# 2026-00430: Airbus Planes Face Fastener Hole Probes for Safety

2026-00430, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-12, effective The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 26, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00430
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00430
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 1101
- Published: 2026-01-12
- Effective: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 26, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Airbus Planes Face Fastener Hole Probes for Safety

## Summary

The FAA wants certain Airbus A319, A320, and A321 planes to get regular checks on some fastener holes because a manufacturing step didn’t go as planned. These inspections will catch cracks early and keep flights safe. Airlines need to comment by February 26, 2026, and be ready for these inspections, which might cost some time and money but keep everyone flying safely.

## Abstract

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, - 132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321- 211, -212, -213, -231,-232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, - 253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a review of the cold working process on the assembly line that detected a deviation to the manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for the nominal design condition of the fastener holes in the pressure deck membrane to center wing box attachment and, as applicable, an inspection for cracking at the affected area and corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory Inspections for Certain Airbus: cost, medium. The FAA proposes required repetitive inspections of fastener holes in the pressure deck membrane to center wing box attachment on specified Airbus A319, A320, and A321 models to detect cracking and require corrective actions. The rule incorporates EASA AD 2025-0066 by reference and applies to the l…
- FAA Cost Estimate to U.S. Operators: cost, medium. The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 477 U.S.-registered airplanes. The FAA estimates up to 76 work-hours at $85/hour plus up to $183 in parts for a cost per airplane of up to $6,643, and a total cost on U.S. operators of up to $3,168,711. On-condition rototest inspection is estimated at…
- Improved Flight Safety from Inspections: benefit, medium. The proposed inspections are intended to catch crack initiation and propagation early in the affected area so the structural integrity of the airplane is preserved and flights remain safe. The FAA states the inspections address an unsafe manufacturing deviation that could reduce fatigue life of the…

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## Sources
- [2026-00430 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00430/airworthiness-directives-airbus-sas-airplanes)
- [2026-00430 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00430.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00430 (as of 2026-06-11).