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...
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1353; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00236-T; Amendment 39-23447; AD 2026-17-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
( printed page 55245)
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
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.
DATES:
This AD is effective October 1, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publications listed in this AD as of October 1, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket:
You may examine the AD docket at
regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2025-1353; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; emailADs@easa.europa.eu.
You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available atregulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2025-1353.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; email:
dan.rodina@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-25-06, Amendment 39-22908 (89 FR 100734, December 13, 2024) (AD 2024-25-06). AD 2024-25-06 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A320 series airplanes; 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 MLG door actuators and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibited the installation of affected parts. The FAA issued AD 2024-25-06 to address incorrectly assembled MLG door actuators, which, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly resulting in significant damage to the airplane, and potentially causing a fire that would involve emergency evacuation of the passengers.
AD 2024-25-06 was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0216, dated November 15, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0216), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. In the preamble to AD 2024-25-06, the FAA explained it was considering further rulemaking to require replacement of each affected MLG door actuator with a serviceable part to terminate the repetitive inspections, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0216. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register
on July 8, 2025 (90 FR 30024). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's determination that replacement of affected MLG door actuators is necessary to address the unsafe condition. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in AD 2024-25-06 and require replacing affected parts with serviceable parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0216.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-25-06. The SNPRM was published in the
Federal Register
on May 26, 2026 (91 FR 30511). The SNPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0158, dated July 21, 2025, which in turn was revised by EASA AD 2025-0158R1, dated September 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0158R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that after EASA AD 2024-0216 was issued, the service information was revised to expand the list of serial numbers for the affected part, and that the applicability has been expanded to include new certified Airbus SAS Model A321-271NY airplanes, on which affected parts could be installed in service. The MCAI also added Airbus SAS Model A319-173N airplanes to the applicability. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in AD 2024-25-06. The SNPRM also proposed to require replacing affected parts with serviceable parts and expand the applicability and the definition of an affected part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at
regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2025-1353.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the SNPRM without change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
( printed page 55246)
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specifies procedures for repetitive inspections for any discrepancy of each affected MLG door actuator, replacement of affected parts if any discrepancy is detected, and eventual replacement of all affected parts with serviceable parts. Discrepancy is defined as any MLG door actuator that does not meet all the results specified in the table in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0158R1. EASA AD 2025-0158R1 also prohibits the installation of affected parts. EASA AD 2025-0158R1 also specifies that replacement of each affected part with a serviceable part, on the airplane, terminates the repetitive inspections.
This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES
section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,933 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Cost on
U.S. operators
Inspection (retained from AD 2024-25-06)
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170
$0
$170 per inspection cycle
$328,610 per inspection cycle.
Replacement of MLG door actuator
3 work-hours × 85 per hour = 255
9,324
$9,579
$18,516,207.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any on-condition replacements that would be required based on the results of any required or optional actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need this on-condition replacement:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacement of MLG Door Actuator
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost
per product
7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595
$9,324
$9,919
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to open, the main landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance operations. Investigations identified that certain MLG door actuators may not have been assembled correctly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly resulting in significant damage to the airplane, and potentially causing a fire that will involve emergency evacuation of the passengers.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0158R1, dated September 12, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0158R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0158R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0158R1 refers to August 4, 2025 (the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0158, dated July 21, 2025), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 refers to November 22, 2024 (the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0216, dated November 15, 2024), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0158R1 defines a serviceable part as an “MLG door actuator, eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus instructions, which is not an affected part”, this AD requires replacing that text with “MLG door actuator, eligible for installation, which is not an affected part”.
(4) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specify to accomplish an inspection “in accordance with the instructions of the AOT”, this AD requires replacing that text with “in accordance with step 5.6.2 of the instructions of the AOT”.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specifies “any discrepancy on an affected MLG door (1 or 2) is detected, as defined in the AOT”, this AD requires replacing that text with “any MLG door actuator that does not meet all the results specified in the table in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the referenced AOT”.
(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2025-0158R1.
(i) No Reporting or Return of Parts Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0158R1 specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1)
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs):
The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2)
Contacting the Manufacturer:
For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3)
Required for Compliance (RC):
Except as required by paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0158R1 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; email:
dan.rodina@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0158R1, dated September 12, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
ADs@easa.europa.eu.
You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
91 FR 55245
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes,” thefederalregister.org (August 27, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-17551/airworthiness-directives-airbus-sas-airplanes.
14 CFR part 39
49 U.S.C. 106(g)
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations