EASA AD No.: 2014-0209

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2014-0209

Date: 19 September 2014

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 EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.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].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s):

A319, A320, and A321 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.064

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 53 Fuselage – Centre Fuselage Forward Pressure Bulkhead –

Reinforcement

Manufacturer(s): Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131,

A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, 

A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, 

A321-212, A321-213, A321-231 and A321-232 aeroplanes, all manufacturer 

serial numbers.

Reason: During the A320 fatigue test campaign for Extended Service Goal (ESG), it was 

determined that fatigue damage could develop on the forward pressure 

bulkhead at Frame (FR) 35 on left hand (LH) side and right hand (RH) side.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the structural integrity 

of the aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, a reinforcement modification was 

developed, which has been published through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) 

A320-53-1268 for in-service application to allow aeroplanes to operate up to the 

new ESG limit.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires reinforcement of the centre 

fuselage forward pressure bulkhead at FR35.

Effective Date: 03 October 2014
EASA AD No.: 2014-0209

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Before exceeding 48 000 flight cycles or 96 000 flight hours, whichever 

occurs first since aeroplane first flight, modify the aeroplane by reinforcing

the forward pressure bulkhead at FR35 stringer 30 on both LH and RH 

side in accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A320-53-1268 

Revision 01.

(2) Modification of an aeroplane before the effective date of this AD, in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus SB A320-53-1268 at original 

issue, is acceptable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of 

this AD.

Ref. Publications: Airbus SB A320-53-1268 original issue dated 08 January 2013, or Revision 01 

dated 23 July 2013.

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 01 July 2014 as PAD 14-110 for consultation until 

29 July 2014. The Comment Response Document can be found at 

http://ad.easa.europa.eu.

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

Section, Certification 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.