Proposed Rule2025-03940
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
March 18, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-03-14, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2020-03-14 requires an inspection of affected crew oxygen cylinder assemblies for any discrepancy and replacement of discrepant crew oxygen cylinder assemblies with serviceable parts, and allows installation of affected parts under certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-03-14, the supplier introduced an improved oxygen cylinder assembly, that will ensure the correct function of the system. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-03-14 and would require replacement of all affected parts with redesigned parts and would also prohibit the installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12501-12504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03940]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0343; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00562-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020-03-14, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes. AD 2020-03-14 requires an inspection of affected crew oxygen
cylinder assemblies for any discrepancy and replacement of discrepant
crew oxygen cylinder assemblies with serviceable parts, and allows
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. Since the FAA
issued AD 2020-03-14, the supplier introduced an improved oxygen
cylinder assembly, that will ensure the correct function of the system.
This
[[Page 12502]]
proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-03-14 and
would require replacement of all affected parts with redesigned parts
and would also prohibit the installation of affected parts, as
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which
is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 May 2,
2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0343; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f1b0b582b194908290df9484839e8190df9484"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8b9bc8bb89d998b99d69d8d8a978899d69d8d">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-0343.
<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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-
3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b6f6a652579646f62656a4b6d6a6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89ede8e7a7fbe6ede0e7e8c9efe8e8a7eee6ff">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0343;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00562-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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, 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, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e3a3f30702c313a37303f1e383f3f70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84e0e5eaaaf6ebe0edeae5c4e2e5e5aae3ebf2">[email protected]</span></a>. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2020-03-14, Amendment 39-19839 (85 FR 11282,
February 27, 2020) (AD 2020-03-14), for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941
and -1041 airplanes. AD 2020-03-14 was prompted by an MCAI originated
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-0168, dated July 16, 2019 (EASA AD
2019-0168), to correct an unsafe condition.
AD 2020-03-14 requires an inspection of affected crew oxygen
cylinder assemblies for any discrepancy and replacement of discrepant
crew oxygen cylinder assemblies with serviceable parts, and AD 2020-03-
14 allows installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The
FAA issued AD 2020-03-14 to address loss of retention of the regulator
inlet filter retainer on certain crew oxygen cylinder assemblies. This
condition could lead to particle ingestion into the regulator during
ground handling, possibly resulting in ignition/fire during system
ground operational testing.
Actions Since AD 2020-03-14 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-03-14, EASA superseded EASA AD 2019-
0168 and issued EASA AD 2024-0186, dated September 24, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0186) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The
MCAI states that the supplier introduced an improved oxygen cylinder
assembly having part number (P/N) 4441227-058-002, to ensure the
correct function of the system.
The FAA is proposing 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-2025-0343.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2020-03-14, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2020-03-14. Those requirements are referenced in
EASA AD 2024-0186, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0186 specifies procedures for an inspection of each
crew oxygen cylinder assembly for any discrepancy (a loose part making
a sound during agitation of the cylinder), replacement of any affected
crew oxygen cylinder with a serviceable part, and eventual replacement
of each affected part with a redesigned part. EASA AD 2024-0186 also
prohibits the installation of affected parts. 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
[[Page 12503]]
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 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 2024-0186 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 2024-0186 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0186 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 2024-0186 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 2024-
0186. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0186 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-0343 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 33 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Retained actions from AD 1 work-hour x $85 $0 $85................ $2,805.
2020[dash]03[dash]14. per hour = $85.
New proposed actions............ Up to 15 work-hours 12,800 Up to $14,075...... Up to $464,475.
x $85 per hour =
$1,275.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $6,940 $7,790
$850.............................
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According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this
proposed 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
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
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 12504]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-03-14, Amendment 39-19839
(85 FR 11282, February 27, 2020) and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2025-0343; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00562-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 2, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-03-14, Amendment 39-19839 (85 FR 11282,
February 27, 2020) (AD 2020-03-14).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by loss of retention of the regulator inlet
filter retainer on certain crew oxygen cylinder assemblies. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address loss of retention of the regulator
inlet filter retainer on certain crew oxygen cylinder assemblies.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in particle
ingestion into the regulator during ground handling, possibly
resulting in ignition/fire during system ground operational testing.
(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
2024-0186, dated September 24, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0186).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0186
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0186 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0186 refers to July 30, 2019 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0168), this AD requires using April
2, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-03-14).
(3) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0186 state
``the instructions of the AOT,'' this AD requires replacing that
text with ``paragraph 4.2.2., Inspection Requirements, of the AOT.''
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0186 specifies to
``inspect each affected part,'' this AD requires replacing that text
with ``do a one-time inspection of any affected part that is
installed on-wing.''
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0186 specifies if ``any
discrepancy is detected, as defined in the AOT,'' this AD requires
replacing those words with ``any loose part making a sound during
agitation of the cylinder is detected.''
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0186.
(i) No Reporting and No Return of Parts Requirements
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0186 specifies
to submit certain information and send removed parts to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements.
(j) 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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7e6eae8e4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="490804060a092f2828672e263f">[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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in
EASA AD 2024-0186 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those
paragraphs, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d292c23633f222924232c0d2b2c2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ce8ede2a2fee3e8e5e2edcceaededa2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 2024-0186,
dated September 24, 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#0e4f4a7d4e6b6f7d6f206b7b7c617e6f206b7b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="db9a9fa89bbebaa8baf5beaea9b4abbaf5beae">[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#dbbda9f5b2b5a8abbeb8afb2b4b59bb5baa9baf5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ea8c98c48384999a8f899e838584aa848b988bc48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 7, 2025.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03940 Filed 3-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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