Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 42691 

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. 

Adoption of 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: 

2021–15–13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39– 

21660; Docket No. FAA–2021–0349; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00103–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective September 9, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model 

A330–841 and –941 airplanes, certificated in 

any category. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 78, Engine exhaust. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

missing or disbonded pressure seals on two 

thrust reverser (TR) translating cowls. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address missing or 

disbonded TR translating cowl seal segments. 

In a case where all seal segments were 

missing, this condition, if not addressed, 

could lead to loss of thrust at maximum 

continuous thrust or at takeoff/go-around, 

possibly resulting in substantially reduced 

performance 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, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0035, dated 

January 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0035). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0035 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0035 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

2021–0035 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0035 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, 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 Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-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, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation 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. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except 

as required by paragraph (j)(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. 

(k) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3229; email 

vladimir.ulyanov@faa.gov. 

(l) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0035, dated January 25, 

2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0035, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

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

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. This material may be found 

in the AD docket on the internet at https:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0349. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@

nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/ 

federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on July 16, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–16562 Filed 8–4–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0371; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00102–T; Amendment 

39–21654; AD 2021–15–07] 

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 A330–200, –200 

Freighter, –300, –800, and –900 series 

airplanes; and Model A340–200 and 

–300 series airplanes. This AD was 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
42692 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

prompted by reports of incorrect 

installation of the lower attachment 

parts of the trimmable horizontal 

stabilizer actuator (THSA). This AD 

requires doing a detailed inspection of 

the THSA lower attachment parts for 

discrepancies and corrective action if 

necessary, and prohibits using earlier 

versions of certain airplane maintenance 

manual (AMM) tasks, 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 September 9, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of September 9, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated 

by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

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

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view this IBR 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 on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0371. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0371; 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, 

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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax: 206–231–3229; email 

vladimir.ulyanov@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0033, 

dated January 25, 2021 (EASA AD 

2021–0033) (also referred to as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or the MCAI), to correct an 

unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS 

Model A330–200, –200 Freighter, –300, 

–800, and –900 series airplanes; and 

Model A340–200 and –300 series 

airplanes. Model A330–743L 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 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 A330– 

200, –200 Freighter, –300, –800, and 

–900 series airplanes; and Model A340– 

200 and –300 series airplanes. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on May 18, 2021 (86 FR 26855). 

The NPRM was prompted by reports of 

incorrect installation of the lower 

attachment parts of the THSA. The 

NPRM proposed to require doing a 

detailed inspection of the THSA lower 

attachment parts for discrepancies and 

corrective action if necessary, and to 

prohibit using earlier versions of certain 

AMM tasks, as specified in EASA AD 

2021–0033. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this final rule. The FAA has considered 

the comment received. The Air Line 

Pilots Association, International (ALPA) 

indicated its support for the NPRM. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this 

final rule as proposed, except for minor 

editorial changes. The FAA has 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM for 

addressing the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0033 describes 

procedures for doing a detailed 

inspection of the THSA lower 

attachment parts for discrepancies (i.e., 

incorrect installation) and corrective 

actions (which includes detailed 

inspections of the horizontal stabilizer, 

the assembly of the trim actuating arms, 

the support fittings, and the upper and 

lower attachment plates for any cracks, 

dents and scratches, corrosion, 

deterioration of the structure, the 

condition of the fasteners and bearings, 

and repair; and re-installing or replacing 

the THSA lower attachment parts) if 

necessary. EASA AD 2021–0033 also 

prohibits using earlier versions of 

certain AMM tasks. 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 120 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 

2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 .......................................................................................... $0 $170 $20,400 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary on-condition 

actions that would be required based on 

the results of any required actions. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of aircraft that might need these 

on-condition actions: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 42693 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

25 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,125 ................................................................................................................. $821,060 $823,185 

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. 

Adoption of 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: 

2021–15–07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39– 

21654; Docket No. FAA–2021–0371; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00102–T. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective September 9, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus SAS 

airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) 

through (7) of this AD, certificated in any 

category. 

(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. 

(6) Model A340–211, –212, and –213 

airplanes. 

(7) Model A340–311, –312, and –313 

airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27, Flight controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

incorrect installation of the lower attachment 

parts of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer 

actuator (THSA). The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address incorrect installation of the THSA 

lower attachment parts, which could lead to 

the loss of THSA primary load path and 

consequent activation of THSA secondary 

load path (which is designed to withstand 

full loads only for a limited period of time), 

and possibly result in 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, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0033, dated 

January 25, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0033). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0033 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0033 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

2021–0033 does not apply to this AD. 

(3) Where any service information in EASA 

AD 2021–0033 specifies to contact Airbus in 

case of findings, this AD requires doing a 

repair using a method approved by the 

Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation 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. 

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, 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 Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-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, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or Airbus SAS’s EASA DOA. If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-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 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
42694 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax: 206–231–3229; email 

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0033, dated January 25, 

2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0033, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

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

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. This material may be found 

in the AD docket on the internet at https:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0371. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@

nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/ 

federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on July 14, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–16561 Filed 8–4–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0343; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00013–T; Amendment 

39–21655; AD 2021–15–08] 

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 A350–941 and –1041 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

report that during an inspection of the 

flight deck escape hatches it was found 

that they were difficult to open from the 

inside, and several hatches were found 

impossible to open from the outside. 

Subsequent investigation revealed 

corrosion on the flight deck escape 

hatch mechanism due to condensation 

penetrating inside the mechanism. This 

AD requires replacing all affected flight 

deck escape hatches with serviceable 

hatches, 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 September 9, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of September 9, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated 

by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

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

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view this IBR 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 on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0343. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0343; 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, 

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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3218; email 

kathleen.arrigotti@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0004, 

dated January 6, 2021 (EASA AD 2021– 

0004) (also referred to as the Mandatory 

Continuing Airworthiness Information, 

or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 

condition for all Airbus SAS Model 

A350–941 and –1041 airplanes. 

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 A350– 

941 and –1041 airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

May 7, 2021 (86 FR 24549). The NPRM 

was prompted by a report that during an 

inspection of the flight deck escape 

hatches it was found that they were 

difficult to open from the inside, and 

several hatches were found impossible 

to open from the outside. Subsequent 

investigation revealed corrosion on the 

flight deck escape hatch mechanism due 

to condensation penetrating inside the 

mechanism. The NPRM proposed to 

require replacing all affected flight deck 

escape hatches with serviceable hatches, 

as specified in EASA AD 2021–0004. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

possible inaccessibility of the flight 

deck escape hatch, which could impede 

flightcrew evacuation during an 

emergency. See the MCAI for additional 

background information. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this final rule. The Air Line Pilots 

Association, International (ALPA) 

indicated its support for the NPRM. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this 

final rule as proposed, except for minor 

editorial changes. The FAA has 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM for 

addressing the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2021–0004 describes 

procedures for replacing all affected 

flight deck escape hatches with 

serviceable flight deck escape hatches. 

This material is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES