Rule2025-02038
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 31, 2025
Effective
March 7, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19- 02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes. AD 2022-19-02 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD-2022-19-02, and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8663-8667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02038]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0770; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00039-T;
Amendment 39-22913; AD 2024-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-
02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS
[[Page 8664]]
Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model
A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes. AD 2022-19-02 required revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD
was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require
certain actions in AD-2022-19-02, and requires revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 7, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 7,
2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0770; 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
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a3b3e093a1f1b091b541f0f08150a1b541f0f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e7f7a4d7e5b5f4d5f105b4b4c514e5f105b4b">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0770.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3229; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cbbda7aaafa2a6a2b9e5bea7b2aaa5a4bd8badaaaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6809a97929f9b9f84d8839a8f97989980b6909797d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171 (87 FR
68891, November 17, 2022) (AD 2022-19-02). AD 2022-19-02 applied to
certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series
airplanes; and Model A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes. AD 2022-19-02
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2022-19-02 to address the
failure of system components, which could reduce the controllability of
the airplane.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2024 (89 FR
22358). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0014) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations
have been developed.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require certain
actions in AD 2022-19-02, and to require revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD
2024-0014. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the failure of system
components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the
controllability of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0770.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Delta Air Lines (Delta). The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each relevant comment.
Request To Supersede Two ADs for Certain Airplanes
Delta requested that the FAA supersede FAA AD 2013-16-11, Amendment
39-17549 (78 FR 52405, August 23, 2013) (AD 2013-16-11) and FAA AD
2013-22-02, Amendment 39-17634 (78 FR 65187, October 31, 2013) (AD
2013-22-02) for the Airbus SAS Model A330-300 series airplanes in their
applicability, since the actions in the proposed AD would duplicate the
requirements of those ADs. Delta noted that the proposed AD would
continue to require certain actions in AD 2022-19-02 and would require
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations,
specifically, Airbus A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9, dated October 2, 2023,
(A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9) as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014. Delta
added that the A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9 includes two new tasks that
duplicate the requirements in AD 2013-16-11 and AD 2013-22-02,
providing an equivalent level of safety. Delta noted that those FAA ADs
did not IBR the corresponding EASA ADs mentioned in the two new tasks.
Delta stated that FAA AD 2013-16-11 requires a trimmable horizontal
stabilizer actuator (THSA) ball screw shaft integrity test in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A330-27-3191, dated June 7, 2012, while task 274400-
00006-1-E of A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9 requires that integrity check
with the same compliance time and gives credit for the last inspection
using that service information. Delta added that FAA AD 2013-22-02
requires repetitive inspections of the gaps between the screw shaft and
the tie rod teeth of the THSA in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-27-3179,
Revision 01, while task 274400-00005-1-E requires those inspections
with the same compliance time and gives credit for the last inspection
using that service information.
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request because AD 2013-16-
11 and AD 2013-22-02 are applicable not only to Airbus SAS Model A330-
300 series airplanes, but also to Model A340-200 and -300 series
airplanes fitted with THSAs having specific part numbers. The A330 ALS
Part 4 Revision 9 tasks are applicable to THSAs with Part Number (P/N)
47147-710, while FAA AD 2013-16-11 is applicable to any THSAs with P/N
47147-500 or P/N 47147-700, and FAA AD 2013-22-02 requires inspection
of any THSA having P/N 47147-500 or P/N 47147-700. Furthermore,
compliance times and corrective actions, including the replacement of
the affected part, are more detailed in the ADs than in the A330 ALS
Part 4 Revision 9. Additionally, EASA did not terminate or supersede
EASA ADs 2012-0061R1,
[[Page 8665]]
dated November 30, 2012 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2013-22-02) and
2012-0210, dated October 11, 2012 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2013-16-
11). The FAA has not changed this AD as a result of this comment.
Additional Changes Made to This Final Rule
The FAA revised the Costs of Compliance Section of this final rule
to include the estimated costs of retained actions, which were
inadvertently omitted from the NPRM.
