Rule2026-03503
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 23, 2026
Effective
March 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-08- 05, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A330-841 and A330- 941 airplanes. AD 2024-08-05 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-08- 05, the FAA has determined that additional new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2024-08-05 until the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, is revised to incorporate the new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8374-8377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03503]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1112; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00027-T;
Amendment 39-23256; AD 2026-03-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-08-
05, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200
Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A330-841 and A330-
941 airplanes. AD 2024-08-05 required revising the existing maintenance
or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-08-
05, the FAA has determined that additional new and more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require
certain actions in AD 2024-08-05 until the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, is revised to incorporate the new
and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 30,
2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of July
19, 2024 (89 FR 50505, June 14, 2024).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1112; 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 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#0b4a4f784b6e6a786a256e7e79647b6a256e7e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abeaefd8ebcecad8ca85ceded9c4dbca85cede">[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-2025-1112.
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#400632212e2b6e0321323225322133002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1f7c3d0dfda9ff2d0c3c3d4c3d0c2f1d7d0d09fd6dec7">[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 2024-08-05, Amendment 39-22738 (89 FR
50505, June 14, 2024) (AD 2024-08-05). AD 2024-08-05 applied to certain
Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series
airplanes; and Model A330-841 and
[[Page 8375]]
A330-941 airplanes. AD 2024-08-05 required revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations (specified in Airbus A330
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 3, Certification
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Revision 08, dated October 2, 2023).
The FAA issued AD 2024-08-05 to correct an unsafe condition identified
as a safety-significant latent failure (that is not annunciated) that,
in combination with one or more other specific failures or events,
could result in hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2025 (90
FR 26460). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0012, dated January 13,
2025, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2025-0012) (also referred to as
the MCAI). The MCAI states that new and/or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations (specified in A330 ALS, Part 3, CMRs,
Revision 09, dated October 1, 2024) for CMRs related to the air cooling
temperature control and pneumatic system have been developed.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require certain
actions in AD 2024-08-05 until the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, is revised to incorporate the new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2025-
0012. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a safety-significant latent
failure (that is not annunciated) that, in combination with one or more
other specific failures or events, could result in hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1112.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) and an individual who supported the NPRM without
change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Delta Air Lines
(Delta). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response.
Request To Supersede AD 2022-17-08
Delta requested that the FAA remove paragraph (b)(2) and the
terminating action in paragraph (m) from the proposed AD and instead
supersede FAA AD 2022-17-08, Amendment 39-22146 (87 FR 54865, September
8, 2022) (AD 2022-17-08), to terminate the requirements corresponding
to paragraphs (4) through (8) of EASA AD 2021-0281, dated December 17,
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0281). Delta noted that EASA issued EASA AD 2021-
0281R2, dated January 31, 2025, to rescind those corresponding
requirements because they were incorporated into A330 ALS, Part 3,
CMRs, Revision 09, dated October 1, 2024. Delta stated the terminating
action in paragraph (m) of the proposed AD is misleading because the
applicability in paragraph (c) of the proposed AD only applies to
airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export
certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 1, 2024. Based
on this, Delta concluded airplanes with an original airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
after October 1, 2024, must continue to comply with FAA AD 2022-17-08.
Delta asserted that superseding FAA AD 2022-17-08 will make it clear
that all airplanes applicable to AD 2022-17-08 no longer need to comply
with the requirements in paragraphs (4) through (8) of EASA AD 2021-
0281.
The FAA agrees that revising the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, terminates the
provisions in paragraphs (4) through (7) of EASA AD 2021-0281, for all
Airbus SAS Model A330-330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes
regardless of when the original airworthiness certificate or original
export certificate of airworthiness was issued. The FAA also
acknowledges the applicability discrepancy between this AD and AD 2022-
17-08. The FAA notes this discrepancy is addressed by global AMOC 523-
25-00060a, dated October 28, 2025. That AMOC approves incorporation of
A330 ALS, Part 3, CMRs, Revision 09, or later revisions, as a
terminating action for Airbus All Operators Transmission (AOT) A36L004-
20, Revision 01, dated October 27, 2021, which corresponds to
paragraphs (4) through (7) of EASA AD 2021-0281. Since AMOC 523-25-
00060a addresses Delta's concern, the FAA has determined no change to
this AD is necessary in this regard.
