FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for A320 Series

‍DALLAS – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) that affects multiple Airbus aircraft models, including the A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. 

This directive, AD 2024-25-12, was prompted by concerns over the structural integrity of the nose landing gear (NLG) on aircraft modified for operations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The list contains 37 Airbus SAS aircraft models. These aircraft belong to the A319, A320, and A321 families, which are part of the Airbus A320 series. The A320 series is known for its efficiency and widespread use in commercial aviation.

The A319 models include variants from A319-111 to A319-153N, totaling 10 aircraft. The A320 models range from A320-211 to A320-273N, amounting to 13 aircraft. Lastly, the A321 models, spanning from A321-211 to A321-272NX, include 14 variants.

The aforementioned aircraft cover classic and neo configurations, offering different performance and capacity enhancements for airlines worldwide. The FAA estimates that approximately 1,680 aircraft registered in the U.S. are affected by this directive.

Background, Reason for the AD

A design review and reassessment of fatigue and damage tolerance determined that specific NLG components may not meet safety standards due to prior modifications intended for CIS operations. 

The FAA's analysis indicates that these components could fail if left unaddressed, potentially damaging the aircraft and putting passengers and crew at risk.

The directive was developed in response to a similar regulation issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), AD 2024-0022. It mandates the inspection, repair, or replacement of affected NLG parts and restricts the future installation of these components unless they comply with new safety standards.

Compliance Requirements

Aircraft operators must comply with the directive by March 7, 2025. The AD applies to all affected Airbus models, regardless of their current operational location. Compliance includes:

• Inspection of NLG components for signs of structural fatigue or damage.
• Repair or replacement of affected parts as specified in EASA AD 2024-0022.
• Restrictions on future installations of specific NLG components unless they meet updated safety criteria.

The FAA determined that this AD is necessary under its authority to ensure aviation safety and aligns with international safety agreements between the FAA and EASA. 

The AD states that the directive does not impose significant regulatory burdens on small businesses or affect state or local aviation policies. The AD does not entail an overtly significant cost to airlines, with "the cost of parts could be as high as $5,620 per airplane."

Operators must comply with the directive by reviewing EASA AD 2024-0022 and ensuring their aircraft meet the required safety standards. FAA and EASA resources provide additional information and reference materials.

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