[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 108 (Friday, June 6, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24055-24057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10319]
[[Page 24055]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0207; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00455-T;
Amendment 39-23054; AD 2025-11-08]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an
inspection that found several anodic burns on the main landing gear
(MLG) bogie beam axles following a high velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF)
stripping process. This AD requires replacement of affected MLG bogie
beam axles and prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 11, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 11,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0207; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected].
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-2025-0207.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-
3225; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
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 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
February 20, 2025 (90 FR 9955). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0156,
dated August 13, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0156) (also
referred to as ``the MCAI''). The MCAI states that during an inspection
conducted at an A350 MLG bogie beam axle supplier, several anodic burns
were observed following an HVOF stripping process. Additional MLG bogie
beam axle inspections using the same HVOF stripping process at the same
facility revealed similar findings. The analysis revealed a detrimental
impact on the fatigue life limit of the affected parts. This condition,
if not corrected, could lead to structural failure of the MLG and
consequent collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and
injury to the occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of affected
MLG bogie beam axles and prohibit the installation of affected parts,
as specified in EASA AD 2024-0156. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0207.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International, who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA also received comments from ProTech Aero Services Limited,
who requested the FAA confirm that the proposed AD would allow the use
of later-approved revisions of the material specified in EASA AD 2024-
0156, as acceptable for compliance with the AD requirements.
This AD does allow the use of later-approved revisions of the
material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0156 as acceptable for compliance
with the required actions. This AD adopts the ``Ref. Publications''
section of EASA AD 2024-0156, which includes the current version of the
referenced material as well as later approved revisions.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any 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. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0156 specifies procedures for replacing the affected
MLG bogie beam axle (i.e., an MLG wheel axle having part number 55-
3575047-00 and a serial number listed in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2024-
0156) with a serviceable part. The replacement includes inspecting
bogie beam bushes to determine the diameter and inspecting for surface
damage and applicable repairs. EASA AD 2024-0156 also approves the
replacement of an MLG or MLG bogie beam equipped with an affected part
with an MLG or MLG bogie beam having a serviceable part installed as an
alternative method for replacing an affected MLG wheel axle. EASA AD
2024-0156 also prohibits the installation of affected parts and
prohibits installation of an MLG having an affected part installed.
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 36 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 24056]]
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Replacement................... Up to 48 work- Unknown *....... Up to $4,080 *.. Up to $146,880.*
hours x $85 per
hour = $4,080.
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* The FAA has received no data on which to estimate the cost for the parts specified in this AD.
On-Condition Costs
The FAA has not included a cost estimate for the on-condition
repair of any bogie beam bushes found with damage during the axle
replacement because the extent of damage found could vary significantly
from airplane to airplane. The FAA has no way of determining the cost
to repair any damage or the number of airplanes that may require
repair.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the parts manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs
of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-11-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23054; Docket No. FAA-2025-0207;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00455-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 11, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an inspection that found several anodic
burns on the main landing gear (MLG) bogie beam axles following a
high velocity oxygen-fuel stripping process. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the anodic burns on the MLG bogie beam axles. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure
of the MLG and consequent collapse, possibly resulting in damage to
the airplane and injury to the occupants.
(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
2024-0156, dated August 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0156).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0156
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0156 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0156 defines a serviceable part as ``Any
MLG bogie beam axle, eligible for installation in accordance with
Airbus instructions, that is not an affected part'', for this AD
replace that text with ``Any MLG bogie beam axle, eligible for
installation, that is not an affected part''.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0156 specifies a
compliance time for the replacement, for this AD, do the replacement
within 24,000 flight hours or 5,700 flight cycles, whichever occurs
first since first installation of the affected part on an airplane,
or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0156 specifies ``in
accordance with the instructions of the SB'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``in accordance with the replacement
instructions of the SB''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0156.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and
email to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520,
Continued
[[Page 24057]]
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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any material 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone 206-231-3225; email [email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0156,
dated August 13, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on
the EASA website at 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on May 29, 2025.
Lona C. Saccomando,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-10319 Filed 6-5-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P