The FAA also added paragraph (m) of this AD to specify terminating
action for certain other ADs and added those ADs to paragraph (b) of
this AD. The FAA intended to carry over this terminating action from AD
2022-19-02.
The FAA also removed paragraph (m)(3) of the proposed AD, which
related to using service information with required for compliance (RC)
tagging, since the required service information does not use RC
tagging.
Conclusion
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 this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the
comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial
changes, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted
as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0014. This material specifies new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and
safe life limits.
This AD also requires EASA AD 2021-0250, dated November 17, 2021,
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation
by reference as of December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 140 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained
actions from AD 2022-19-02 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. 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.
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171
(87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2024-25-11 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22913; Docket No. FAA-2024-0770;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00039-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 7, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
(1) This AD replaces AD 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171 (87 FR
68891, November 17, 2022) (AD 2022-19-02).
(2) This AD affects AD 2014-16-22, Amendment 39-17946 (79 FR
49442, August 21, 2014) (AD 2014-16-22).
(3) This AD affects AD 2017-25-13, Amendment 39-19127 (82 FR
59960, December 18, 2017) (AD 2017-25-13).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before October 2, 2023.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
and -343 airplanes.
(4) Model A330-841 airplanes.
(5) Model A330-941 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the failure of system
[[Page 8666]]
components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection
Program, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD
2022-19-02, with no changes. For airplanes with an original
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before July 1, 2021, 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 2021-0250, dated November 17,
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0250). Accomplishing the revision of the existing
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0250, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph
(p) of AD 2022-19-02, with no changes.
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0250 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using December 22, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-
19-02).
(2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA
AD 2021-0250 do not apply to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0250 specifies to ``revise the
AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, within 90 days after December 22, 2022 (the effective
date of AD 2022-19-02).
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA 2021-0250 is at the applicable ``limitations
and associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0250, or within 90 days after December
22, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-19-02), whichever occurs
later.
(5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA
AD 2021-0250 do not apply to this AD.
(6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0250 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, and Intervals With No
Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (q) of AD
2022-19-02, with no changes. Except as specified in paragraph (j) of
this AD: After the existing maintenance or inspection program has
been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref.
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2021-0250.
(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0014). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance
or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0014
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0014.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014 specifies revising ``the
AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014 is at the applicable
``limitations'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3)
of EASA AD 2024-0014, or within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0014.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0014.
(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref.
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2024-0014.
(m) Terminating Action for AD 2014-16-22 and AD 2017-25-13
(1) Accomplishing the action required by task number 213100-
00001-1-E of ``the ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2021-0250 or ``the
ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014, within the compliance time
specified for that task terminates all requirements of AD 2014-16-
22, for Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series
airplanes only.
(2) Accomplishing the action required by task number 274400-
00004-1-E of ``the ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2021-0250 or ``the
ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014, within the compliance time
specified for that task terminates all requirements of AD 2017-25-13
for Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series
airplanes only.
(n) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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 manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (o) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d3c30323e3d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bafbf7f5f9fadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[email protected]</span></a>. 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, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety 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.
(o) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3229; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4a2b8b5b0bdb9bda6faa1b8adb5babba294b2b5b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e58424f4a4743475c005b42574f4041586e484f4f00494158">[email protected]</span></a>.
(p) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
March 7, 2025.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0014,
dated January 10, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).
(i) EASA AD 2021-0250, dated November 17, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For EASA AD 2024-0014 and EASA AD 2021-0250, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47060334072226342669223235283726692232"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9b9ea99abfbba9bbf4bfafa8b5aabbf4bfaf">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(6) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
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.
(7) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a>, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#80e6f2aee9eef3f0e5e3f4e9efeec0eee1f2e1aee7eff6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe988cd097908d8e9b9d8a979190be909f8c9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 8667]]
Issued on December 13, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02038 Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 31, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.