Proposed Rule2026-18796
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
September 14, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-26-06, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, - 203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, - 341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes; and all Airbus SAS Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes. AD 2024-26-06 requires modifying the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) installation, implementing the electrical load sensing device (ELSD) wiring provisions, and installing and activating the ELSD with revised procedures and also requires additional actions for certain airplanes. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-26-06, it has been determined that additional actions are required on certain airplanes after completion of the modification. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2024-26-06 and would require additional work for certain airplanes. 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 176 (Monday, September 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 176 (Monday, September 14, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58039-58042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18796]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8804; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01300-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)
2024-26-06, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -
203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -
341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes; and all Airbus SAS Model A340-211,
-212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes. AD 2024-26-06 requires
modifying the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA)
installation, implementing the electrical load sensing device (ELSD)
wiring provisions, and installing and activating the ELSD with revised
procedures and also requires additional actions for certain airplanes.
Since the FAA issued AD 2024-26-06, it has been determined that
additional actions are required on certain airplanes after completion
of the modification. This proposed AD would continue to require the
actions in AD 2024-26-06 and would require additional work for certain
airplanes. 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 29,
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-2026-8804; 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.
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#cd8c89be8da8acbeace3a8b8bfa2bdace3a8b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3071744370555143511e5545425f40511e5545">[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-2026-8804.
<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: Matthew Spickelmier, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
846-2893; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5914382d2d313c2e7713770a29303a323c3534303c2b193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="135e7267677b76643d593d40637a7078767f7e7a7661537572723d747c65">[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-2026-8804;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01300-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.
[[Page 58040]]
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
Matthew Spickelmier, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-846-2893; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7fad6c3c3dfd2c099fd99e4c7ded4dcd2dbdaded2c5f7d1d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="327f5346465a57451c781c61425b5159575e5f5b5740725453531c555d44">[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 2024-26-06, Amendment 39-22921 (90 FR 8901,
February 4, 2025) (AD 2024-26-06), for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-
201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes; and all Airbus SAS
Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes. AD 2024-26-
06 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
2024-0016, dated January 11, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0016), to correct an
unsafe condition. EASA AD 2024-0016 was prompted by tests that
demonstrated that when the upper secondary load path (SLP) of the THSA
is engaged, the THSA might not stall, with consequently no indication
of SLP engagement, and by the determination that additional actions are
required on certain airplanes after completion of a certain
modification required by EASA AD 2022-0239, dated December 7, 2022.
AD 2024-26-06 requires modifying the THSA installation,
implementing the ELSD wiring provisions, and installing and activating
the ELSD with revised procedures and also requires additional actions
for certain airplanes. The FAA issued AD 2024-26-06 to address damage
on the upper THSA SLP attachment with consequent mechanical
disconnection of the THSA, possibly resulting in loss of control of the
airplane.
Actions Since AD 2024-26-06 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2024-26-06, EASA superseded EASA AD 2024-
0016, and issued EASA AD 2025-0169, dated July 31, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-
0169) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -
243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941
airplanes; and all Airbus SAS Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,
and -313 airplanes. The MCAI states that additional work (depending on
the configuration, additional work includes application of sealant,
modification of connectors, making sure certain metallic clamps are
tight on the conduit, and modification of the structure around frame
87) is required on certain airplanes after the accomplishment of a
certain modification (i.e. accomplishing the actions specified in
previous revisions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3237 or A340-27-
4213 as required by EASA AD 2024-0016).
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-2026-8804.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the
requirements of AD 2024-26-06, this proposed AD would retain all of the
requirements of AD 2024-26-06. Those requirements are referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0169, 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 2025-0169, which specifies procedures for
modifying the THSA installation, implementing the ELSD wiring
provisions, installing and activating the ELSD with revised procedures,
and accomplishing additional actions for certain airplanes. EASA AD
2025-0169 also specifies procedures, for certain airplanes, for doing
additional work (depending on the configuration, additional work
includes application of sealant, modification of connectors, making
sure certain metallic clamps are tight on the conduit, and modification
of the structure around frame 87). The modification required by EASA AD
2025-0169 includes a concurrent action (installing electrical wiring
harnesses and brackets to connect the secondary nut detection device to
the monitoring systems), which is already required by AD 2017-20-02,
Amendment 39-19059 (82 FR 44907, September 27, 2017).
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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0169 described previously, except for any differences
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 2025-0169 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2025-0169 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 2025-0169 does not mean
[[Page 58041]]
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
2025-0169. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0169 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-8804 after
the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2024- 62 work-hours x $85 Up to $66,966.... Up to $72,236.... Up to $8,668,320.
26-06. per hour = $5,270.
New proposed actions........... Up to 11 work-hours x Up to $530....... Up to $1,465..... Up to $175,800.
$85 per hour = $935.
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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) 2024-26-06, Amendment 39-22921
(90 FR 8901, February 4, 2025); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2026-8804; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
01300-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 29, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2024-26-06, Amendment 39-22921 (90 FR 8901,
February 4, 2025) (AD 2024-26-06).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-
0169, dated July 31, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0169).
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by tests that demonstrated that when the
upper secondary load path (SLP) of the trimmable horizontal
stabilizer actuator (THSA) is engaged, the THSA might not stall,
with consequently no indication of SLP engagement, and by the
determination that additional actions are required on certain
airplanes after completion of a certain modification. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent damage on the upper THSA SLP attachment
with consequent mechanical disconnection of the THSA, that could
result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0169.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0169
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0169 refers to ``22 March 2022 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0039],'' this AD requires using
September 27, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-16-06, Amendment
39-22135 (87 FR 51588, August 23, 2022)).
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0169 refers to ``25 January 2024 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2024-0016],'' this AD requires using March
11, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2024-26-06).
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0169 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0169.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
[[Page 58042]]
(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#57161a18141731363679303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecada1a3afac8a8d8dc28b839a">[email protected]</span></a>.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-16-06 and AD 2024-26-
06 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD
2025-0169 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(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 Matthew Spickelmier,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-846-2893; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f725e4b4b575a481175116c4f565c545a5352565a4d7f595e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cb86aabfbfa3aebce581e598bba2a8a0aea7a6a2aeb98badaaaae5aca4bd">[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 2025-0169,
dated July 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#c28386b182a7a3b1a3eca7b7b0adb2a3eca7b7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3071744370555143511e5545425f40511e5545">[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#b7d1c599ded9c4c7d2d4c3ded8d9f7d9d6c5d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aaccd884c3c4d9dacfc9dec3c5c4eac4cbd8cb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 10, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18796 Filed 9-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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