[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59853-59857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15959]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1894; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00036-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2023-21-02, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series, 
A330-200 Freighter series, A330-300 series, A330-800 series, and A330-
900 series airplanes. AD 2023-21-02 requires revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 
2023-21-02, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would 
continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-21-02 and would require 
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 proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 
9, 2024.

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-2024-1894; 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 NPRM, 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, 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,

[[Page 59854]]

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-
2024-1894.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3229; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1894; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2024-00036-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal because of those comments.
    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 NPRM.

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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2023-21-02, Amendment 39-22574 (88 FR 76107, 
November 6, 2023) (AD 2023-21-02), for certain Airbus SAS Model 330-
201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841 and -941 airplanes. AD 2023-21-02 was 
prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2022-0187, 
dated September 13, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0187) and AD 2023-0015, dated 
January 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0015) (which correspond to FAA AD 2023-
21-02), to correct an unsafe condition.
    AD 2023-21-02 requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2023-21-
02 to address fatigue cracking, accidental damage, and corrosion in 
principal structural elements; such fatigue cracking, accidental 
damage, and corrosion could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2023-21-02 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2023-21-02, EASA superseded AD 2022-0187 
and EASA AD 2023-0015 and issued EASA AD 2024-0011, dated January 10, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0011), for all Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -
203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -
341, -342, -343, -841 and -941 airplanes. EASA AD 2024-0011 states that 
new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed.
    Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued after October 20, 2023, must 
comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; 
this proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address fatigue cracking, 
accidental damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements; such 
fatigue cracking, accidental damage, and corrosion could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1894.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0011. This material specifies new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures.
    This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2022-0187 and EASA AD 
2023-0015, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of December 11, 2023 (88 FR 76107, 
November 6, 2023).
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

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 
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2023-21-02. 
This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance 
or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are specified in EASA 
AD 2024-0011 already described, as proposed for incorporation by 
reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2024-0011 are identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas 
addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to 
accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, 
to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for 
an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph 
(m)(1) of this proposed AD.

[[Page 59855]]

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, the 
FAA proposes to retain the IBR of EASA AD 2022-0187 and EASA AD 2023-
0015 and incorporate EASA AD 2024-0011 by reference in the FAA final 
rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA 
AD 2024-0011, EASA AD 2022-0187, and EASA AD 2023-0015 through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are 
the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2022-0187, 
EASA 2023-0015, or EASA AD 2024-0011 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 2024-0011. 
Service information required by EASA AD 2024-0011 for compliance will 
be available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2024-1894 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must 
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections), or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals 
are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in 
the AMOCs paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format 
includes a ``New Provisions for Alternative and Intervals'' paragraph 
that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still 
request an AMOC to use an alternative or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 126 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2023-21-02 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 proposed 
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

    The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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) 2023-21-02, Amendment 39-22574 
(88 FR 76107, November 6, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2024-1894; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00036-T.

 (a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 9, 2024.

 (b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2023-21-02, Amendment 39-22574 (88 FR 76107, 
November 6, 2023) (AD 2023-21-02).

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes, identified 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 20, 
2023.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.

[[Page 59856]]

    (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 fatigue cracking, accidental damage, and 
corrosion in principle structural elements. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity 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 New Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2023-21-02, with new terminating action. For airplanes with an 
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before November 18, 2022: Except as 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, comply with all required 
actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0187, dated 
September 13, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0187), and AD 2023-0015, dated 
January 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0015); as applicable. Where EASA AD 
2023-0015 affects the same airworthiness limitations as those in 
EASA AD 2022-0187, the airworthiness limitations referenced in EASA 
AD 2023-0015 prevail. Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0187 and EASA AD 2023-0015, 
With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(k) of AD 2023-21-02, with no changes.
    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0187 and of EASA AD 2023-
0015.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0187 and of EASA AD 2023-0015 
specifies revising ``the AMP'' within 12 months after the respective 
EASA AD's effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days 
after December 11, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-21-02).
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0187 and of EASA AD 2023-0015 is at 
the applicable ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0187 and of EASA AD 
2023-0015, or within 90 days after December 11, 2023 (the effective 
date of AD 2023-21-02), whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0187.
    (5) Where EASA AD 2022-0187 defines ``The ALS,'' replace the 
text ``Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2 
Revision 05,'' with ``Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 2 Revision 05 Issue 02.''
    (6) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraph 
(4) of EASA AD 2023-0015.
    (7) This AD does not require incorporating Section 4, ``Damage 
Tolerant-Airworthiness Limitations Items-Tasks Beyond MPPT,'' of 
``the ALS'' specified in EASA AD 2022-0187 and in EASA AD 2023-0015.
    (8) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0187 and of EASA AD 2023-0015.

(i) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals, With New 
Exception

    This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (l) of AD 
2023-21-02, with a new exception. Except 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 2022-0187 
or of EASA AD 2023-0015.

(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 2024-0011, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0011). 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 2024-0011

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0011.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0011 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0011 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of 
EASA AD 2024-0011, 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 2024-0011.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0011.
    (6) This AD does not require incorporating Section 4, ``Damage 
Tolerant-Airworthiness Limitations Items-Tasks Beyond MPPT,'' of 
``the ALS'' specified in EASA 2024-0011.

(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 2024-0011.

 (m) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (n) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(n) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected].

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS 
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0011, 
dated January 10, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on December 11, 
2023 (88 FR 76107, November 6, 2023).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0187, 
dated September 13, 2022.
    (ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0015, 
dated January 19, 2023.
    (5) For EASA AD 2022-0187, EASA AD 2023-0015, and EASA AD 2024-
0011, 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.

[[Page 59857]]

    (6) 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.
    (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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on July 16, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15959 Filed 7-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P