
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0096,
dated April 28, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e7a6a394a782869486c9829295889786c98292"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1d5c596e5d787c6e7c3378686f726d7c337868">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(5) 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.
(6) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f19783df989f8281949285989e9fb19f908390df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddbbaff3b4b3aeadb8bea9b4b2b39db3bcafbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 24, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08290 Filed 4-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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