FAA to Airbus Fleet: Time for Safety Rule Refresh
Published Date: 2/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for many Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes to fix a safety issue. This update adds new requirements, so the FAA is asking for public feedback by April 4, 2025. Airlines flying these models should get ready for possible extra work and costs to keep their planes safe and flying.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New inspections and repairs required for Airbus A320 family
The FAA proposes new airworthiness requirements for many Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 models to address cracks in the double joggle areas at frame (FR) 16 and FR20. The rule would require repetitive special detailed inspections, applicable on-condition repairs, and adds airplanes to the applicability; public comments on the proposal are due April 4, 2025.
Estimated per-airplane and total compliance costs
The FAA estimates required actions could take up to 55 work-hours at $85 per hour, costing up to $4,675 per airplane, and affecting 1,755 U.S.-registered airplanes for a total estimated cost of up to $8,204,625. The FAA also estimates an optional terminating action would cost about 60 work-hours ($5,100) plus $1,624 parts, for $6,724 per airplane.
Detected cracks must be repaired before further flight
If any cracking is detected during required inspections, the SNPRM requires that the cracking be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520 (FAA), or EASA, or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) with an authorized signature.
Completing AD actions can stop certain recurring ALI tasks
For the airplanes identified in the AD, accomplishing the required AD actions will terminate airworthiness limitation item (ALI) Tasks 531153-02-1, 531153-02-2, 531155-02-1, and 531155-02-2 as required by paragraph (o) of AD 2023-13-10.
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Key Dates
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