Rule2025-02134
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
February 4, 2025
Effective
March 11, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-16- 06, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, and A330-900 series airplanes; and all Model A340- 200 and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2022-16-06 required modifying the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) installation, implementing the electrical load sensing device (ELSD) wiring provisions, and installing and activating the ELSD. This AD was prompted by tests that demonstrated that when the upper secondary load path (SLP) of the THSA is engaged, the THSA might not stall, with consequently no indication of SLP engagement, and by the recent determination that the required actions of AD 2022-16-06 cannot be accomplished on certain airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-16-06 with revised procedures, and also requires additional actions for certain airplanes, 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
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 22 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8901-8903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02134]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1294; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00042-T;
Amendment 39-22921; AD 2024-26-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-16-
06, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200
Freighter, A330-300, and A330-900 series airplanes; and all Model A340-
200 and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2022-16-06 required modifying the
trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) installation,
implementing the electrical load sensing device (ELSD) wiring
provisions, and installing and activating the ELSD. This AD was
prompted by tests that demonstrated that when the upper secondary load
path (SLP) of the THSA is engaged, the THSA might not stall, with
consequently no indication of SLP engagement, and by the recent
determination that the required actions of AD 2022-16-06 cannot be
accomplished on certain airplanes. This AD continues to require the
actions in AD 2022-16-06 with revised procedures, and also requires
additional actions for certain airplanes, 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 11, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 11,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1294; 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#36777245765357455718534344594657185343"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4e5e0d7e4c1c5d7c58ac1d1d6cbd4c58ac1d1">[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-2024-1294.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 206-231-3229; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#06506a67626f6b6f7428536a7f676869704660676728616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="42142e23262b2f2b306c172e3b232c2d34022423236c252d34">[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 2022-16-06, Amendment 39-22135 (87 FR
51588, August 23, 2022) (AD 2022-16-06). AD 2022-16-06 applied to
certain Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -
243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941
airplanes; and all Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
airplanes. AD 2022-16-06 required modifying the THSA installation,
implementing the ELSD wiring provisions, and installing and activating
the ELSD. The FAA issued AD 2022-16-06 to address damage on the upper
THSA SLP attachment with consequent mechanical disconnection of the
THSA, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2024 (89 FR
41365). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0016, dated January 11, 2024,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0016) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI states it has been determined that the actions specified in
EASA AD 2022-0039 cannot be accomplished on certain affected airplanes.
Airbus subsequently developed additional instructions and corrections
for the procedures. In certain circumstances, there may be no
indication to the flightcrew of the engagement of the upper SLP of the
THSA. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to damage on the
upper THSA SLP attachment with consequent mechanical disconnection of
the THSA, resulting in loss of control of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require modifying the
THSA installation, implementing the ELSD wiring provisions, and
installing and activating the ELSD, as specified in FAA AD 2022-16-06
and EASA AD 2022-0039, with revised procedures and additional actions,
as specified in EASA AD 2024-0016. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1294.
[[Page 8902]]
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Delta Air Lines
(Delta). The following presents that comment and the FAA's response.
Request for Clarification of Mandatory Service Information
The proposed AD would adopt EASA AD 2024-0016, which requires
certain actions in accordance with a specific revision of Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-27-3237, depending on the airplane serial number,
and allows use of later-approved revisions. Delta requested that the
FAA clarify the effect of any potential changes, including rework, that
are proposed to be included in the forthcoming Revision 03 of Service
Bulletin A330-27-3237. According to Delta, Airbus has indicated that
Revision 03 will require additional work for any airplane modified by
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3237, Revision 01, dated June 20, 2023,
or Revision 02, dated February 9, 2024. Delta added that Airbus planned
to issue Revision 03 by the end of June 2024.
The FAA provides the following clarification. Revision 03 of Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-27-3237 has not been released by Airbus. EASA has
informed the FAA of ongoing discussions with Airbus regarding the scope
of additional work, the timeline for release of Revision 03 of that
service bulletin, and a potential revision to EASA AD 2024-0016. If
EASA issues a new AD because it is determined that additional work is
needed to address the unsafe condition, then the FAA may consider
further rulemaking at that time. This AD requires accomplishing the
actions specified in EASA AD 2024-0016. The specific revisions of the
service bulletins referenced in EASA AD 2024-0016, as well as later-
approved revisions of those service bulletins, are acceptable methods
of compliance for accomplishing the requirements of this AD. If an
operator elects to use a later-approved revision of a service bulletin,
then all the actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in
that service bulletin must be accomplished, unless alternative actions
are approved under the provisions of paragraph (i) of this AD. The FAA
has not changed this AD as a result of this comment.
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, 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
EASA AD 2024-0016 specifies procedures for installing and
activating the ELSD and wiring provisions, and doing additional work
that includes additional instructions and corrections for certain
airplanes. 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 120 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Retained actions from AD 57 work-hours x Up to $23,000..... Up to $27,845..... Up to $3,341,400.
2022[dash]16[dash]06. $85 per hour =
$4,845.
New actions..................... 5 work-hours x $85 $43,966........... $44,391........... Up to $5,326,920.
per hour = $425.
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According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in the cost estimate.
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,
[[Page 8903]]
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) 2022-16-06, Amendment 39-22135
(87 FR 51588, August 23, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2024-26-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22921; Docket No. FAA-2024-1294;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00042-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 11, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-16-06, Amendment 39-22135 (87 FR 51588,
August 23, 2022) (AD 2022-16-06).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-
0016, dated January 11, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0016).
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by tests that demonstrated that when the
upper secondary load path (SLP) of the trimmable horizontal
stabilizer actuator (THSA) is engaged, the THSA might not stall,
with consequently no indication of SLP engagement, and by the recent
determination that the required actions of AD 2022-16-06 cannot be
accomplished on certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent damage on the upper THSA SLP attachment with consequent
mechanical disconnection of the THSA, that could result in 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, EASA AD 2024-0016.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0016
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0016 refers to ``22 March 2022 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0039],'' this AD requires using
September 27, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-16-06).
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0016 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0016 applies to
airplanes in ``Group 1,'' this AD requires replacing that text with
``Group 1 airplanes, except as specified in paragraph (3)''.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0016.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation 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
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8b9b5b7bbb89e9999d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1e0eceee2e1c7c0c08fc6ced7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-16-06 are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0016 that are
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(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, 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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3229; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9bf85888d8084809bc7bc85908887869fa98f8888c78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c395afa2a7aaaeaab1ed96afbaa2adacb583a5a2a2eda4acb5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0016,
dated January 11, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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#1554516655707466743b7060677a65743b7060"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90d1d4e3d0f5f1e3f1bef5e5e2ffe0f1bef5e5">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
(5) 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#7b1d09551215080b1e180f1214153b151a091a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="197f6b3770776a697c7a6d7076775977786b78377e766f">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 28, 2025.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02134 Filed 2-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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