Proposed Rule2026-19355
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 22, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, A300 B4-603, and A300 B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A300 F4-600R series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) two-piece cages due to incorrect machining. This proposed AD would require replacing an affected MLG with a serviceable MLG and would limit the installation of an affected MLG 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 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60030-60033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19355]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8809; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01312-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, A300
B4-603, and A300 B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes;
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A300 F4-600R series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the
main landing gear (MLG) two-piece cages due to incorrect machining.
This proposed AD would require replacing an affected MLG with a
serviceable MLG and would limit the installation of an affected MLG
under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 60031]]
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 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-2026-8809; 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#a3e2e7d0e3c6c2d0c28dc6d6d1ccd3c28dc6d6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cf8e8bbc8faaaebcaee1aababda0bfaee1aaba">[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-2026-8809_.
<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: Taylor Stanley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 407-
852-7677; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2276435b4e4d500c7156434c4e475b624443430c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d794c5441425f037e594c434148546d4b4c4c034a425b">[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-2026-8809;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01312-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
Taylor Stanley, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 407-852-7677; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fda99c8491928fd3ae899c93919884bd9b9c9cd39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="faae9b83969588d4a98e9b94969f83ba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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 2025-0170, dated August 4, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0170) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-2C, A300 B4-103, A300
B4-120, A300 B4-203, A300 B4-220, A300 C4-203, A300 F4-203, A300 B4-
601, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-622, A300 C4-620, A300 B4-605R, A300 B4-622R,
A300 F4-605R, A300 F4-622R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and A300F4-608ST
airplanes. Model A300 B4-120, A300 B4-220, A300 C4-203, A300 F4-203,
A300 C4-620, and A300 F4-608ST 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 occurrences were reported of cracks
found in the MLG two-piece cages. Subsequent investigation determined
that the root cause of the cracking was incorrect machining before
installation of the MLG two-piece cage into the MLG eye fitting. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural failure of the
MLG during takeoff or landing, possibly resulting in damage to the
airplane and injury to occupants.
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-2026-8809.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2025-0170 specifies procedures for replacement of an
affected MLG with a serviceable MLG and limits the installation of an
affected MLG or overhauled MLG under certain conditions. 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 2025-0170 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 2025-0170 by
[[Page 60032]]
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore,
require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0170 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 2025-0170
does not mean that operators need to 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 2025-0170. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0170 for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-8809 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 99 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA has no definitive data on
the number of affected MLGs that may need to be replaced and no way of
knowing whether the affected MLGs are installed on all or some of the
affected airplanes. Therefore, based on the assumption that one MLG
would need to be replaced on all affected airplanes, the FAA estimates
the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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28 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,380........................ * $0 $2,380 $235,620
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this
proposed 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
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2026-8809; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
01312-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certified in any category.
(1) Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(5) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the main landing
gear (MLG) two-piece cages due to incorrect machining. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address such cracking, which could lead to
structural failure of the MLG during takeoff or landing. This unsafe
condition, if not address, could result in damage to the airplane
and injury to occupants.
(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
2025-0170, dated August 4, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0170).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0170
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0170 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0170 defines a serviceable MLG part as an
``MLG (LH or RH side), eligible for installation in accordance with
Airbus instructions, which'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``MLG (LH or RH side), eligible for installation, which''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0170.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0170 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
[[Page 60033]]
(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 Continued 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#e4a5a9aba7a4828585ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ce8f83818d8ea8afafe0a9a1b8">[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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Taylor Stanley,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 407-852-7677; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87d3e6feebe8f5a9d4f3e6e9ebe2fec7e1e6e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cc8fde5f0f3eeb2cfe8fdf2f0f9e5dcfafdfdb2fbf3ea">[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 2025-0170,
dated August 4, 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#e9a8ad9aa98c889a88c78c9c9b869988c78c9c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e5f5a6d5e7b7f6d7f307b6b6c716e7f307b6b">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. 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#7c1a0e5215120f0c191f081513123c121d0e1d521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dcbaaef2b5b2afacb9bfa8b5b3b29cb2bdaebdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 18, 2026.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19355 Filed 9-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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