Proposed Rule2026-18372
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
September 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-02, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2023-07-02 requires replacing the doghouse door lock placard with an improved instruction placard. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-07-02, it was determined that additional parts need to be modified. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-07-02 and would expand the list of affected parts. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57281-57284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18372]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8799; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01590-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2023-07-02, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800,
and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600
series airplanes. AD 2023-07-02 requires replacing the doghouse door
lock placard with an improved instruction placard. Since the FAA issued
AD 2023-07-02, it was determined that additional parts need to be
modified. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD
2023-07-02 and would expand the list of affected parts. This proposed
AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain
conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 26,
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-2026-8799; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
[[Page 57282]]
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5312172013363220327d3626213c23327d3626"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdfcf9cefdd8dccedc93d8c8cfd2cddc93d8c8">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2026-8799.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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#eba582888384878a98c5a3c5a98e85988485ab8d8a8ac58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83cdeae0ebecefe2f0adcbadc1e6edf0ecedc3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-8799;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01590-T'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
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#6a2403090205060b19442244280f041905042a0c0b0b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="206e4943484f4c41530e680e62454e534f4e604641410e474f56">[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
The FAA issued AD 2023-07-02, Amendment 39-22404 (88 FR 24683,
April 24, 2023), for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800, and -
900 series airplanes; Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model
A340-541 airplanes; and Model A340-642 airplanes. AD 2023-07-02 was
prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2022-
0179, dated August 26, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0179), to correct an unsafe
condition. AD 2023-07-02 requires replacing the doghouse door lock
placard with an improved instruction placard and prohibits the
installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA issued
AD 2023-07-02 to address possible incorrect operation of the doghouse
door lock due to unclear and incomplete handling instructions on the
door placard installed near the lock. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in failure of the latch, which could block the door in the
closed position and prevent access to the emergency equipment inside
the doghouse.
Actions Since AD 2023-07-02 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-07-02, EASA superseded EASA AD 2022-
0179 and issued EASA AD 2025-0216, dated October 1, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-
0216) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243,
A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341,
A330-342, A330-343, A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes; and Airbus Model
A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, 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 proposed AD therefore does not
include those airplanes in the applicability. The MCAI states that the
instructions on the doghouse door lock placard are unclear and
incomplete and could lead to incorrect operation of the lock. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the latch,
blocking the door in the closed position and preventing access to
emergency equipment, possibly resulting in injury to airplane
occupants. Since EASA AD 2022-0179 was issued, it has been determined
that additional parts have to be modified. The FAA is proposing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-
8799.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2023-07-02, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2023-07-02. Those requirements are referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0216, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of
this proposed AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0216, which specifies procedures for
replacing the doghouse door lock placard with a placard with improved
handling instructions. EASA AD 2025-0216 also prohibits the
installation of doghouses with incorrect instruction placards. This
material is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2023-
07-02. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions
specified in EASA AD 2025-0216 described previously, except for any
differences
[[Page 57283]]
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2025-0216 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2025-0216 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0216 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-
0216. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0216 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-8799 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 59 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................... $100 $270 * $15,930
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* Assuming one placard per product. The number of placards on an airplane depends on the passenger configuration
and varies from operator to operator.
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty
coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all
known costs in the cost estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-02, Amendment 39-22404
(88 FR 24683, April 24, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2026-8799; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
01590-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 26, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-07-02, Amendment 39-22404 (88 FR 24683,
April 24, 2023) (AD 2023-07-02).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of this AD.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
and -343 airplanes.
(3) Model A330-841 airplanes.
(4) Model A330-941 airplanes.
(5) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(8) Model A340-642 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that the instructions on the
doghouse door lock placard are unclear and incomplete, and by a
determination that additional parts need to be modified. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address possible incorrect operation of the
doghouse door lock due to unclear and incomplete handling
instructions on the door placard installed near the lock. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the latch,
which could block the door in the closed position and prevent access
to the emergency equipment inside the doghouse.
[[Page 57284]]
(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
2025-0216, dated October 1, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0216).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0216
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0216 refers to June 18, 2021 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2021-0136), this AD requires using March
21, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-03-12, Amendment 39-21929
(87 FR 8169, February 14, 2022)).
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0216 refers to September 9, 2022 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0179), this AD requires using May 30,
2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-07-02).
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0216 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2025-0216 specifies to ``remove the placard
and install a placard with improved handling instructions on each
affected part'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``replace
the placard on each affected part with a placard with improved
handling instructions''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0216.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): 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#f9b8b4b6bab99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="581915171b183e3939763f372e">[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 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.
(j) 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#87c9eee4efe8ebe6f4a9cfa9c5e2e9f4e8e9c7e1e6e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c38daaa0abacafa2b0ed8bed81a6adb0acad83a5a2a2eda4acb5">[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 2025-0216,
dated October 1, 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#3475704774515547551a5141465b44551a5141"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3170754271545042501f5444435e41501f5444">[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#0a6c78246364797a6f697e6365644a646b786b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0563772b6c6b76756066716c6a6b456b6477642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 3, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18372 Filed 9-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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