This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

86029 

Vol. 88, No. 237 

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Office of the Secretary 

5 CFR Part 3601 

[Docket ID: DoD–2021–OS–0032] 

RIN 0790–AL21 

Supplemental Standards of Ethical 

Conduct for Employees of the 

Department of Defense; Correction 

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). 

ACTION: Final rule; correcting 

amendment. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is 

correcting a final rule that appeared in 

the Federal Register on February 28, 

2023. The Department of Defense, with 

the concurrence of the U.S. Office of 

Government Ethics (OGE), finalized 

amendments to its Supplemental 

Standards of Ethical Conduct for 

Employees of the Department of Defense 

(DoD Supplemental Regulation). The 

amendments revised and updated the 

DoD Supplemental Regulation originally 

written in 1993, to supplement the OGE 

Standards of Ethical Conduct for 

Employees of the Executive Branch 

(OGE Standards). Amendments 

included changes in the following areas: 

designation of separate agency 

components for the purposes of gifts 

and teaching, speaking, and writing; 

additional exceptions for gifts from 

outside sources; additional limitations 

on gifts between DoD employees; and 

authority to waive any of the provisions 

of the DoD Supplemental Regulation. 

DATES: This final rule correction is 

effective December 12, 2023 and is 

applicable beginning March 30, 2023. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Karen Dalheim, Standards of Conduct 

Office, Office of the Secretary of 

Defense, Office of the General Counsel; 

telephone: 703–695–3422. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Subsequent to the publication of the 

final rule on February 28, 2023 (88 FR 

12541), it was discovered that during 

the final review and editing of the final 

rule, a comma was moved in the first 

sentence of § 3601.106(a) introductory 

text that changed the meaning of the 

sentence. The document corrects the 

CFR to reflect the intended version of 

this paragraph. 

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 3601 

Conflict of interests, Executive branch 

standards of conduct, Government 

employees. 

Accordingly, the Department of 

Defense amends 5 CFR part 3601 by 

making the following correcting 

amendment: 

PART 3601—SUPPLEMENTAL 

STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT 

FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 3601 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 7301, 7351, 7353; 

5 U.S.C. Chapter 131; E.O. 12674, 54 FR 

15159, 3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 215, as 

modified by E.O. 12731, 55 FR 42547, 3 CFR, 

1990 Comp., p. 306; 5 CFR 2635.105, 

2635.203(a), 2635.204(k), 2635.803, 

2635.807. 

■ 2. In § 3601.106, revise the first 

sentence of paragraph (a) introductory 

text to read as follows: 

§ 3601.106 Prior approval for outside 

employment and business activities. 

(a) A DoD employee, other than a 

special Government employee, who is 

required to file a financial disclosure 

report (OGE Forms 450 or 278e) shall 

obtain approval from the agency 

designee before engaging in a business 

activity or compensated outside 

employment with a prohibited source, 

unless general approval has been given 

in accordance with paragraph (b) of this 

section. * * * 

* * * * * 

Dated: December 6, 2023. 

Patricia L. Toppings, 

OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, 

Department of Defense. 

[FR Doc. 2023–27172 Filed 12–11–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1721; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–00676–T; Amendment 

39–22608; AD 2023–23–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault 

Aviation Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023–04– 

13, which applied to certain Dassault 

Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 

airplanes. AD 2023–04–13 required 

revising the existing maintenance or 

inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate new or more restrictive 

airworthiness limitations. This AD was 

prompted by a determination that new 

or more restrictive airworthiness 

limitations are necessary. This AD 

continues to require the actions in AD 

2023–04–13 and requires revising the 

existing maintenance or inspection 

program, as applicable, to incorporate 

new or more restrictive airworthiness 

limitations; 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 January 16, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 16, 2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain other publication listed in 

this AD as of May 12, 2023 (88 FR 

20741, April 7, 2023). 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1721; 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
86030 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

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– 

2023–1721. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 

Rodriguez, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 

231–3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to supersede AD 2023–04–13, 

Amendment 39–22360 (88 FR 20741, 

April 7, 2023) (AD 2023–04–13). AD 

2023–04–13 applied to certain Dassault 

Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 

airplanes. AD 2023–04–13 required 

revising the existing maintenance or 

inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate new or more restrictive 

airworthiness limitations. The FAA 

issued AD 2023–04–13 to address 

reduced structural integrity of the 

airplane. AD 2023–04–13 specifies that 

accomplishing the revision required by 

paragraph (g) or (j) of that AD terminates 

the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of 

AD 2010–26–05, Amendment 39–16544 

(75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010), for 

Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 

2000EX airplanes. This AD therefore 

continues to allow that terminating 

action. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on August 29, 2023 (88 FR 

