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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8663-8667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02038]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0770; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00039-T; 
Amendment 39-22913; AD 2024-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-
02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS

[[Page 8664]]

Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model 
A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes. AD 2022-19-02 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 
certain actions in AD-2022-19-02, 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 March 7, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 7, 
2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0770; 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 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.
     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-2024-0770.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3229; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171 (87 FR 
68891, November 17, 2022) (AD 2022-19-02). AD 2022-19-02 applied to 
certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series 
airplanes; and Model A330-841 and A330-941 airplanes. AD 2022-19-02 
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2022-19-02 to address the 
failure of system components, which could reduce the controllability of 
the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2024 (89 FR 
22358). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0014) (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 certain 
actions in AD 2022-19-02, and to require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 
2024-0014. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the failure of system 
components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the 
controllability of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0770.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Delta Air Lines (Delta). The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each relevant comment.

Request To Supersede Two ADs for Certain Airplanes

    Delta requested that the FAA supersede FAA AD 2013-16-11, Amendment 
39-17549 (78 FR 52405, August 23, 2013) (AD 2013-16-11) and FAA AD 
2013-22-02, Amendment 39-17634 (78 FR 65187, October 31, 2013) (AD 
2013-22-02) for the Airbus SAS Model A330-300 series airplanes in their 
applicability, since the actions in the proposed AD would duplicate the 
requirements of those ADs. Delta noted that the proposed AD would 
continue to require certain actions in AD 2022-19-02 and would require 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 
specifically, Airbus A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9, dated October 2, 2023, 
(A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9) as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014. Delta 
added that the A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9 includes two new tasks that 
duplicate the requirements in AD 2013-16-11 and AD 2013-22-02, 
providing an equivalent level of safety. Delta noted that those FAA ADs 
did not IBR the corresponding EASA ADs mentioned in the two new tasks. 
Delta stated that FAA AD 2013-16-11 requires a trimmable horizontal 
stabilizer actuator (THSA) ball screw shaft integrity test in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-27-3191, dated June 7, 2012, while task 274400-
00006-1-E of A330 ALS Part 4 Revision 9 requires that integrity check 
with the same compliance time and gives credit for the last inspection 
using that service information. Delta added that FAA AD 2013-22-02 
requires repetitive inspections of the gaps between the screw shaft and 
the tie rod teeth of the THSA in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-27-3179, 
Revision 01, while task 274400-00005-1-E requires those inspections 
with the same compliance time and gives credit for the last inspection 
using that service information.
    The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request because AD 2013-16-
11 and AD 2013-22-02 are applicable not only to Airbus SAS Model A330-
300 series airplanes, but also to Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes fitted with THSAs having specific part numbers. The A330 ALS 
Part 4 Revision 9 tasks are applicable to THSAs with Part Number (P/N) 
47147-710, while FAA AD 2013-16-11 is applicable to any THSAs with P/N 
47147-500 or P/N 47147-700, and FAA AD 2013-22-02 requires inspection 
of any THSA having P/N 47147-500 or P/N 47147-700. Furthermore, 
compliance times and corrective actions, including the replacement of 
the affected part, are more detailed in the ADs than in the A330 ALS 
Part 4 Revision 9. Additionally, EASA did not terminate or supersede 
EASA ADs 2012-0061R1,

[[Page 8665]]

dated November 30, 2012 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2013-22-02) and 
2012-0210, dated October 11, 2012 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2013-16-
11). The FAA has not changed this AD as a result of this comment.

Additional Changes Made to This Final Rule

    The FAA revised the Costs of Compliance Section of this final rule 
to include the estimated costs of retained actions, which were 
inadvertently omitted from the NPRM.
    The FAA also added paragraph (m) of this AD to specify terminating 
action for certain other ADs and added those ADs to paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The FAA intended to carry over this terminating action from AD 
2022-19-02.
    The FAA also removed paragraph (m)(3) of the proposed AD, which 
related to using service information with required for compliance (RC) 
tagging, since the required service information does not use RC 
tagging.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0014. This material specifies new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and 
safe life limits.
    This AD also requires EASA AD 2021-0250, dated November 17, 2021, 
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation 
by reference as of December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).
    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 140 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 2022-19-02 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. 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 x $85 per work-hour).

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171 
(87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2024-25-11 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22913; Docket No. FAA-2024-0770; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00039-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 7, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2022-19-02, Amendment 39-22171 (87 FR 
68891, November 17, 2022) (AD 2022-19-02).
    (2) This AD affects AD 2014-16-22, Amendment 39-17946 (79 FR 
49442, August 21, 2014) (AD 2014-16-22).
    (3) This AD affects AD 2017-25-13, Amendment 39-19127 (82 FR 
59960, December 18, 2017) (AD 2017-25-13).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an 
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before October 2, 2023.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
    (3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes.
    (4) Model A330-841 airplanes.
    (5) Model A330-941 airplanes.

(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 the failure of system

[[Page 8666]]

components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD 
2022-19-02, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before July 1, 2021, 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 2021-0250, dated November 17, 
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0250). 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 2021-0250, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(p) of AD 2022-19-02, with no changes.
    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0250 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using December 22, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-
19-02).
    (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2021-0250 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0250 specifies to ``revise the 
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 December 22, 2022 (the effective 
date of AD 2022-19-02).
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA 2021-0250 is at the applicable ``limitations 
and associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0250, or within 90 days after December 
22, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-19-02), whichever occurs 
later.
    (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2021-0250 do not apply to this AD.
    (6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0250 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, and Intervals With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (q) of AD 
2022-19-02, with no changes. Except as specified in 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) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2021-0250.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    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 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0014). 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 2024-0014

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0014.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014 specifies revising ``the 
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 2024-0014 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) 
of EASA AD 2024-0014, 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 2024-0014.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0014.

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing 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 2024-0014.

(m) Terminating Action for AD 2014-16-22 and AD 2017-25-13

    (1) Accomplishing the action required by task number 213100-
00001-1-E of ``the ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2021-0250 or ``the 
ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014, within the compliance time 
specified for that task terminates all requirements of AD 2014-16-
22, for Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series 
airplanes only.
    (2) Accomplishing the action required by task number 274400-
00004-1-E of ``the ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2021-0250 or ``the 
ALS'' as specified in EASA AD 2024-0014, within the compliance time 
specified for that task terminates all requirements of AD 2017-25-13 
for Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series 
airplanes only.

(n) 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (o) of this AD. Information may be emailed 
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.

(o) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3229; email: [email protected].

(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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 7, 2025.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0014, 
dated January 10, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 22, 2022 (87 FR 68891, November 17, 2022).
    (i) EASA AD 2021-0250, dated November 17, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For EASA AD 2024-0014 and EASA AD 2021-0250, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may 
find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (6) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
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.
    (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 [email protected].

[[Page 8667]]

    Issued on December 13, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02038 Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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