Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11660-11662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03858]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2421; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00221-T; 
Amendment 39-22973; AD 2025-05-01]
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 
certain Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 
airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 
called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a 
determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. This AD requires 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 incorporated by reference. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 15, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 15, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2421; 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 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.
    <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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2421.

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 certain Airbus SAS 
Model A300-600 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 7, 2024 (89 FR 88174). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
2024-0083, dated April 9, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0083) 
(also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed.
    EASA AD 2024-0083 specifies that it requires a task (limitation) 
already in Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
2 Revision 4 that is required by EASA AD 2024-0009 (which corresponds 
to FAA AD 2024-16-02, Amendment 39-22808 (89 FR 75464, September 16, 
2024) (AD 2024-16-02)), and that incorporation of EASA AD 2024-0083 
invalidates (terminates) prior instructions for that task. This AD, 
therefore, terminates the limitations required by paragraph (dd) of AD 
2024-16-02 for the tasks identified in the material referenced in EASA 
AD 2024-0083 only.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 
2024-0083. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, 
damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, 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-2024-2421.

[[Page 11661]]

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA also received comments from FedEx, who supported the NPRM 
and had additional comments. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Supersede AD 2024-16-02

    FedEx requested that the proposed AD be revised to supersede AD 
2024-16-02 so that only one AD tracks the requirements in Airbus A300-
600 ALS Part 2 Revision 4, Variation 4.1, dated January 10, 2024.
    The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. This AD requires 
complying with EASA AD 2024-0083, which requires incorporating Airbus 
A300-600 ALS Part 2 Revision 4, Variation 4.1, not the full Airbus 
A300-600 ALS Part 2, Revision 4 document. Additionally, EASA AD 2024-
0083 does not supersede EASA AD 2024-0009. Therefore, this AD does not 
supersede AD 2024-16-02, but instead terminates the corresponding 
requirements of AD 2024-16-02 for the tasks identified in the material 
referenced in EASA AD 2024-0083 only.

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, considered the 
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. 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 2024-0083 specifies new airworthiness limitations for 
airplane structures and safe life limits. 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:
    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. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per 
operator 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

    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(f), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-05-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22973; Docket No. FAA-2024-2421; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00221-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 15, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2024-16-02, Amendment 39-22808 (89 FR 75464, 
September 16, 2024) (AD 2024-16-02).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2024-0083, dated April 9, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0083).
    (1) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
    (2) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (3) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R 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, damage, and corrosion 
in principal 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) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and

[[Page 11662]]

compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2024-
0083.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0083

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0083.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0083 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 2024-0083 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of 
EASA AD 2024-0083, or within 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraph 
(4) of EASA AD 2024-0083.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0083.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) 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 2024-0083.

(j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2024-16-02

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the 
corresponding requirements of AD 2024-16-02 for the tasks identified 
in the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0083 only.

(k) 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention 
of the person identified in paragraph (l) 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 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.

(l) 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].

(m) 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 2024-0083, 
dated April 9, 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]; 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 February 25, 2025.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03858 Filed 3-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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