69020 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 192 / Thursday, October 5, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

(h) Exceptions to Transport Canada AD CF– 

2023–28 

(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF–2023– 

28 refers to its effective date, this AD requires 

using the effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF–2023– 

28 specifies installing software updates on 

the integrated cockpit control panel remote 

data concentrator using a USB-type device, 

this AD also allows the use of a portable 

maintenance access terminal (PMAT)-type 

device. 

Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2): When using a 

PMAT-type device, guidance for upgrading 

the software can be found in Airbus Canada 

Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500– 

311001, Issue 001, dated March 14, 2023. 

(i) Additional AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Validation 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 International Validation 

Branch, mail it to the address identified in 

paragraph (j)(1) of this AD or email to: 9- 

AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing 

information, also submit information by 

email. 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, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada; or Airbus 

Canada Limited Partnership’s Transport 

Canada Design Approval Organization 

(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval 

must include the DAO-authorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except 

as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if 

any service information 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 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516– 

228–7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. 

(2) For Airbus Canada Limited Partnership 

service information identified in this AD that 

is not incorporated by reference, contact 

Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 

Henri-Fabre Boulevard, Mirabel, Que ́bec J7N 

3C6, Canada; telephone 450–476–7676; email 

a220_crc@abc.airbus; website 

a220world.airbus.com. This Airbus Canada 

Limited Partnership service information is 

also available at the address specified in 

paragraph (k)(4) of this AD. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Transport Canada AD CF–2023–28, 

dated May 4, 2023. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For Transport Canada AD CF–2023–28, 

contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada 

National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra 

Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada; 

telephone 888–663–3639; email: 

TC.AirworthinessDirectivesConsignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; 

website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 

Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the FAA, 

call 206–231–3195. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on September 25, 2023. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22086 Filed 10–4–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1040; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–01512–T; Amendment 

39–22558; AD 2023–19–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ 

Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 

Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI 

RJ Aviation ULC Model CL–600–2C10 

(Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL– 

600–2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL– 

600–2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL– 

600–2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and 

CL–600–2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

manufacturing quality escape 

concerning the installation of the Halon 

metering device on certain cargo fire 

extinguisher containers. This AD 

requires the inspection of cargo fire 

extinguisher container serial numbers 

and the replacement of the affected 

containers. This AD would also limit 

the installation of affected parts. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective November 9, 

2023. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of November 9, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: AD Docket: You may 

examine the AD docket at 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1040; 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: 

• For service information identified 

in this final rule, contact MHI RJ 

Aviation Group, Customer Response 

Center, 3655 Ave. des GrandesTourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, 

Que ́bec J7H 0E2 Canada; North America 

toll-free telephone 833–990–7272 or 

direct-dial telephone 450–990–7272; fax 

514–855–8501; email thd.crj@

mhirj.com; website mhirj.com. 

• You may view this service 

information 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 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1040. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516– 

228–7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 192 / Thursday, October 5, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 69021 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model 

CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 

701 & 702), CL–600–2C11 (Regional Jet 

Series 550), CL–600–2D15 (Regional Jet 

Series 705), CL–600–2D24 (Regional Jet 

Series 900), and CL–600–2E25 (Regional 

Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

May 12, 2023 (88 FR 30685). The NPRM 

was prompted by AD CF–2022–66, 

dated December 8, 2022, issued by 

Transport Canada, which is the aviation 

authority for Canada (referred to after 

this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that 

during assembly of the Halon metering 

device, the discharge head was not fully 

seated on cargo fire extinguisher 

containers having certain serial 

numbers. The threads in the discharge 

neck were not re-tapped after the 

discharge disc was welded resulting in 

an undersized thread, which prevented 

the Halon metering device from being 

fully seated. This will result in an 

increased Halon mass flow rate through 

the metering device during discharge, 

which could reduce the duration of the 

Halon flow. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require the inspection of cargo fire 

extinguisher container serial numbers 

and the replacement of the affected 

containers, and to limit the installation 

of affected parts. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address an increased Halon 

mass flow rate through the metering 

device during discharge, which could 

reduce the duration of the Halon flow. 

The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

when combined with a cargo fire, could 

lead to a reduction in the fire 

extinguishing and suppression 

capabilities of the fire protection 

system. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2023–1040. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received a comment from 

the Air Line Pilots Association, 

International (ALPA), who supported 

the NPRM without change. 

The FAA received an additional 

comment from MHI RJ Aviation ULC. 

The following presents the comment 

received on the NPRM and the FAA’s 

response. 

