8302 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD No. 2020–0199, dated September 

24, 2020. You may view the EASA AD on the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov in 

Docket No. FAA–2020–1177. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20–011, 

Revision C, dated October 5, 2020. 

(ii) Guimbal Service Bulletin SB 20–012, 

Revision B, dated October 5, 2020. 

(3) For Guimbal service information 

identified in this AD, contact He ́licopte`res 

Guimbal, Basile Ginel, 1070, rue du 

Lieutenant Parayre, Ae ́rodrome d’Aix-enProvence, 13290 Les Milles, France; 

telephone 33–04–42–39–10–88; email 

basile.ginel@guimbal.com; web https://

www.guimbal.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 

Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: 

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on January 19, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–02532 Filed 2–3–21; 2:00 pm] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0024; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00105–T; Amendment 

39–21421; AD 2021–03–18] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault 

Aviation Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

report of deviations concerning the 

assembly and overhaul of certain crew 

oxygen mask stowage boxes, including 

incorrect application of a certain threadlocker on the fitting sensor screws. This 

AD requires an inspection of certain 

crew oxygen mask stowage boxes for 

discrepancies, and replacement if 

necessary, as specified in a European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

AD, which is incorporated by reference. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 22, 2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of February 22, 2021. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by March 22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For material incorporated by reference 

(IBR) in this AD, contact the EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view this IBR 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 in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0024. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0024; 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 AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 

Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large 

Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3226; email 

tom.rodriguez@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E, dated 

January 25, 2021 (EASA Emergency AD 

2021–0036–E) (also referred to as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or the MCAI), to correct an 

unsafe condition for all Dassault 

Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

deviations concerning the assembly and 

overhaul of certain crew oxygen mask 

stowage boxes, including incorrect 

application of Loctite 222 thread-locker 

on the fitting sensor screws. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address such 

deviations, which could lead to blocked 

oxygen supply flow to flight deck crew 

oxygen masks. In combination with inflight depressurization, flight deck 

smoke, or a smoke evacuation 

procedure, this lack of oxygen may lead 

to flightcrew hypoxia and loss of useful 

consciousness and consequent loss of 

control of the airplane. See the MCAI for 

additional background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA Emergency AD 2021–0036–E 

describes procedures for an inspection 

(test) of crew oxygen mask stowage 

boxes having part number CSD30–005– 

X–X (‘X’ can represent any 

alphanumeric value) for discrepancies 

(an inability to clearly hear oxygen 

flowing out of the mask during a 

functional test or see that the yellow 

blinker on the stowage box does not 

illuminate), and replacement. 

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. 

FAA’s Determination 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

FAA’s bilateral agreement with the State 

of Design Authority, the FAA has been 

notified of the unsafe condition 

described in the MCAI referenced 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 8303 

above. The FAA is issuing this AD 

because the FAA evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Requirements of This AD 

This AD requires accomplishing the 

actions specified in EASA Emergency 

AD 2021–0036–E described previously, 

as incorporated by reference, except for 

any differences identified as exceptions 

in the regulatory text of this AD. 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA initially worked with 

Airbus and EASA to develop a process 

to use certain EASA ADs as the primary 

source of information for compliance 

with requirements for corresponding 

FAA ADs. The FAA has since 

coordinated with other manufacturers 

and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to 

use this process. As a result, EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E is 

incorporated by reference in this final 

rule. This AD, therefore, requires 

compliance with EASA Emergency AD 

2021–0036–E in its entirety, through 

that incorporation, except for any 

differences identified as exceptions in 

the regulatory text of this AD. Using 

common terms that are the same as the 

heading of a particular section in the 

EASA AD does not mean that operators 

need comply only with that section. For 

example, where the AD requirement 

refers to ‘‘all required actions and 

compliance times,’’ compliance with 

this AD requirement is not limited to 

the section titled ‘‘Required Action(s) 

and Compliance Time(s)’’ in the EASA 

AD. Service information specified in 

EASA Emergency AD 2021–0036–E that 

is required for compliance with EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E is 

available on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0024. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD without providing an opportunity 

for public comments prior to adoption. 

The FAA has found that the risk to the 

flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because deviations during the 

assembly and overhaul of certain crew 

oxygen mask stowage boxes could lead 

to blocked oxygen supply flow to flight 

deck crew oxygen masks, which, in 

combination with in-flight 

depressurization, flight deck smoke, or 

a smoke evacuation procedure, may lead 

to flightcrew hypoxia and loss of useful 

consciousness and consequent loss of 

control of the airplane. In addition, the 

compliance time for the required action 

is shorter than the time necessary for the 

public to comment and for publication 

of the final rule. Therefore, the FAA 

finds good cause that notice and 

opportunity for prior public comment 

are impracticable. In addition, for the 

reasons stated above, the FAA finds that 

good cause exists for making this 

amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed under 

ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0024; Project Identifier MCAI– 

2021–01005–T’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the final 

rule, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this final rule 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this final rule. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this AD contain 

commercial or financial information 

that is customarily treated as private, 

that you actually treat as private, and 

that is relevant or responsive to this AD, 

it is important that you clearly designate 

the submitted comments as CBI. Please 

mark each page of your submission 

containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA 

will treat such marked submissions as 

confidential under the FOIA, and they 

will not be placed in the public docket 

of this AD. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Tom Rodriguez, 

Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 

206–231–3226; email tom.rodriguez@

faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 

The requirements of the RFA do not 

apply when an agency finds good cause 

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule 

without prior notice and comment. 

