Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67627-67629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21635]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1220; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00478-T; 
Amendment 39-22553; AD 2023-19-03]
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 A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter 
series airplanes; Model A330-300 series airplanes; Model A330-800 
series airplanes; Model A330-900 series airplanes; Model A340-200 
series airplanes; and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report of cracks found in the fuel control unit housing 
assembly of a Honeywell GTCP331-350 auxiliary power unit (APU), which 
caused fuel leakage in the APU compartment. This AD requires replacing 
any affected APU fuel control unit or affected APU, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts 
under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 6, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1220; 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:
    <bullet> For EASA material incorporated by reference 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.
    <bullet> For Honeywell International Inc. service information 
incorporated by reference in this AD, contact Honeywell International, 
Inc., 111 South 34th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034; phone: (800) 601-3099; 
fax: (602) 365-5577; website: myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal.
    <bullet> 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 in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3667; 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 Model A330-200 
series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model 
A330-300 series airplanes; Model A330-800 series airplanes; Model A330-
900 series airplanes; Model A340-200 series airplanes; and Model A340-
300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
June 27, 2023 (88 FR 41516). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0057, 
dated March 16, 2023, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2023-0057) (also 
referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states cracks were found in the fuel 
control unit housing assembly of a Honeywell GTCP331-350 APU, which 
caused fuel leakage in the APU compartment. This condition, if not 
addressed, could lead to an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the APU, 
or a fire in the APU compartment, possibly resulting in damage to the 
airplane.

[[Page 67628]]

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing any affected APU 
fuel control unit or affected APU, as specified in EASA AD 2023-0057. 
The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of affected parts 
under certain conditions. 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-2023-1220.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data 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. 
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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0057 specifies procedures for replacing affected APU 
fuel control units or APUs. EASA AD 2023-0057 also prohibits the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions.
    Honeywell Service Bulletin GTCP331-49-7954, dated December 19, 
2007, specifies serial numbers for affected APU fuel control units.
    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 128 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
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Up to 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425             * $  Up to $425................  Up to $54,400.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts cost estimate.

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the APU 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:

2023-19-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22553; Docket No. FAA-2023-1220; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00478-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 6, 2023.

(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 49, Airborne 
Auxiliary Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks in the fuel control 
unit housing assembly of a Honeywell GTCP331-350

[[Page 67629]]

auxiliary power unit (APU), which caused fuel leakage in the APU 
compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the cracked fuel 
control unit housing assemblies. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in an uncommanded APU in-flight shutdown, or 
fire in the APU compartment, which could result in damage to 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 
2023-0057, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0057).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0057

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0057 refers to its effective date; this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0057.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0057 defines ``the SB,'' for this AD, 
operators must use Honeywell Service Bulletin GTCP331-49-7954, dated 
December 19, 2007.

(i) 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 International 
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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, 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 (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 changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2023-0057, 
dated March 16, 2023.
    (ii) Honeywell Service Bulletin GTCP331-49-7954, dated December 
19, 2007.
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0057, 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 EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) For Honeywell service information identified in this AD, 
contact Honeywell International, Inc., 111 South 34th Street, 
Phoenix, AZ 85034; phone: (800) 601-3099; fax: (602) 365-5577; 
website: myaerospace.honeywell.com/wps/portal.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 
[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 15, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21635 Filed 9-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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