Request for Latest Service Bulletin 

Revision 

MHI RJ Aviation ULC stated 

paragraphs (g), (h), and (k)(2)(i) of the 

proposed AD refer to MHIRJ Service 

Bulletin 670BA–26–014, dated July 28, 

2022. The commenter explained that the 

current revision is at Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022, and has been 

accepted by Transport Canada 

Continuing Airworthiness. The 

commenter requested that a credit 

statement for the initial issue be added 

to the proposed AD. 

The commenter added that paragraph 

(h) of the proposed AD is referring to 

Collins Service Bulletin Fire 

Extinguisher–26–A, dated April 4, 2022. 

The commenter explained that the 

current revision is at Revision 1, dated 

June 16, 2022. The commenter noted 

that since the latest revision of the 

Collins service bulletin is also 

referenced in MHIRJ Service Bulletin 

670BA–26–014, Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022, Collins Service 

Bulletin Fire Extinguisher–26–A, 

Revision 1, dated June 16, 2022, should 

be referenced in paragraph (h) of the 

proposed AD. 

The FAA partially agrees with the 

request. The FAA agrees that MHIRJ 

Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

Revision A, dated December 23, 2022, as 

the above-mentioned commentor noted, 

is the current revision and should be 

referenced in this AD. The FAA has 

revised paragraphs (g), (h), and (k)(2)(i) 

of this AD to add the latest service 

information revision as an acceptable 

method of compliance. Accordingly, the 

FAA disagrees that a credit paragraph is 

necessary. 

Conclusion 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country and is approved for operation in 

the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, it has notified the 

FAA of the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA 

reviewed the relevant data, considered 

the 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 this product. Except for 

minor editorial changes, and any other 

changes described previously, this AD is 

adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 

None of the changes will increase the 

economic burden on any operator. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed MHIRJ Service 

Bulletin 670BA–26–014, dated July 28, 

2022, and Revision A, dated December 

23, 2022. This service information 

specifies procedures for an inspection 

for the serial numbers of the high rate 

of discharge (HRD) and low rate of 

discharge (LRD) cargo fire extinguisher 

containers and the replacement of 

affected cargo fire extinguisher 

containers. These documents are 

distinct because MHIRJ Service Bulletin 

670BA–26–014, Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022, added an alternative 

method to find the serial numbers. 

This service information 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 will 

affect 597 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 

FAA estimates the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Up to 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ................................................................................... $0 Up to $85 ..... Up to $50,745. 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ...................................................................................................................... $0 $255 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
69022 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 192 / Thursday, October 5, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some or all 

of the costs of this AD may be covered 

under warranty, thereby reducing the 

cost impact on affected operators. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2023–19–08 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by 

Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39– 

22558; Docket No. FAA–2023–1040; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2022–01512–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective November 9, 2023. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all MHI RJ Aviation 

ULC (type certificate previously held by 

Bombardier Inc.) airplanes, certificated in 

any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 

through (5) of this AD. 

(1) Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet 

Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes. 

(2) Model CL–600–2C11 (Regional Jet 

Series 550) airplanes. 

(3) Model CL–600–2D15 (Regional Jet 

Series 705) airplanes. 

(4) Model CL–600–2D24 (Regional Jet 

Series 900) airplanes. 

(5) Model CL–600–2E25 (Regional Jet 

Series 1000) airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 26, Fire Protection. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a manufacturing 

quality escape concerning the installation of 

the Halon metering device on certain cargo 

fire extinguisher containers. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address an increased 

Halon mass flow rate through the metering 

device during discharge, which could reduce 

the duration of the Halon flow. The unsafe 

condition, if not addressed, when combined 

with a cargo fire, could lead to a reduction 

in the fire extinguishing and suppression 

capabilities of the fire protection system. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection and Replacement 

Within 1,000 flight hours or 6 months, 

whichever occurs first from the effective date 

of this AD, inspect the serial numbers of the 

high rate of discharge (HRD) and low rate of 

discharge (LRD) cargo fire extinguisher 

containers in accordance with Section 2.B. of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of MHIRJ 

Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, dated July 

28, 2022, or Revision A, dated December 23, 

2022. A review of airplane maintenance or 

equipment records is acceptable in lieu of 

this inspection if the serial number of the 

HRD and LRD cargo fire extinguisher 

containers can be conclusively determined 

from that review. 

(1) If neither of the HRD or the LRD 

container serial numbers is listed in Section 

2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 

MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

dated July 28, 2022, or Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022, no further work is 

required by this paragraph. 

