FAA · Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A321-211, - 212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, - 271N, -272N, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This emergency AD was prompted by an uncommanded and limited pitch down event that occurred on an Airbus A320 airplane, where the autopilot remained engaged with a brief and limited loss of altitude. This emergency AD requires replacement or modification of each affected elevator aileron computer (ELAC). The emergency AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts on certain airplane configurations. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. The FAA is issuing this emergency AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Applicability
Aircraft makes and models this AD applies to, sorted by US-registered fleet size.
Federal Register text
Verbatim from the Federal Register publication — required actions, compliance times, parts/serial numbers, and methods of compliance. The Federal Register is the legally binding document; this rendering is for readability. Cite: 91 FR 199.
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 199-202] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-24242]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5395; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01770-T; Amendment 39-23223; AD 2025-24-51] RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319 and A320 series airplanes; and Model A321-211, - 212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, - 271N, -272N, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This emergency AD was prompted by an uncommanded and limited pitch down event that occurred on an Airbus A320 airplane, where the autopilot remained engaged with a brief and limited loss of altitude. This emergency AD requires replacement or modification of each affected elevator aileron computer (ELAC). The emergency AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts on certain airplane configurations. The FAA previously sent an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. The FAA is issuing this emergency AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 6, 2026. Emergency AD 2025-24-51, issued on November 28, 2025, which contains the requirements of this amendment, was effective with actual notice. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 6, 2026. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by February 19, 2026.
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. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5395; 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 street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email airbus.com">[email protected]; website airbus.com. 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; email [email protected]. 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 at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-5395.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Knaup, Manager, AIR-520,
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Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 817-222-5390; email: [email protected].