EASA AD No : 2011-0229

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2011-0229

Date: 06 December 2011

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Type Approval Holder’s Name :

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s) :

A320 and A321 aeroplanes

TCDS Number : EASA.A.064

Foreign AD : Not applicable

Supersedure : None

ATA 53 Fuselage – Forward Fuselage Frame (FR) 24 – Inspection / Repair

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A320-214, A320-216, A320-232, A320-233, A321-211, A321-213 and 

A321-231 aeroplanes, manufacturer serial number (MSN) 4338, 4371, 4374, 

4375, 4377, 4381 to 4384 inclusive, 4386, 4387, 4388, 4390 to 4402 inclusive,

4404 to 4409 inclusive, 4411 to 4417 inclusive, 4419, 4420, 4421, 4423, 4424, 

4426, 4429 to 4436 inclusive, 4438 to 4443 inclusive, 4445 to 4450 inclusive, 

4453, 4454, 4456 to 4469 inclusive, 4471, 4472, 4474 to 4481 inclusive, 4483 

to 4498 inclusive, 4500, 4504, 4505, 4506 and 4509.

Reason: During a quality check in production of an A320 family aeroplane, it was 

discovered that a fastener was missing at FR 24 between stringer (STRG) 25 

and STRG 26 on the right-hand (RH) side. The purpose of the missing fastener, 

a 4 mm diameter aluminium rivet, Part Number (P/N) ASNA2050DXJ040, is to

connect the FR 24 to the FR 24 Tee. The hole where the fastener was missing 

was not drilled.

Further investigations revealed that the drilling was missing on the milling grid 

used for frame assembly of a limited group of aeroplanes.

This condition, if not corrected, could impair the structural integrity of the 

affected aeroplanes.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires a special detailed inspection 

(SDI) of the affected area, and the accomplishment of the associated corrective 

actions.

Effective Date: 20 December 2011
EASA AD No : 2011-0229

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Before the accumulation of 24 000 flight cycles (FC) since the aeroplane

first flight, accomplish an SDI for cracks of the two adjacent fastener holes 

at FR 24 between STRG 25 and STRG 26 RH side in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320-53-1247.

(2) If, during the SDI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, no crack is 

found, before the accumulation of 24 000 FC since the aeroplane first 

flight, accomplish the corrective actions (repair) in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus SB A320-53-1247.

(3) If, during the SDI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any crack is 

found, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved repair instructions 

and accomplish those instructions accordingly.

Ref. Publications: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1247 original issue, dated 15 July 2011.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks : 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 03 November 2011 as PAD 11-113 for consultation 

until 01 December 2011. No comments were received during the 

consultation period.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: AIRBUS – Airworthiness Office – EIAS,

Fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; E-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com.