(2) If the serial numbers of both the HRD 

and LRD containers are listed in Section 2.B. 

of the Accomplishment Instructions of 

MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

dated July 28, 2022, or Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022: Within 4,500 flight hours 

from the effective date of this AD, replace the 

HRD and LRD cargo fire extinguisher 

containers in accordance with Section 2.B. of 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

dated July 28, 2022, or Revision A, dated 

December 23, 2022. 

(3) If the serial number of either the HRD 

or the LRD container, but not both, is listed 

in Section 2.B. of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of MHIRJ Service Bulletin 

670BA–26–014, July 28, 2022, or Revision A, 

dated December 23, 2022: Within 8,800 flight 

hours from the effective date of this AD, 

replace the affected HRD or LRD cargo fire 

extinguisher container in accordance with 

Section 2.B. of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of MHIRJ Service Bulletin 

670BA–26–014, dated July 28, 2022, or 

Revision A, dated December 23, 2022. 

(h) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD, it is 

prohibited to install an HRD or LRD cargo 

fire extinguisher container with a serial 

number listed in Section 2.B. of the 

Accomplishment Instructions of MHIRJ 

Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, dated July 

28, 2022, or Revision A, dated December 23, 

2022, unless the cargo fire extinguisher 

container is ink-stamped with a circled ‘‘G’’ 

adjacent to the nameplate, signifying the 

incorporation of Collins Service Bulletin Fire 

Extinguisher–26–A, dated April 4, 2022, or 

Revision 1, dated June 16, 2022. 

(i) Additional AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Validation 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 International Validation 

Branch, mail it to ATTN: Program Manager, 

Continuing Operational Safety, at the address 

identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD or 

email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If 

mailing information, also submit information 

by email. 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, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada or MHI RJ 

Aviation ULC’s Transport Canada Design 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 192 / Thursday, October 5, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 69023 

Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by 

the DAO, the approval must include the 

DAO-authorized signature. 

(j) Additional Information 

(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF– 

2022–66, dated December 8, 2022, for related 

information. This Transport Canada AD may 

be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov 

under Docket No. FAA–2023–1040. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516– 

228–7300; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

dated July 28, 2022. 

(ii) MHIRJ Service Bulletin 670BA–26–014, 

Revision A, dated December 23, 2022. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact MHI RJ Aviation Group, 

Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des 

Grandes-Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, 

Que ́bec J7H 0E2 Canada; North America tollfree telephone 833–990–7272 or direct-dial 

telephone 450–990–7272; fax 514–855–8501; 

email thd.crj@mhirj.com; website mhirj.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

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 service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on September 22, 2023. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22082 Filed 10–4–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1499; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–00458–T; Amendment 

39–22565; AD 2023–20–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus SAS Model A330–202, A330– 

203, A330–223, A330–243, and A330– 

841 airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by a determination that the cold 

working process was partially 

completed on a certain circumferential 

joint. This AD requires modification of 

the circumferential joint, as specified in 

a European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD, which is 

incorporated by reference. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective November 9, 

2023. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of November 9, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1499; 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: 

• For material incorporated by 

reference in this AD, contact EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

website easa.europa.eu. You may find 

this material on the EASA website at 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

• 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 in the AD docket at 

regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 

2023–1499. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone 

206–231–3667; email 

Timothy.P.Dowling@faa.gov. 

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 

A330–202, A330–203, A330–223, A330– 

243, and A330–841 airplanes. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on July 20, 2023 (88 FR 46697). 

The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023– 

0054, dated March 14, 2023, issued by 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European 

Union (EASA AD 2023–0054) (also 

referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI 

states that the cold working process was 

partially completed on the 

circumferential joint at frame 58. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require modification of the 

circumferential joint, as specified in 

EASA AD 2023–0054. The NPRM also 

proposed to require contacting the 

Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval for 

instructions if any discrepancy is found 

during accomplishment of any 

inspection that is part of the 

modification. The FAA is issuing this 

AD to address a partially completed 

cold working process on the 

circumferential joint at frame 58, which 

could affect the structural integrity of 

the airplane and result in catastrophic 

failure. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2023–1499. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received comments from Air 

Line Pilots Association, International 

(ALPA), who supported the NPRM 

without change, and an individual 

whose comments are unrelated to the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

NPRM. 

Conclusion 

These products have been approved 

by the 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, it has notified 

the FAA of the unsafe condition 

described in the MCAI referenced 

above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 

data, considered the 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. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1