AD NUMBER: 2018-17-19

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, - 232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary.

This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.

DATES: This AD is effective October 5, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates  that this AD affects 1,250 airplanes of U.S. registry. The cost of compliance is estimated as follows: Revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this number may vary from operator to operator.

In the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the estimated total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

FMI: AD