59476). The NPRM was prompted by 

AD 2023–0100, dated May 11, 2023, 

issued by EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union (EASA AD 2023–0100) 

(also referred to as the MCAI). The 

MCAI states that new or more restrictive 

airworthiness limitations have been 

developed. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

continue to require the actions in AD 

2023–04–13. The NPRM also proposed 

to require revising the existing 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, to incorporate new or more 

restrictive airworthiness limitations, as 

specified in EASA AD 2023–0100. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address 

reduced structural integrity of the 

airplane. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2023–1721. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the cost to the public. 

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 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, 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 

EASA AD 2023–0100 specifies new or 

more restrictive airworthiness 

limitations for airplane structures and 

safe life limits. 

This AD also requires EASA AD 

2022–0136, dated July 6, 2022, which 

the Director of the Federal Register 

approved for incorporation by reference 

as of May 12, 2023 (88 FR 20741, April 

7, 2023). 

This material is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 

of business or by the means identified 

in the ADDRESSES section. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 245 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 

The FAA estimates the total cost per 

operator for the retained actions from 

AD 2023–04–13 to be $7,650 (90 workhours × $85 per work-hour). 

The FAA has determined that revising 

the existing maintenance or inspection 

program takes an average of 90 workhours per operator, although the agency 

recognizes that this number may vary 

from operator to operator. In the past, 

the agency has estimated that this action 

takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since 

operators incorporate maintenance or 

inspection program changes for their 

affected fleet(s), the FAA has 

determined that a per-operator estimate 

is more accurate than a per-airplane 

estimate. 

The FAA estimates the total cost per 

operator for the new actions to be 

$7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per workhour). 

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. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 86031 

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: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 

(AD) 2023–04–13, Amendment 39– 

22360 (88 FR 20741, April 7, 2023); and 

■ b. Adding the following new AD: 

2023–23–06 Dassault Aviation: 

Amendment 39–22608; Docket No. 

FAA–2023–1721; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2023–00676–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective January 16, 2024. 

(b) Affected ADs 

(1) This AD replaces AD 2023–04–13, 

Amendment 39–22360 (88 FR 20741, April 7, 

2023) (AD 2023–04–13). 

(2) This AD affects AD 2010–26–05, 

Amendment 39–16544 (75 FR 79952, 

December 21, 2010) (AD 2010–26–05). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Dassault Aviation 

Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes, 

certificated in any category, with an original 

airworthiness certificate or original export 

certificate of airworthiness issued on or 

before January 15, 2023. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code: 05, Time Limits/Maintenance 

Checks. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a determination 

that new or more restrictive airworthiness 

limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing 

this AD to address reduced structural 

integrity of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection 

Program Revision, With No Changes 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (j) of AD 2023–04–13, with no 

changes. For airplanes with an original 

airworthiness certificate or original export 

certificate of airworthiness issued on or 

before January 15, 2022, 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 2022–0136, dated July 6, 2022 

(EASA AD 2022–0136). Accomplishing the 

revision of the existing maintenance or 

inspection program required by paragraph (j) 

of this AD terminates the requirements of this 

paragraph. 

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2022– 

0136, With No Changes 

This paragraph restates the exceptions 

specified in paragraph (k) of AD 2023–04–13, 

with no changes. 

(1) The requirements specified in 

paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022– 

0136 do not apply to this AD. 

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022–0136 

specifies revising ‘‘the approved AMP’’ 

within 12 months after its effective date, but 

this AD requires revising the existing 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable within 90 days after May 12, 2023 

(the effective date of AD 2023–04–13). 

(3) The initial compliance time for doing 

the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2022–0136 is at the applicable 

‘‘limitation’’ and ‘‘associated thresholds’’ as 

incorporated by the requirements of 

paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022–0136, or 

within 90 days after the May 12, 2023 (the 

effective date of AD 2023–04–13), whichever 

occurs later. 

(4) The provisions specified in paragraphs 

(4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022–0136 do not 

apply to this AD. 

