Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 42687 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0131; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01628–T; Amendment 

39–21658; AD 2021–15–11] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus SAS Model A330–200, –300, 

–800, and –900 series airplanes; and 

Model A340–200, –300, –500, and –600 

series airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by reports that certain oxygen supply 

solenoid valves are a potential source of 

increased flow resistance within the 

flightcrew oxygen system. This AD 

requires a special detailed inspection 

(flow test) of certain solenoid valves, 

and replacement 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 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– 

0131. 

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– 

0131; 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 2020–0273, 

dated December 9, 2020 (EASA AD 

2020–0273) (also referred to as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or the MCAI), to correct an 

unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS 

Model A330–201, A330–202, A330–203, 

A330–223, A330–243, A330–301, A330– 

302, A330–303, A330–321, A330–322, 

A330–323, A330–341, A330–342, A330– 

343, A330–743L, A330–841, A330–941, 

A340–211, A340–212, A340–213, A340– 

311, A340–312, A340–313, A340–541, 

A340–542, A340–642, and A340–643 

airplanes. Model 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 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, –300, –800, and –900 series 

airplanes; and Model A340–200, –300, 

–500, and –600 series airplanes. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on March 8, 2021 (86 FR 

13239). The NPRM was prompted by 

reports that certain oxygen supply 

solenoid valves are a potential source of 

increased flow resistance within the 

flightcrew oxygen system. The NPRM 

proposed to require a special detailed 

inspection (flow test) of certain solenoid 

valves, and replacement if necessary, as 

specified in EASA AD 2020–0273. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

increased flow resistance within the 

flightcrew oxygen system, which could 

lead to a reduced flow of oxygen supply 

to the flightcrew oxygen masks, and in 

combination with in-flight 

depressurization, smoke in the flight 

deck, or a smoke evacuation procedure, 

could lead to flightcrew hypoxia and 

loss of useful consciousness, resulting 

in loss of control of the airplane. See the 

MCAI for additional background 

information. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this final rule. The following presents 

the comments received on the NPRM 

and the FAA’s response to each 

comment. 

Request To Allow Additional Source of 

Service Information 

Delta Air Lines (DAL) asked that the 

FAA add a paragraph (h)(3) to the 

proposed AD which would allow 

operators to use the serial numbers 

identified in Safran Service Information 

Letter (SIL) SIL120, dated May 20, 2019, 

instead of the year of manufacture, to 

determine whether a solenoid valve is 

an affected part, as defined in EASA AD 

2020–0273. DAL stated that the SIL 

contains the serial numbers and year of 

manufacture of affected solenoid valves. 

The FAA agrees to clarify. EASA AD 

2020–0273 does not specify how to 

determine whether a solenoid valve is 

an affected part. The FAA agrees that 

operators can use Safran SIL120 as an 

additional source of guidance for 

identification of the affected parts by the 

serial numbers. The FAA has added 

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD 

stating that additional guidance for 

identification of affected parts can be 

found in Safran Service Information 

Letter SIL120, dated May 20, 2019. 

Request Not To Return Affected Valves 

to Manufacturer 

DAL asked that the requirement to 

send any affected solenoid valves back 

to Zodiac for repair, in which is 

specified as ‘‘Required for Compliance’’ 

(RC) in the applicable service 

information identified in EASA AD 

2020–0273 be excluded in the proposed 

AD. DAL stated that all affected parts 

must pass a flow test with no defects 

found prior to the next flight of the 

airplane after installation on the 

airplane. 

The FAA agrees with the commenter 

for the reasons provided. The FAA has 

revised paragraph (i) of this AD to 

exclude the requirement to send any 

affected solenoid valve back to Zodiac 

for repair. 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this 


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42688 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

final rule with the changes described 

previously and 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. 

The FAA also determined that these 

changes will not increase the economic 

burden on any operator or increase the 

scope of this final rule. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2020–0273 describes 

procedures for doing a special detailed 

inspection (flow test) of certain solenoid 

valves by using the flightcrew oxygen 

masks and replacing any solenoid valve 

that fails the flow test with a serviceable 

part. 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 112 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following costs 

to comply with this AD: 

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 .......................................................................................... $0 $255 $28,560 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacement 

that would be required based on the 

results of any actions. The FAA has no 

way of determining the number of 

aircraft that might need replacement: 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTION

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ............................................................................................................................ Up to $5,496 Up to $5,581. 

According to the manufacturer, some 

or all of the costs of this AD may be 

covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

operators. The FAA does not control 

warranty coverage for affected operators. 

As a result, the FAA has included all 

known costs in the cost estimate. 

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: 

2021–15–11 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39– 

21658; Docket No. FAA–2021–0131; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2020–01628–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, certificated in any category, 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of 

this AD. 

(1) Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223, and 

–243 airplanes. 

(2) Model A330–301, –302, –303, –321, 

–322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 airplanes. 

(3) Model A330–841 airplanes. 

(4) Model A330–941 airplanes. 

(5) Model A340–211, –212, and –213 

airplanes. 

(6) Model A340–311, –312, and –313 

airplanes. 

(7) Model A340–541 airplanes. 

(8) Model A340–642 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 35, Oxygen. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports that 

certain oxygen supply solenoid valves are a 

potential source of increased flow resistance 

within the flightcrew oxygen system. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address increased 

flow resistance within the flightcrew oxygen 

system, which could lead to a reduced flow 

of oxygen supply to the flightcrew oxygen 

masks, and in combination with in-flight 

depressurization, smoke in the flight deck, or 

a smoke evacuation procedure, could lead to 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 42689 

flightcrew hypoxia and loss of useful 

consciousness, resulting in loss of control 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 2020–0273, dated 

December 9, 2020 (EASA AD 2020–0273). 

Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for 

identifying affected oxygen supply solenoid 

valves as defined in EASA AD 2020–0273, 

can be found in Safran Service Information 

Letter SIL120, dated May 20, 2019. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020–0273 

(1) Where EASA AD 2020–0273 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

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

2020–0273 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) No Reporting or Parts Return Required 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2020–0273 specifies 

to submit certain information and return any 

affected solenoid valve to the manufacturer 

for repair, this AD does not require those 

actions. 

(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 local Flight Standards 

District 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): For any 

service information referenced in EASA AD 

2020–0273 that contains RC procedures and 

tests: Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) 

of this AD, RC 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 2020–0273, dated December 9, 

2020. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2020–0273, 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–2021–0131. 

(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 15, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–16564 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–2021–0349; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00103–T; Amendment 

39–21660; AD 2021–15–13] 

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 A330–841 and –941 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of missing or disbonded 

pressure seals on two thrust reverser 

(TR) translating cowls. This AD requires 

a one-time inspection of each thrust 

reverser for damage, seal bonding 

rework, and replacement of translating 

cowl pressure seals 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 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– 

0349. 

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– 

0349; 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, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES