Proposed Rule2026-10381
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
May 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-25-06, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A319-111, - 112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, - 232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by expanding the applicability and definition of an affected part. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30511-30514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10381]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1353; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00236-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-25-06, which applies to all
Airbus SAS Model A318 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -
232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX,
-272NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by
expanding the applicability and definition of an affected part. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the
NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by July 10, 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-2025-1353; 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 SNPRM, 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#68292c1b280d091b09460d1d1a071809460d1d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bafbfec9fadfdbc9db94dfcfc8d5cadb94dfcf">[email protected]</span></a>. 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-2025-1353.
<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: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97f3f6f9b9e5f8f3fef9f6d7f1f6f6b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afcbcec181ddc0cbc6c1ceefc9cece81c8c0d9">[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-2025-1353;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00236-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 SNPRM.
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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, it is important that you clearly designate
the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission
[[Page 30512]]
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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4024212e6e322f24292e21002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="482c2926663a272c212629082e2929662f273e">[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 2024-25-06, Amendment 39-22908 (89 FR 100734,
December 13, 2024) (AD 2024-25-06), for all Airbus SAS Model A318 and
A320 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -
132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112,
-131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N,
-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. AD 2024-
25-06 requires repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG)
door actuators and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable
corrective actions, and prohibits the installation of affected parts.
The FAA issued AD 2024-25-06 to address incorrectly assembled MLG door
actuators, which, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the
extension of the MLG, possibly resulting in significant damage to the
airplane and potentially causing a fire that would involve emergency
evacuation of the passengers.
The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to
supersede AD 2024-25-06 that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model A318
and A320 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -
131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; and Model A321-111,
-112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -
272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2025 (90 FR
30024). The NPRM was prompted by an MCAI issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued EASA AD 2024-0216, dated November 15, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0216),
to correct an unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to continue to
require the actions in AD 2024-25-06 and added a new requirement to
replace affected parts with serviceable parts.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, EASA superseded EASA AD 2024-0216
with EASA AD 2025-0158, dated July 21, 2025, which in turn was revised
by EASA AD 2025-0158R1, dated September 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0158R1)
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that after EASA AD
2024-0216 was issued, the service information was revised to expand the
list of serial numbers for the affected part, and that the
applicability has been expanded to include new certified Airbus SAS
Model A321-271NY airplanes, on which affected parts could be installed
in service. The MCAI also added Airbus SAS Model A319-173N airplanes to
the applicability.
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-2025-1353.
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Airbus. The following
presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.
Request To Revise Inconsistent Language
Airbus requested that the FAA replace certain references to the MLG
actuator and MLG door with the term, MLG door actuator, to align the
NPRM with the MCAI and referenced material.
The FAA agrees and has revised this SNPRM accordingly.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specifies procedures for repetitive inspections
for any discrepancy of each affected MLG door actuator, replacement of
affected parts if any discrepancy is detected, and eventual replacement
of all affected parts with serviceable parts. Discrepancy is defined as
any MLG door actuator that does not meet all the results specified in
the table in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the material referenced in EASA AD
2025-0158R1. EASA AD 2025-0158R1 also prohibits the installation of
affected parts. EASA AD 2025-0158R1 also specifies replacement of each
affected part with a serviceable part, on the airplane, terminates the
repetitive inspections.
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 SNPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the SNPRM. As a
result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.
Proposed Requirements of This SNPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0158R1 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,933 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (retained from AD 2024- 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 per inspection $328,610 per
25-06). per hour = $170. cycle. inspection cycle.
Replacement of MLG door actuator. 3 work-hours x $85 9,324 $9,579............. $18,516,207.
per hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 30513]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any on-condition
replacements that would be required based on the results of any
required or optional actions. The FAA has no way of determining the
number of airplanes that might need this on-condition replacement:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacement of MLG Door Actuator
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.... $9,324 $9,919
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) 2024-25-06, Amendment 39-22908
(89 FR 100734, December 13, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2025-1353; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
00236-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 10, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2024-25-06, Amendment 39-22908 (89 FR
100734, December 13, 2024) (AD 2024-25-06).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
(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, -271NX, -
272NX, -253NY, and -271NY airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to
open, the main landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance
operations. Investigations identified that certain MLG door
actuators may not have been assembled correctly. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address this condition, which, if not detected and
corrected, could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly
resulting in significant damage to the airplane, and potentially
causing a fire that will involve emergency evacuation of the
passengers.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0158R1, dated September 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0158R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0158R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0158R1 refers to August 4, 2025 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0158, dated July 21, 2025), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 refers to
November 22, 2024 (the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0216, dated
November 15, 2024), this AD requires using the effective date of
this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0158R1 defines a serviceable part as an
``MLG door actuator, eligible for installation in accordance with
Airbus instructions, which is not an affected part'', this AD
requires replacing that text with ``MLG door actuator, eligible for
installation, which is not an affected part''.
(4) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specify
to accomplish an inspection ``in accordance with the instructions of
the AOT'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``in accordance
with step 5.6.2 of the instructions of the AOT''.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specifies ``any
discrepancy on an affected MLG door (1 or 2) is detected, as defined
in the AOT'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any MLG
door actuator that does not meet all the results specified in the
table in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the referenced AOT''.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0158R1.
(i) No Reporting or Return of Parts Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0158R1
specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
[[Page 30514]]
(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 (k) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abeae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6b7bbb9b5b6909797d8919980">[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
paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0158R1 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone: 206-231-3225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d696c63237f626964636c4d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4b0b5bafaa6bbb0bdbab594b2b5b5fab3bba2">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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 2025-0158R1,
dated September 12, 2025.
(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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a1b1e291a3f3b293b743f2f28352a3b743f2f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c78683b487a2a6b4a6e9a2b2b5a8b7a6e9a2b2">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 <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#5b3d29753235282b3e382f3234351b353a293a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c6a0b4e8afa8b5b6a3a5b2afa9a886a8a7b4a7e8a1a9b0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 20, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10381 Filed 5-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 26, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.