Airplane Wing Inspection and Repair Requirements

Summary

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14- 10, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2022-14-10 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the radius of the front spar vertical stringers and the horizontal floor beam on a certain frame (FR), repetitive inspections for cracking of the fastener holes of the front spar vertical stringers on that frame, and repair if necessary. AD 2022-14-10 also provided, for certain airplanes, a modification of the center wing box area that terminates the repetitive inspections under certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-10, an additional airplane model has been identified that is also subject to the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-14-10 and adds Model A321-271N airplanes to the applicability, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Compliance Requirements

1. #1

   Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0205; Where EASA AD 2023-0205 refers to '22 November 2021 [the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0241],' this AD requires using August 19, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-14-10); Where EASA AD 2023-0205 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD; Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies 'if any crack is found, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved corrective action instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly,' this AD requires replacing that text with 'if any crack is found, the crack must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation 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.'; Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies actions for airplanes repaired 'in accordance with instructions approved by EASA or approved under the authority of Airbus Design Organization Approval (DOA) privileges,' this AD requires replacing that text with 'using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.'; Where paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0205 specifies approval 'by Airbus DOA,' this AD requires replacing that text with 'by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.'; For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation 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; If any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as Required for Compliance (RC), those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD

   Deadline: Within compliance times specified in EASA AD 2023-0205

Market Impacts

• Mandatory airworthiness directive requiring repetitive inspections and potential repairs for Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes to address fatigue cracking of front spar vertical stringers on wings; Requires specific approval processes for repairs and modifications - must be approved by FAA Manager, International Validation Branch; EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval with authorized signature; Mandates specific inspection methodologies including special detailed inspections, high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections, and rototest inspections of fastener holes

Validated Company Impacts