[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47938-47940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15410]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-4639; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01360-T;
Amendment 39-23422; AD 2026-15-10]
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 A330-841 and Model A330-941 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of crack findings on the sloping rib. This AD
requires a repetitive inspection of the external surface of each
sloping rib and each slat 1 inboard seal, and applicable corrective
actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-4639; 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-2026-4639.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Ashforth, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3520; 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
A330-841 and Model A330-941 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on May 20, 2026 (91 FR 29389). The NPRM was prompted
by EASA AD 2025-0179, dated August 13, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0179) (also
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that
occurrences of crack findings on the sloping rib were reported. This
condition, if not addressed, could affect the handling qualities of the
airplane, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a repetitive inspection of
the external surface of each sloping rib and each slat 1 inboard seal,
and applicable corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0179.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
[[Page 47939]]
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2026-4639.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
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 these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, 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
EASA AD 2025-0179 specifies procedures for repetitive general
visual inspection of the external surface of each left-hand (LH) and
right-hand (RH) sloping rib for damage (which includes cracking, dents,
and corrosion) and each LH and RH slat 1 inboard seal for damaged and
missing seals, and applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions
include contacting Airbus for repair instructions and doing the repair,
and replacing or reinstalling any damaged or missing seal. EASA AD
2025-0179 also specifies procedures for an alternative method of
compliance for any repetitive inspection by accomplishing a certain
inspection or replacement.
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 37 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................. $0 $85 $3,145
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
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:
2026-15-10 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23422; Docket No. FAA-2026-4639;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01360-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3,
2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and Model A330-
941 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of crack findings on the sloping
rib. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking on the sloping
rib. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the
handling qualities of the airplane, which could 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
2025-0179, dated August 13, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0179).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0179
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0179 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0179 specifies ``If any
damage is found on a
[[Page 47940]]
sloping rib, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved repair
instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein,
accomplish those instructions accordingly'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``If any cracking is detected on a sloping
rib during any inspection required by this AD, the cracking must be
repaired before further flight 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.
If any damage other than cracking is detected on a sloping rib
during any inspection required by this AD, before next flight,
contact Airbus for approved instructions and, within the compliance
time identified therein, accomplish those instructions
accordingly.''
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0179.
(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
the 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, Continued
Operational Safety 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 material referenced in EASA AD
2025-0179 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC
paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3520; 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 2025-0179,
dated August 13, 2025.
(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]; website easa.europa.eu. 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 July 20, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15410 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
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