Conclusion
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 reviewed the relevant
data, considered any 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 these products. 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
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0012, which specifies new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures.
This AD also requires EASA AD 2023-0199, dated November 17, 2023,
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation
by reference as of July 19, 2024 (89 FR 50505, June 14, 2024).
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 158 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA estimates the cost per operator for the retained action
from AD 2024-08-05 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate.
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
[[Page 8376]]
44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the
FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by
prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the
Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This
regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses
an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products
identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-08-05, Amendment 39-22738
(89 FR 50505, June 14, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2026-03-07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23256; Docket No. FAA-2025-1112;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00027-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 30, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
(1) This AD replaces AD 2024-08-05, Amendment 39-22738 (89 FR
50505, June 14, 2024) (AD 2024-08-05).
(2) This AD affects AD 2022-17-08, Amendment 39-22146 (87 FR
54865, September 8, 2022) (AD 2022-17-08).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223,
-223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
-343, -841, and -941 airplanes, certificated in any category, with
an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate
of airworthiness issued on or before October 1, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address a safety-significant latent failure (that
is not annunciated) that, in combination with one or more other
specific failures or events, could result in hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection
Program, With a New Terminating Action
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (p) of AD
2024-08-05, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before October 2, 2023: 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 2023-0199, dated
November 17, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0199). Accomplishing the revision of
the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph
(j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.
(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0199, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (q) of AD
2024-08-05, with no changes.
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0199.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0199 specifies revising ``the
AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, within 90 days after July 19, 2024 (the effective date
of AD 2024-08-05).
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0199 is at the applicable ``associated
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of
EASA AD 2023-0199, or within 90 days after July 19, 2024 (the
effective date of AD 2024-08-05), whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0199.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0199.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0199 specifies the compliance time for tasks 282400-G0001-1-C and
282400-P0001-1-C as ``24 Months from the Effective Date of the EASA
Airworthiness Directive that is expected to be issued to mandate
this change, without exceeding the current 29,000 FH,'' this AD
requires using within 24 months after July 19, 2024 (the effective
date of AD 2024-08-05), without exceeding the current 29,000 flight
hour interval.
(i) Retained Provisions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a
New Exception
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (r) of AD
2024-08-05, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph
(j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0199.
(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0012, dated January 13, 2025 (EASA AD
2025-0012). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance
or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the
requirements of paragraphs (g) of this AD.
(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0012
(1) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of
EASA AD 2025-0012.
(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0012 specifies revising
``the AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, this AD
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0012 is at the applicable ``associated
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of
EASA AD 2025-0012, or within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0012.
(5) Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the service
information referenced in EASA AD 2025-0012 refers to ``01 December
2025 (Corresponding to the 24 Months from the Effective Date of the
EASA Airworthiness Directive No.: 2023-0199), without exceeding the
current 29 000 FH,'' this AD requires using within 24 months after
July 19, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-08-05), without
exceeding the current 29,000 flight hour interval.
(6) Where the Compliance Time column of the table in the
material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0012 refers to ``the Effective
Date of
[[Page 8377]]
the EASA Airworthiness Directive that is expected to be issued to
mandate these changes,'' this AD requires using the effective date
of this AD.
(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they
are approved as specified in the ``Ref. Publications'' section of
EASA AD 2025-0012.
(m) Terminating Action for AD 2022-17-08
For Model A330-330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes:
Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD
terminates the provisions in paragraphs (4) through (7) of EASA AD
2021-0281, dated December 17, 2021, that are required by paragraph
(g) of AD 2022-17-08.
(n) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (o) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#23626e6c60634542420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1c10121e1d3b3c3c733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(o) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 312-203-5670; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adebdfccc3c683eeccdfdfc8dfccdeedcbcccc83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7e1d5c6c9cc89e4c6d5d5c2d5c6d4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
(p) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material (IBR) 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.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on March 30,
2026.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0012,
dated January 13, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on July 19, 2024
(89 FR 50505, June 14, 2024).
(i) EASA AD 2023-0199, dated November 17, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) 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#6d2c291e2d080c1e0c4308181f021d0c430818"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0b1b483b095918391de9585829f8091de9585">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(6) 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.
(7) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90f6e2bef9fee3e0f5f3e4f9fffed0fef1e2f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c0a1e4205021f1c090f180503022c020d1e0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 2, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03503 Filed 2-20-26; 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 February 23, 2026.
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.