Rule2026-10272
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
May 22, 2026
Effective
June 8, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service event and relevant investigation which found that, under specific conditions, a dormant failure of a standby fuel pump could lead to a certain amount of fuel being trapped in the aft section of the inner tank that would be unusable. This AD requires repetitive operational checks of the standby fuel pumps and corrective actions and limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 99 (Friday, May 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30201-30204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10272]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4641; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00340-T;
Amendment 39-23359; AD 2026-10-19]
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 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter
series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A330-841
and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service
event and relevant investigation which found that, under specific
conditions, a dormant failure of a standby fuel pump could lead to a
certain amount of fuel being trapped in the aft section of the inner
tank that would be unusable. This AD requires repetitive operational
checks of the standby fuel pumps and corrective actions and limits the
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 8, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 8,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 6, 2026.
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-2026-4641; 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#1352576053767260723d7666617c63723d7666"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9888dba89aca8baa8e7acbcbba6b9a8e7acbc">[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-2026-4641.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tak Kobayashi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b1f0a000a0302180a450004090a120a1803022b0d0a0a450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4632272d272e2f3527682d2924273f27352e2f0620272768212930">[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-2026-4641; Project
Identifier MCAI-2026-00340-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
[[Page 30202]]
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 Tak Kobayashi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3553; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dca8bdb7bdb4b5afbdf2b7b3bebda5bdafb4b59cbabdbdf2bbb3aa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bacedbd1dbd2d3c9db94d1d5d8dbc3dbc9d2d3fadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[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 2026-0073, dated April 1, 2026;
corrected April 7, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0073) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Model A330-200 series
airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-300
series airplanes; and Model A330-743L, -841, and -941 airplanes. Model
A330-743L 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 following an in-service event and relevant investigation, it has
been determined that, under specific conditions, a dormant failure of a
standby fuel pump could lead to a certain amount of fuel being trapped
in the aft section of the inner tank that would be unusable. The MCAI
states that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead
to inability to use this fuel, possibly resulting in overestimating the
useable fuel available on board, and subsequent uncommanded in-flight
engine shutdown.
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-2026-4641.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2026-0073 specifies procedures for a repetitive operational
check of the standby fuel pumps for discrepancies (i.e., any result
does not match the applicable result identified in the ``Result''
column in the table of paragraph A., ``Operational check of the Standby
Fuel Pump,'' in the service information referenced by EASA AD 2026-
0073), and applicable corrective actions. Corrective action includes
troubleshooting discrepancies and replacing defective affected parts
(i.e., an affected part that cannot meet all results identified in the
``Result'' column in the table of paragraph A., ``Operational check of
the Standby Fuel Pump,'' in the referenced service information).
Replacing includes the option of swapping and following the master
minimum equipment list (MMEL) for dispatch with an inoperative fuel
pump. Swapping is switching the position of the defective fuel pump
from a standby pump location with a non-defective fuel pump from a non-
standby pump location, which must also be checked for discrepancies
before further flight. EASA AD 2026-0073 also limits the installation
of affected parts under certain conditions. EASA AD 2026-0073 also
provides an acceptable method of compliance for the operational check.
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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2026-0073 described previously, except for any differences identified
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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,
EASA AD 2026-0073 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2026-0073 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 2026-0073 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
2026-0073. Material required by EASA AD 2026-0073 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-4641 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 a dormant (undetected) failure of a standby fuel pump could
lead to inability to use fuel trapped in either of the aft inner tanks,
possibly resulting in overestimating the useable fuel available on
board, and subsequent uncommanded in-flight dual engine shutdown.
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
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without
[[Page 30203]]
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 154 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.................... $0 $85 $13,090
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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4 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $11,994..... Up to $12,334.
$340.
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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:
2026-10-19 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23359; Docket No. FAA-2026-4641;
Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00340-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 8, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, 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 A330-841 airplanes and A330-941 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service event and
relevant investigation, which found that, under specific conditions,
a dormant failure of a standby fuel pump could lead to a certain
amount of fuel being trapped in the aft section of the inner tank
and being unusable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address dormant
failure of a standby fuel pump, which could lead to inability to use
fuel trapped in either of the aft inner tanks, possibly resulting in
overestimating the useable fuel available on board, and subsequent
uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown.
(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
2026-0073, dated April 1, 2026; corrected April 7, 2026 (EASA AD
2026-0073).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0073
(1) Where EASA AD 2026-0073 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2026-0073 defines an affected part as ``any
part number eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus
instructions'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any part
number eligible for installation''.
(3) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2026-0073 specifies ``The action(s)
required by paragraph (1) of this AD may be accomplished by suitably
authorised flight crew under the provisions of Commission Regulation
(EU) No 1321/2014 145.A.30(j)3
[[Page 30204]]
or M.A.606(h)1, as applicable;'', this AD requires replacing that
text with ``Operational checks specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD
2026-0073 may be accomplished by personnel authorized in accordance
with the operator's approved maintenance or inspection program. In
accordance with 14 CFR 121.363 and 121.369, certificate holders are
responsible for establishing procedures for the accomplishment,
coordination, recording, and corrective action associated with
required maintenance and inspections. Operators should evaluate the
appropriateness of flightcrew accomplishment of these actions within
the context of their specific operation, including applicable
training programs, standard operating procedures, maintenance
coordination processes, flightcrew workload considerations, and
safety risk management practices.''
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2026-0073 defines a
discrepancy as ``any discrepancy, as identified in the AOT'', this
AD requires replacing that text with ``any result that does not
match the applicable result identified in the ``Result'' column in
the table of paragraph A., ``Operational check of the Standby Fuel
Pump,'' in paragraph 5.5 of the AOT''.
(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2026-0073 states ``it is
determined that an affected part is defective'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``it is determined the affected part cannot
meet all results identified in the ``Result'' column in the table of
paragraph A., ``Operational check of the Standby Fuel Pump,'' in
paragraph 5.5 of the AOT''.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2026-0073.
(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#7534383a36351314145b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcfdf1f3fffcdadddd92dbd3ca">[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)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD
2026-0073 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Tak Kobayashi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3553; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6d2c7cdc7cecfd5c788cdc9c4c7dfc7d5cecfe6c0c7c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a0e1b111b1213091b541115181b031b0912133a1c1b1b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 2026-0073,
dated April 1, 2026; corrected April 7, 2026.
(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#2465605764414557450a4151564b54450a4151"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9adbdee9dafffbe9fbb4ffefe8f5eafbb4ffef">[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#a1c7d38fc8cfd2d1c4c2d5c8cecfe1cfc0d3c08fc6ced7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e6f2aee9eef3f0e5e3f4e9efeec0eee1f2e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 14, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10272 Filed 5-20-26; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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