Airbus planes get crack checks—FAA safety as usual
Published Date: 2/4/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is requiring certain Airbus A319, A320, and A321 planes to get special inspections for cracks near the main landing gear. This comes after tests found potential cracking that could be unsafe. Airlines must start these checks by March 11, 2025, to keep flights safe, with ongoing inspections and fixes as needed—no big cost surprises, just smart safety moves.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections for certain Airbus jets
If you operate certain Airbus A319, A320, or A321 airplanes listed in EASA AD 2024-0089, you must begin repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) of the main landing gear (MLG) bay rear skin panel at Frame 46 and Stringer 32 starting March 11, 2025, and perform corrective actions (including crack repair) as required. This FAA AD incorporates EASA AD 2024-0089 by reference and replaces the EASA effective date with the FAA effective date.
Estimated inspection cost to U.S. operators
The FAA estimates this AD affects 1,857 U.S.-registered airplanes. The agency estimates the labor cost per inspection cycle is 3 work-hours × $85/hour = $255 per airplane, for a total estimated cost on U.S. operators of $473,535 per inspection cycle; on-condition (repair) costs were not estimated.
No manufacturer reporting required
Although EASA AD 2024-0089 asks operators to submit certain information to the manufacturer, the FAA AD explicitly does not include any requirement to submit those reports. Operators do not need to send the EASA-specified reports to the manufacturer under this FAA AD.
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