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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 11, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9286-9289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02494]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0198; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00762-T; 
Amendment 39-22956; AD 2025-03-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; Model 
A330-200, -200 Freighter, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and 
Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuators 
(THSAs) being delivered to operators having erroneous information 
(accumulated life) in the authorized release certificate. This AD 
requires contacting Collins Aerospace for amended authorized release 
certificates for the affected parts and replacing the affected parts if 
necessary, and prohibits the installation of affected parts, 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 February 26, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 26, 
2025.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by March 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0198; 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 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     For Collins Aerospace material identified in this AD, 
contact Collins Aerospace, Product Support Department 13, Avenue de 
L'Eguillette--Saint-Ouen L'Aumone, Boite Postale 7186 95056 Cergy 
Pontoise Cedex, France; telephone 1-877-808-7575; email 
[email protected]; website https://www.collinsaerospace.com/support.
     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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0198.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone 206-
231-3667; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0198; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2024-00762-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
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 final rule because of those comments.

[[Page 9287]]

    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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Timothy 
Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone 206-231-3667; email [email protected]. 
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 2024-0247, dated December 18, 2024 
(EASA AD 2024-0247) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series 
airplanes; Model A320-211, 212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; Model A321 
series airplanes; Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -223F, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -743L, -841, and 
-941 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, 
-542, -642, and -643 airplanes. Model A320-215, A330-743L, A340-542, 
and A340-643 airplanes are not certificated by the FAA and are not 
included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore 
does not include those airplanes in the applicability. The MCAI states 
that occurrences were reported of THSAs delivered to operators having 
erroneous information (accumulated life) in the authorized release 
certificates. These THSAs were released to service between 2014 and 
2024 at some Collins Aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) 
facilities where the THSA screw jack assemblies were replaced with 
parts having higher cumulative operating life than was documented on 
the authorized release certificates.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address erroneous accumulated life 
information in the THSA release certificate, which could lead to 
operation of the THSA beyond the certificated life limit; operation of 
the THSA beyond the certificated life limit could result in failure of 
the THSA and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0198.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2024-0247 specifies procedures for contacting Collins 
Aerospace for approved instructions for obtaining amended authorized 
release certificates, which will allow operators to correctly manage 
the maintenance consequences of erroneous accumulated life values and 
ensure compliance with ADs and required airworthiness limitations 
(Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4). EASA AD 2024-0247 
also specifies procedures for replacement of affected THSAs and 
prohibits the installation of affected THSAs.
    This AD also requires Collins Aerospace Vendor Service Information 
Letter FA3T1-27-04, dated August 6, 2024, which provides a list of 
affected THSAs that were repaired at Collins Aerospace MRO facilities 
between 2014 and 2024 and released with incorrect authorized release 
certificates containing erroneous accumulated life values.
    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

    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 and 
material referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining 
that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Requirements of This AD

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the 
material described previously, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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, 
EASA AD 2024-0247 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD 
requires compliance with EASA AD 2024-0247 in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as 
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0247 does not mean 
that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where 
the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance 
times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the 
section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 
2024-0247. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0247 for compliance will 
be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0198 after 
this AD is published.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because erroneous accumulated life

[[Page 9288]]

values could significantly affect the operator's ability to accurately 
manage compliance with ADs and ALS Part 4 (airworthiness limitations) 
and cause operation of the THSA beyond the certificated life limit, 
which could result in failure of the THSA and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane. Accordingly, notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,087 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............                  $0                  $85                  $177,395
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the 
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition replacement 
specified in this 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

    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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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

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:

2025-03-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22956; Docket No. FAA-2025-0198; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00762-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 26, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of 
this AD.
    (1) Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -
132, -133, -151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes.
    (3) Airbus SAS Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -
233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -
231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -253NY, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes.
    (5) Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -223F, -
243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, 
and -941 airplanes.
    (6) Airbus SAS Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -
541, and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of trimmable horizontal 
stabilizer actuators (THSAs) being delivered to operators having 
erroneous information (accumulated life) in the authorized release 
certificate. The FAA is issuing this AD to address erroneous 
accumulated life information in the THSA release certificate, which 
could lead to operation of the THSA beyond the certificated life 
limit; operation of the THSA beyond the certificated life limit 
could result in failure of the THSA and consequent reduced 
controllability 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 2024-0247, dated December 18, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0247).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0247

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0247 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0247 defines a serviceable part as ``A 
THSA eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus 
instructions,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``A THSA 
eligible for installation.''
    (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0247 defines ``the VSIL,'' for this AD, 
operators must use Collins Aerospace Vendor Service Information 
Letter FA3T1-27-04, dated August 6, 2024.

[[Page 9289]]

    (4) This AD requires replacing Note 1 of EASA AD 2024-0247 with 
``If no approved instructions are provided within the compliance 
time of paragraph (1) of this AD, paragraph (2) of this AD must be 
accomplished before further flight. The affected part is eligible to 
be considered a serviceable part based on the content of the Collins 
Aerospace approved instructions, once received and accomplished, as 
required in paragraph (1) of this AD.''
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0247.

(i) 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 (j) of this AD and email to: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone 206-231-3667; email [email protected].

(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 2024-0247, 
dated December 18, 2024.
    (ii) Collins Aerospace Vendor Service Information Letter FA3T1-
27-04, dated August 6, 2024.
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) For Collins Aerospace material identified in this AD, 
contact Collins Aerospace, Customer Support Center, 2730 West Tyvola 
Road, Charlotte, NC 28217; telephone 860-654-2500; email 
[email protected]; website customers.collinsaerospace.com.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 [email protected].

    Issued on February 4, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02494 Filed 2-7-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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