(5) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2022–0136 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) Retained Provisions for Alternative 

Actions or Intervals, With a New Exception 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (l) of AD 2023–04–13, with a new 

exception. Except as required by paragraph 

(j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance 

or inspection program has been revised as 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no 

alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or 

intervals may be used unless they are 

approved as specified in the provisions of the 

‘‘Ref. Publications’’ section of EASA AD 

2022–0136. 

(j) New Maintenance or Inspection Program 

Revision 

Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, EASA AD 2023–0100, 

dated May 11, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0100). 

Accomplishing the revision of the existing 

maintenance or inspection program required 

by this paragraph terminates the 

requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0100 

(1) This AD does not adopt the 

requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and 

(2) of EASA AD 2023–0100. 

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023–0100 

specifies revising ‘‘the approved AMP’’ 

within 12 months after its effective date, but 

this AD requires revising the existing 

maintenance or inspection program, as 

applicable, within 90 days after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(3) The initial compliance time for doing 

the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 

AD 2023–0100 is at the applicable 

‘‘limitations’’ and ‘‘associated thresholds’’ as 

incorporated by the requirements of 

paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023–0100, or 

within 90 days after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs later. 

(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions 

specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 

AD 2023–0100. 

(5) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ 

section of EASA AD 2023–0100. 

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions 

and Intervals 

After the maintenance or inspection 

program has been revised as required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative 

actions (e.g., inspections), and intervals are 

allowed unless they are approved as 

specified in the provisions of the ‘‘Ref. 

Publications’’ section of EASA AD 2023– 

0100. 

(m) Terminating Action for Certain Actions 

in AD 2010–26–05 

Accomplishing the actions required by 

paragraph (g) or (j) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of AD 2010– 

26–05, for Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 

2000EX airplanes only. 

(n) 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 International Validation Branch, send 

it to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (o) of this AD. Information may be 

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

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 EASA; or Dassault 

Aviation’s EASA Design Organization 

Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 

the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(o) Additional Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Tom Rodriguez, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 

231–3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov. 

(p) 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. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
86032 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

(3) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on January 16, 2024. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2023–0100, dated May 11, 2023. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(4) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on May 12, 2023 (88 FR 

20741, April 7, 2023). 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2022–0136, dated July 6, 2022. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(5) For EASA ADs 2022–0136 and 2023– 

0100, 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 these 

EASA ADs on the EASA website: 

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(6) 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. 

(7) You may view this material at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ 

ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. 

Issued on November 9, 2023. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–27117 Filed 12–11–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1815; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2023–00581–T; Amendment 

39–22606; AD 2023–23–04] 

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 all 

Airbus SAS Model A321–111, –112, 

–131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

stress analysis results indicating that 

cracks may appear in the center wing 

box at frame 42 and slanted junction 

areas. This AD requires a one-time 

inspection of the center wing box at 

frame 42 and slanted junction areas, and 

applicable corrective actions, if 

necessary, 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 January 16, 

2024. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 16, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1815; 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– 

2023–1815. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim 

Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 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 all Airbus SAS Model A321– 

111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231, 

and –232 airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

September 6, 2023 (88 FR 60908). The 

NPRM was prompted by AD 2023–0074, 

dated April 5, 2023, issued by EASA, 

which is the Technical Agent for the 

Member States of the European Union 

(EASA AD 2023–0074) (also referred to 

as the MCAI). The MCAI states that 

stress analysis results from A321 XLR 

certification and fatigue and damage 

tolerance harmonization have revealed 

that cracks may appear in the center 

wing box at frame 42 and slanted 

junction areas of the affected airplanes. 

Cracks may appear due to the high 

fatigue stress in affected areas. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require a one-time inspection of the 

center wing box at frame 42 and slanted 

junction areas, and applicable corrective 

actions, if necessary, as specified in 

EASA AD 2023–0074. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to detect potential 

cracks in the center wing box at frame 

42 and slanted junction areas. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could affect the structural integrity of 

the fuselage. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket at regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FAA–2023–1815. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the cost to the public. 

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 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, 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 

EASA AD 2023–0074 specifies 

procedures for one-time rototest and 

high frequency eddy current inspections 

for cracks of the center wing box rear 

lower spar junction area at frame 42; a 

rototest inspection for cracks of the 

frame 42 slanted beam connection; a 

detailed visual inspection of certain 

fasteners for damage; and applicable 

corrective actions. Corrective actions 

include obtaining and following 

instructions for crack repair and 

replacing damaged fasteners. 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. 


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