Because the FAA has determined that it 

has good cause to adopt this rule 

without notice and comment, RFA 

analysis is not required. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 133 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

1 work-hours × $85 per hour = $85 ............................................................................................ $0 $85 $11,305 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary on-condition 

action that would be required based on 

the results of any required actions. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of aircraft that might need this 

on-condition action: 


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8304 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 

Up to 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $255 (per mask stowage box) ................................................... $8,427 Up to $8,682. 

According to the manufacturer, some 

or all of the costs of this AD may be 

covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

operators. The FAA does not control 

warranty coverage for affected operators. 

As a result, the FAA has included all 

known costs in the cost estimate. 

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 

The FAA determined that 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: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

and 

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as 

follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2021–03–18 Dassault Aviation: 

Amendment 39–21421; Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0024; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00105–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective February 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation 

Model FALCON 7X airplanes, certificated in 

any category. 

Note 1 to paragraph (c): Model FALCON 

7X airplanes include those that have 

embodied Dassault modification (mod) 

M1000 (commercially known as Falcon 8X) 

in production. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 35, Oxygen. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

deviations concerning the assembly and 

overhaul of certain crew oxygen mask 

stowage boxes, including incorrect 

application of Loctite 222 thread-locker on 

the fitting sensor screws. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address such deviations, which 

could lead to blocked oxygen supply flow to 

flight deck crew oxygen masks, which, in 

combination with in-flight depressurization, 

flight deck smoke, or a smoke evacuation 

procedure, may lead to flightcrew hypoxia 

and loss of useful consciousness and 

consequent loss of control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2021– 

0036–E, dated January 25, 2021 (EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2021– 

0036–E 

(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2021– 

0036–E refers to its effective date, this AD 

requires using the effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E specifies 

actions if ‘‘any discrepancy is detected,’’ for 

this AD a ‘‘discrepancy’’ is defined as an 

inability to clearly hear oxygen flowing out 

of the mask during a functional test or see 

that the yellow blinker on the stowage box 

does not illuminate. 

(3) Although the service information 

referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2021– 

0036–E specifies that certain actions may be 

accomplished by a pilot, this AD does not 

allow that provision. 

(4) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA 

Emergency AD 2021–0036–E does not apply 

to this AD. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2021– 

0036–E specifies to submit certain 

information to the manufacturer, this AD 

does not include that requirement. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation 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 Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-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, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or Dassault Aviation’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(k) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 8305 

fax 206–231–3226; email tom.rodriguez@

faa.gov. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) Emergency AD 2021–0036–E, dated 

January 25, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA Emergency AD 2021–0036– 

E, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 

3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 

221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

Internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find 

this EASA AD on the EASA website at 

https://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. This material may be found 

in the AD docket on the internet at https:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0024. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@

nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/ 

federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on February 1, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–02478 Filed 2–3–21; 2:00 pm] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0015; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00014–T; Amendment 

39–21408; AD 2021–03–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, 

and A321 series airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by a report that following 

accomplishment of tap tests on certain 

modified rudders, disbonding of the 

rudder was found close to the lightning 

protection plate. This AD requires 

inspections of the left- and right-hand 

rudder side shells for defects, and 

applicable corrective actions, as 

specified in a European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 

incorporated by reference. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 22, 2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of February 22, 2021. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by March 22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For material incorporated by reference 

(IBR) in this AD, contact the EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view this IBR 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 in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0015. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0015; 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 AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3223; email 

Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2021–0002, dated January 6, 2021 

(EASA AD 2021–0002) (also referred to 

as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or the 

MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 

for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series 

airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; 

Model A320–211, –212, –214, –215, 

–216, –231, –232, –233, –251N, –252N, 

–253N, –271N, –272N and –273N 

airplanes; and Model A321 series 

airplanes. Model A320–215 airplanes 

are not certified by the FAA and are not 

included on the U.S. type certificate 

data sheet; this AD therefore does not 

include those airplanes in the 

applicability. 

This AD was prompted by a report 

that following accomplishment of tap 

tests on rudders that were modified 

using the procedures in previously 

issued service information (Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–55–1052 dated 

July 28, 2017, Revision 01, dated 

January 28, 2015, and Revision 02, 

dated July 11, 2019, or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A320–55–1059, dated March 8, 

2018), disbonding of the rudder was 

found close to the lightning protection 

plate. Investigation results determined 

that those procedures may lead to 

inadequate curing of the affected part 

after modification. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address disbonding of the 

rudder, which could result in reduced 

structural integrity of the rudder, and 

consequent reduced controllability of 

the airplane. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0002 describes 

procedures for a one-time general visual 

inspection and a special detailed 

inspection (woodpecker or tap test) of 

the left- and right-hand rudder side 

shells for defects (including bulging, 

waviness, and disbonding) and 

applicable corrective actions. The 

corrective actions include 

accomplishing a special detailed 

inspection of any affected part with 

defects and a temporary and eventual 

permanent repair of the defects. EASA 

AD 2021–0002 also prohibits 

modification of a rudder using the 

procedures in previously issued service 

information. This material is reasonably 


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