FAA Spots Cracks in Airbus Cargo Doors, Orders Rototests
Published Date: 8/27/2026
Rule
Summary
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fatigue test that identified cracks in the forward and aft upper corner of the bulk cargo door. This AD requires a rototest inspection for cracks and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
On-condition repair and grounding rule
If any crack is detected during the inspection, the AD requires the crack be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the FAA Manager AIR-520, EASA, or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval. If no crack is detected, the AD calls for modifying the affected area by cold working the fastener holes as specified. The AD notes on-condition repairs must follow approved instructions and may require contacting the manufacturer.
Mandatory rototest inspections
If you operate the listed Airbus A320 or A321 models with an extended service goal, you must perform a rototest inspection for cracks in the forward and aft upper corner of the bulk cargo door (sections 16 and 17, LH and RH). This AD takes effect October 1, 2026 and requires following EASA AD 2025-0193 procedures (with the AD's stated exceptions) for inspections and on-condition actions to address the unsafe condition.
Estimated compliance cost
The FAA estimates the required rototest inspection will take 4 work-hours at $85/hour, costing $340 per airplane. The FAA estimates this AD affects 1,069 U.S.-registered airplanes, for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $363,460.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-17553, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a Boeing investigation for manufacturing errors and excessive preload forces at the lower side of body (SOB) splice plates common to the lower outboard wing skins. That investigation concluded that shim gaps may have exceeded engineering allowances, and high pull up forces on the components may cause fatigue cracks to form at the fastener holes. This AD requires, depending on configuration, repetitive ultrasonic (UT) inspections at certain splice plates, rear spar terminal fittings, lower chords, front spar terminal fittings, and jack pads for any cracks; repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of certain splice plates for any cracks; and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-17551, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-25- 06, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, - 133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, - 251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. AD 2024- 25-06 required repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) door actuators and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibited the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-05-06, the FAA determined that replacing the MLG door actuators is necessary to address the unsafe condition, and the applicability and definition of an affected part must be expanded. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2024-25-06, requires replacing affected parts with serviceable parts, and expands the applicability and definition of an affected part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-17259, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance Approval of Information Collection of Renewed: FAA Acquisition Management System (FAAAMS)
The FAA is renewing its information collection for the FAA Acquisition Management System (FAAAMS), which helps manage contracts for supplies and services. This affects businesses working with the FAA and ensures smooth contract handling. Comments on this process are open until October 26, 2026, with no new costs expected, just a continued effort to keep things running well.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17551, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-25- 06, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, - 133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, - 251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, -272NX, and -253NY airplanes. AD 2024- 25-06 required repetitive inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) door actuators and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibited the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-05-06, the FAA determined that replacing the MLG door actuators is necessary to address the unsafe condition, and the applicability and definition of an affected part must be expanded. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2024-25-06, requires replacing affected parts with serviceable parts, and expands the applicability and definition of an affected part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Next: 2026-17553, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a Boeing investigation for manufacturing errors and excessive preload forces at the lower side of body (SOB) splice plates common to the lower outboard wing skins. That investigation concluded that shim gaps may have exceeded engineering allowances, and high pull up forces on the components may cause fatigue cracks to form at the fastener holes. This AD requires, depending on configuration, repetitive ultrasonic (UT) inspections at certain splice plates, rear spar terminal fittings, lower chords, front spar terminal fittings, and jack pads for any cracks; repetitive detailed inspections (DET) of certain splice plates for any cracks; and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.