Rule2025-19417
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
October 2, 2025
Effective
October 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the determination that, during flight with landing gear down, the brake system accumulators and shut-off valve (SOV) protecting the brake accumulators might be exposed to a temperature lower than the one for which the accumulator and SOV are qualified. This AD is also prompted by the determination that, if an airplane is dispatched under existing conditions associated with the "L/G Retraction Fault" alert, operations for Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G) will be prevented. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new procedures for flight with landing gear down and the existing minimum equipment list (MEL) to prevent dispatch with an "L/G Retraction Fault" alert. 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 189 (Thursday, October 2, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 189 (Thursday, October 2, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47523-47526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19417]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3427; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01344-T;
Amendment 39-23166; AD 2025-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200,
A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted
by the determination that, during flight with landing gear down, the
brake system accumulators and shut-off valve (SOV) protecting the brake
accumulators might be exposed to a temperature lower than the one for
which the accumulator and SOV are qualified. This AD is also prompted
by the determination that, if an airplane is dispatched under existing
conditions associated with the ``L/G Retraction Fault'' alert,
operations for Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G) will be
prevented. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight
manual (AFM) to incorporate new procedures for flight with landing gear
down and the existing minimum equipment list (MEL) to prevent dispatch
with an ``L/G Retraction Fault'' alert. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 17, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 17,
2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 17, 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-2025-3427; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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#06474275466367756728637374697667286373"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0544417645606476642b6070776a75642b6070">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2025-3427.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#77310516191c5934160505120516043711161659101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="efa99d8e8184c1ac8e9d9d8a9d8e9caf898e8ec1888099">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-3427; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01344-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Frank
Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4b286959a9fdab795868691869587b4929595da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dcbffece3e6a3ceecffffe8ffecfecdebececa3eae2fb">[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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0175, dated August 8, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0175) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter,
A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and
[[Page 47524]]
Model A340-541, A340-542, A340-642, and A340-643 airplanes. Model 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
that during certification activity of revenue flight landing gear down
(RFLGD) operations for the Beluga XL (i.e., Model A330-743L) airplanes,
it was determined that the brake system accumulators might be exposed
to a temperature lower than the one for which the accumulator is
qualified. The landing gear system for the Model A330-743L airplane is
similar in design to that on the Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter,
A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes.
It was also determined, in the case of loss of the blue hydraulic
system, that the SOV protecting the brake accumulators from internal
hydraulic pressure loss could be identically affected while performing
RFLGD operations. Each of these conditions, if not corrected, could
lead to damage to the brake accumulator bladder and loss of SOV
function, possibly resulting in the loss of emergency braking and
consequent damage to the airplane. The MCAI also states that it was
determined that, if an airplane is dispatched under master minimum
equipment list (MMEL) conditions associated with the Electronic
Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) ``L/G RETRACTION FAULT'' alert
message, operations for Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G) (i.e.,
emergency power supply) will be prevented. This condition, if not
corrected, would, after a total engine flame out, lead to total loss of
electrical power and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
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-2025-3427.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0175, which specifies procedures for
revising the existing AFM to incorporate new procedures for flight with
landing gear down and the existing MMEL to prevent dispatch with a ``L/
G Retraction Fault'' alert. 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 AD
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2025-0175 described previously, except for any differences identified
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Compliance With AFM and MEL Revisions
EASA AD 2025-0175 requires operators to ``inform all flight crews''
of revisions to the AFM and MEL, and thereafter to ``operate the
aeroplane accordingly.'' However, this AD does not specifically require
those actions as those actions are already required by FAA regulations.
FAA regulations require operators furnish to pilots any changes to the
AFM (for example, 14 CFR 121.137) and to ensure the pilots are familiar
with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505). As with any other flightcrew
training requirement, training on the updated AFM content is tracked by
the operators and recorded in each pilot's training record, which is
available for the FAA to review. FAA regulations also require pilots to
follow the procedures in the existing AFM including all updates.
Section 91.9 requires that any person operating a civil aircraft must
comply with the operating limitations specified in the AFM. FAA
regulations (Sec. 121.628(a)(2)) require operators to provide pilots
with access to all the information contained in the operator's MEL.
Furthermore, Sec. 121.628(a)(5) requires airplanes to be operated
under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the
operator's MEL. Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to
operate the airplane according to the revised AFM and MEL would be
redundant and unnecessary.
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,
EASA AD 2025-0175 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0175 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0175 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
2025-0175. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0175 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-3427 after
this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because, if an airplane is dispatched with the landing gear retraction
system inoperative and ``L/G Retraction Fault'' alert under existing
MEL conditions, and a total engine flame out occurs, this could lead to
total loss of electrical power and consequent loss of control of the
airplane. Further, if an airplane is operating with landing gear down,
the brake system accumulators, and the SOV protecting the brake
accumulators from internal hydraulic pressure loss, could be exposed to
a temperature lower than one for which the accumulator and SOV are
qualified, which could lead to damage to the brake accumulator bladder
and loss of SOV function and result in the loss of emergency braking
[[Page 47525]]
and consequent damage to the airplane. Additionally, the compliance
time in this AD is shorter than the time necessary for the public to
comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to
the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 153 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170................................. $0 $170 $26,010
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-20-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23166; Docket No. FAA-2025-3427;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01344-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 17, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (7), certificated in any category.
(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 A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-642 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the determination that, during flight
with landing gear down, the brake system accumulators, and the shut-
off valve (SOV) protecting the brake accumulators from internal
hydraulic pressure loss, might be exposed to a temperature lower
than the one for which the accumulator and SOV are qualified. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address damage to the brake accumulator
bladder and loss of SOV function, possibly resulting in the loss of
emergency braking and consequent damage to the airplane. This AD is
also prompted by the determination that, if an airplane is
dispatched under existing conditions associated with the ``L/G
Retraction Fault'' alert, operations for Constant Speed Motor/
Generator (CSM/G) will be prevented. This condition, if not
corrected, would, after a total engine flame out, lead to total loss
of electrical power and consequent 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0175, dated August 8, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0175).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0175
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0175 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to
``implement the instructions of the MMEL update'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``revise the operator's existing FAA-
approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating the
information identified in ``the MMEL update'' ''.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to
``inform all flight crews, and thereafter, operate the aeroplane
accordingly,'' and where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175
specifies to ``inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the
aeroplane accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as
those actions are already required by existing FAA operating
regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and
(5)).
[[Page 47526]]
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to
``implement the AFM update'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``revise the existing AFM by incorporating the applicable
information identified in ``the AFM update'' ''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0175.
(i) 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 (j) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47060a08040721262669202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7534383a36351314145b121a03">[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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ecaa9e8d8287c2af8d9e9e899e8d9fac8a8d8dc28b839a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f291d0e0104412c0e1d1d0a1d0e1c2f090e0e41080019">[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 2025-0175,
dated August 8, 2025.
(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#2160655261444052400f4454534e51400f4454"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7130350231141002105f1404031e01105f1404">[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#583e2a7631362b283d3b2c3137361836392a39763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e68094c88f8895968385928f8988a688879487c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 29, 2025.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19417 Filed 9-30-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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