Rule2026-10802
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 29, 2026
Effective
July 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the identification of an incorrect shot peening application implemented in production. This AD requires repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) of affected central windshield frames and applicable corrective actions. 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 103 (Friday, May 29, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31877-31880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10802]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3988; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00443-T;
Amendment 39-23353; AD 2026-10-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900
series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the identification of an
incorrect shot peening application implemented in production. This AD
requires repetitive special detailed inspections (SDIs) of affected
central windshield frames and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 6, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 6,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3988 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#a7e6e3d4e7c2c6d4c689c2d2d5c8d7c689c2d2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f5b4b186b590948694db9080879a8594db9080">[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-2025-3988.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Benson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3647; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cba5a2a8a3a4a7aab8e5a3e5a9aea5b8a4a58badaaaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6989f959e999a9785d89ed8949398859998b6909797d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS
Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2025 (90
FR 51222). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0071, dated March 31, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0071) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union. The MCAI states an incorrect shot peening application was
implemented in production and the fatigue life of affected central
windshield frames could consequently be lower than the certified value.
This condition, if not addressed, could adversely affect the structural
integrity of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive SDIs of
affected central windshield frames and applicable corrective actions,
as specified in EASA AD 2025-0071. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 31878]]
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3988.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from the Citizens Rulemaking
Alliance. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Issue an NPRM
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice and
comment procedures, or convert this action to an NPRM to extend the
comment period at least 60 days. The commenter asserted the FAA has not
adequately justified use of the good cause exemption.
The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.
Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the
AD to comply with the PRA if reporting is required or remove any
reporting provisions until PRA requirements are satisfied. If reporting
is not required, the commenter requested the FAA clarify that in the
AD.
The FAA notes paragraph (i) of this AD specifies that reporting is
not required. If an AD were to require reporting, the preamble of the
AD would include a paragraph titled ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' that
would provide the applicable OMB control number, required PRA
statements, and the estimated time to collect the required information
(burden). Any costs associated with the reporting requirement would be
included in the Costs of Compliance section in the preamble of the AD.
Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide the factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
certification that the AD will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities, or prepare an initial
regulatory flexibility analysis.
The FAA provides the following clarification. The RFA of 1980 (5
U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) and the Small
Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240), requires Federal agencies
to consider the effects of the regulatory action on small business and
other small entities and to minimize any significant economic impact.
The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-
profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are
not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
This AD will affect 11 domestic entities, of which three are small
entities. The table below displays the industries of the small
entities, their average annual revenue, and the AD's estimated cost
burden relative to average annual revenue.
Number of Small Entities Affected by Industry and Cost Significance \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Cost per AD/
NAICS code Description Number of annual annual revenue
airplanes revenue (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
532411......................... Commercial Air, Rail, and Water 5 $1,007,000 0.17
Transportation Equipment Rental
and Leasing.
532411......................... Commercial Air, Rail, and Water 5 3,960,000 0.00
Transportation Equipment Rental
and Leasing.
481111......................... Scheduled Passenger Air 1 278,910 0.00
Transportation.
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Total...................... ................................... 11 1,748,637 0.06
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\1\Source: SBA (2023). NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System). Dun & Bradstreet. D&B Hoovers.
Retrieved April 12, 2024. <a href="https://app.hoovers.dnb.com/">https://app.hoovers.dnb.com/</a>.
While the FAA has determined that this AD affects a number of small
entities, the compliance cost of the AD relative to each small entity's
annual revenue is minimal. The FAA estimates the total cost per
affected airplane to be $340 (4 work-hours x $85 per work-hour). The
total cost burden is less than 1 percent of average annual revenue for
all small entities. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the FAA
certifies this AD will not result in a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The FAA did not change this AD as
a result of this comment.
Request To Provide Additional Cost Information
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA add to the
AD docket the methodology and assumptions supporting the estimated cost
of the proposed AD and reopen the comment period for public input on
the additional cost information. The commenter stated that the FAA
should also provide the fleet size, per airplane labor and parts cost,
any assumed downtime or out-of-service impacts, aggregate costs, and
any assumption that the manufacturer would provide parts free of
charge.
In the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, the FAA
disclosed the number of airplanes affected on the U.S. registry,
estimated number of work hours provided by the manufacturer, and the
aggregate costs. The FAA did not disclose an estimated parts cost since
this AD does not require any parts. Additionally, the FAA considered
the impact that this AD will have on affected operators and determined
this AD will not trigger any downtime costs because the requirements of
this AD can be performed during regularly scheduled maintenance. Since
the FAA has assessed and disclosed the total known costs of the AD
requirements in the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, and
the commenter did not provide additional cost data for the FAA to
consider in its cost analysis, it is not necessary to reopen the
comment period or provide additional information in the AD docket. The
FAA
[[Page 31879]]
did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
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
EASA AD 2025-0071 specifies procedures for repetitive SDIs (i.e.,
high frequency eddy current inspections) for cracking of the windshield
central lower framing fillet radius on the left-hand and right-hand
sides and applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions include
repair.
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 85 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following total costs to comply with
this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost product U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340............................ $0 $340 $28,900
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
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,
(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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-10-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23353; Docket No. FAA-2025-3988;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00443-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-
0071, dated March 31, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0071).
(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.
(5) Model A330-941 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the identification of an incorrect shot
peening application that was implemented in production. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the fatigue life of affected central
windshield frames that might be lower than the certified value. This
condition, if not addressed, could adversely affect the structural
integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0071.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0071
(1) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0071 specifies if ``any
crack is found on an affected part, before next flight, contact
Airbus for repair instructions and, within the compliance time
specified in those instructions, accomplish those instructions
accordingly.'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any
cracking is found on an affected part, the cracking must be repaired
before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus
SAS's EASA Design Organization
[[Page 31880]]
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.''
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0071.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0071 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 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#11505c5e52517770703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecada1a3afac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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 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 contains
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and
tests that are 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 procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Benson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3647; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d03040e0502010c1e4305430f08031e02032d0b0c0c430a021b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="204e4943484f4c41530e480e42454e534f4e604641410e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0071,
dated March 31, 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#69282d1a290c081a08470c1c1b061908470c1c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a0b0e390a2f2b392b642f3f38253a2b642f3f">[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#563024783f3825263335223f3938163837243778313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="066074286f6875766365726f6968466867746728616970">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 11, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10802 Filed 5-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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