Proposed Rule2025-10934
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
June 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-25-09, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340- 200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2023-25-09 requires replacing SafeLav gaseous oxygen containers (SLGOCs) affected by a production deficiency and prohibiting the installation of affected SLGOCs. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-25-09, a new airplane model has been certified, on which affected parts could be installed in service. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-25-09 and would add airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25520-25523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10934]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1104; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00622-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2023-25-09, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320,
A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-
200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2023-25-09
requires replacing SafeLav gaseous oxygen containers (SLGOCs) affected
by a production deficiency and prohibiting the installation of affected
SLGOCs. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-25-09, a new airplane model has
been certified, on which affected parts could be installed in service.
This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-25-09
and would add airplanes to the applicability. 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 August 1,
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-2025-1104; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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#6425201724010517054a0111160b14054a0111"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd8c89be8da8acbeace3a8b8bfa2bdace3a8b8">[email protected]</span></a>. 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-2025-1104.
<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: Nicole S. Tsang, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3959; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4907202a26252c671a671d3a28272e092f2828672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3edcac0cccfc68df08df7d0c2cdc4e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5">[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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1104;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00622-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
Nicole S. Tsang, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3959; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#357b5c565a59501b661b6146545b52755354541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83cdeae0ecefe6add0add7f0e2ede4c3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[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.
[[Page 25521]]
Background
The FAA issued AD 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636 (89 FR 242,
January 3, 2024) (AD 2023-25-09), for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319,
A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900,
A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2023-
25-09 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2023-0094, dated May 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0094), to correct
an unsafe condition.
AD 2023-25-09 requires replacing affected SLGOCs and prohibiting
the installation of affected SLGOCs. The FAA issued AD 2023-25-09 to
address missing heat treatment of the actuation pin of the SLGOC, which
could cause its jamming, with consequent failure of oxygen flow
activation. This condition, if not corrected, could prevent
supplemental oxygen supply in case of decompression in the cabin/
lavatory, possibly resulting in injury to lavatory occupants.
Actions Since AD 2023-25-09 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-25-09, EASA superseded EASA AD 2023-
0094 and issued EASA AD 2024-0197, dated October 18, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0197) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Airbus SAS Model:
<bullet> A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes;
<bullet> A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N,
-153N, and -171N airplanes;
<bullet> A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N,
-252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes;
<bullet> A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N,
-251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and
-272NX airplanes;
<bullet> A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -
302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, and -941
airplanes; and
<bullet> A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, -542, -642,
and -643 airplanes.
Model A320-215, A340-542, and A340-643 airplanes are not
certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type
certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those
airplanes in the applicability.
The MCAI states a new Model, A321-253NY, has been certified, on
which affected parts could be installed in service.
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-2025-1104.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2023-25-09, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2023-25-09. Those requirements are referenced in
EASA AD 2024-0197, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0197, which specifies procedures for
replacing affected SLGOCs and prohibiting the installation of affected
SLGOCs. 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
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority 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 2024-0197 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 2024-0197 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0197 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 2024-0197 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-
0197. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0197 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-1104 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 2,018 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2023-25-09 2 work-hours x $85 per $4,570 $4,740 $9,309,360
(1,964 airplanes). hour = $170.
New proposed actions (54 airplanes)... 2 work-hours x $85 per 4,570 4,740 255,960
hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 25522]]
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(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636
(89 FR 242, January 3, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2025-1104; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00622-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 1, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636 (89 FR 242,
January 3, 2024) (AD 2023-25-09).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -
272N, and -272NX airplanes.
(5) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, and -941
airplanes.
(6) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that a production deficiency of
some SafeLav gaseous oxygen container (SLGOC) batches was identified
during production testing of newly manufactured oxygen containers,
and by the determination that additional airplanes are affected by
the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing
heat treatment of the actuation pin of the SLGOC, which could cause
its jamming, with consequent failure of oxygen flow activation. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in lack of
supplemental oxygen supply in case of decompression in the cabin/
lavatory, possibly resulting in injury to lavatory occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0197, dated October 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0197).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0197
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0197 refers to ``22 May 2023 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0094]'', this AD requires using
``February 7, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2023-25-09)''.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0197 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0197.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0197 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(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#e5a4a8aaa6a5838484cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9f8f4f6faf9dfd8d897ded6cf">[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
paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in
EASA AD 2024-0197 that contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC,
the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an
RC paragraph, 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 Nicole S. Tsang,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3959; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ec0e7ede1e2eba0dda0dafdefe0e9cee8efefa0e9e1f8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c08ea9a3afaca5ee93ee94b3a1aea780a6a1a1eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 25523]]
(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 2024-0197,
dated October 18, 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#0544417645606476642b6070776a75642b6070"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="79383d0a391c180a18571c0c0b160918571c0c">[email protected]</span></a>. 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#94f2e6bafdfae7e4f1f7e0fdfbfad4faf5e6f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85e3f7abecebf6f5e0e6f1eceaebc5ebe4f7e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 11, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-10934 Filed 6-16-25; 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 June 17, 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.