[4910-13-P]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1155; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00655-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N,
and A321-253NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a stress analysis on the
engine structure that indicated that the fail-safe lug may not be able to sustain, during one
inspection interval as currently specified in an airworthiness limitations item, the loads
deriving from the engagement of the secondary load path within that inspection interval
for the aft engine mount system. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed
inspections of the aft engine mount and secondary load path clearance fail-safe pin and
replacement of the engine if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by [INSERT DATE 45
DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
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 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 that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; Internet 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 206231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1155.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-1155; 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
NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
“Docket No. FAA-2022-1155; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00655-T” at the beginning
of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, 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
proposal 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 regulations.gov, including any personal
information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
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 NPRM
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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email

dan.rodina@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.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0089, dated May 17, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0089)
(also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model
A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, and A321-253NX
airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a weakness identified by the manufacturer in
the design of the CFM LEAP-1A aft engine mount waiting fail-safe male lug on the
engine side. During a stress analysis on the engine structure, CFM discovered that the
fail-safe lug may not be able to sustain, during one inspection interval, as currently
specified in airworthiness limitation item (ALI) task 712232-01-1, the loads deriving
from the engagement of the secondary load path within that inspection interval for the aft
engine mount system. Consequently, the inspection interval must be reduced accordingly
in order to meet the predicted life of the fail-safe lug. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address potential failure of the LEAP-1A aft engine mount waiting fail-safe male lug,
which could lead to engine mount rupture, possibly resulting in engine loss during flight
and loss of control of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0089 specifies procedures for repetitive detailed inspections
(DET) for discrepancies of the aft engine mount and secondary load path clearance failsafe pin for each engine, and replacement of any engine with discrepant findings on the
secondary load path clearance check.

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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in
other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA
AD 2022-0089 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions
in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the
FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs.
The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2022-0089 by reference in the FAA final
rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2022-0089
in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the
same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2022-0089 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 EASA AD 2022-0089. Service information required by EASA AD 20220089 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-1155 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 156 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated costs for required actions
Labor cost

Parts cost

Cost per product

Cost on U.S. operators

Up to 4 work-hours
X $85 per hour =
$340

$0

Up to $340

Up to $53,040

The FAA estimates that it would take 64 work-hours (at $85 per work-hour) to
replace an engine, if required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has
received no definitive data on which to base the estimate for the cost of a replacement
engine or any necessary additional on-condition actions that would be required by this
proposed AD. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might
need these on-condition actions.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA
proposes to amend 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:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2022-1155; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00655-T.

(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by
[INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER].
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, and A321-253NX airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a stress analysis on the engine structure that indicated
that the fail-safe lug may not be able to sustain, during one inspection interval, as
currently specified in airworthiness limitation item (ALI) task 712232-01-1, the loads
deriving from the engagement of the secondary load path within that inspection interval
for the aft engine mount system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential failure
of the LEAP-1A aft engine mount waiting fail-safe male lug, which could lead to engine
mount rupture, possibly resulting in engine loss during flight and 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) AD 2022-0089, dated May 17, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0089).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0089
(1) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0089 specifies corrective action if
“discrepancies are detected, as defined in the SB,” for purposes of this AD, discrepancies
include a fail safe pin that does not rotate freely, or has damage (dents, scratches, nicks,
corrosion, or cracks).
(2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0089 does not apply to this AD.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 (j)(2) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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 Airbus SAS’s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2022-0089, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; Internet
easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website atad.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. This material may be found in
the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-20221155.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email
dan.rodina@faa.gov.
Issued on September 2, 2022.

Christina Underwood, Acting Director,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2022-19442 Filed: 9/9/2022 8:45 am; Publication Date: 9/12/2022]