Federal Register #2026-10799

FAA Airworthiness Directives for Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 and Boeing 747 Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, has issued new airworthiness directives (ADs) targeting specific Airbus and Boeing aircraft models to address safety concerns: - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch - OEMs and Vendors: - Airbus SAS (primary OEM for A318, A319, A320, A321) - The Boeing Company (OEM for 747 series) - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) referenced for compliance materials - Products/Services Requested: - For Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321: - Repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs), rototest or high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of fasteners and fastener holes - On-condition repairs as needed to maintain structural integrity - Referenced under EASA AD 20250078 - Estimated up to 1,474 airplanes affected - For Boeing 747 series: - Repetitive detailed inspections of SATCOM high gain antenna adapter plates for corrosion - On-condition actions to prevent system part detachment - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Compliance with EASA airworthiness directive materials - Ongoing, repetitive inspection intervals as specified by EASA and FAA - Estimated compliance cost per affected Airbus airplane: $5,355 - No specific part numbers for Boeing inspections; focus is on process and safety compliance - Directives are not procurement solicitations but regulatory requirements for continued airworthiness - Locations: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, Des Moines, WA - FAA Headquarters, Washington, DC - U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Operations, Washington, DC - EASA, Cologne, Germany (for reference and compliance)

Description

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the detection of a deviation from the manufacturing process during a review of the cold working process in the assembly line. It requires repetitive special detailed inspections and rototest or high frequency eddy current inspections of affected fasteners and fastener holes, along with applicable on-condition actions. The AD addresses an unsafe condition related to fastener and fastener hole integrity to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.

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