Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22446-22447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09513]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0335; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00466-T; 
Amendment 39-23043; AD 2025-10-09]
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 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
a determination that certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) items 
do not comply with MMEL certification requirements. This AD requires 
revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list 
(MEL), 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 July 2, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0335; 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]. 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-2025-0335.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kin Suen Chan, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 847-
294-7496; 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 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 5, 2025 (90 FR 11236). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
2024-0157, dated August 14, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 
2024-0157) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that certain 
MMEL items do not comply with MMEL certification requirements.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the operator's 
existing FAA-approved MEL, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0157. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address certain MMEL items that do not comply 
with MMEL certification requirements. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0335.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and ProTech Aero Services Limited (ProTech) 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 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

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0157. This material specifies 
procedures for revising the operator's MEL by incorporating the 
information in MMEL item numbers 32-42-13 ``Remote Brake Control Unit 
Channel A,'' 32-51-01 ``Steering Control,'' 27-14-01 ``Outer Aileron 
Green Hydraulic Actuator,'' 27-14-02 ``Outer Aileron Yellow Hydraulic 
Actuator,'' 27-14-03 ``Outer Aileron Pressure Sensor,'' and 32-41-02 
``Main Wheel Tie Bolt,'' as applicable. 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:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                  Labor cost                        Parts cost       Cost per product    Cost on U.S. operators
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10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850...........                 $0                $850                   $30,600
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[[Page 22447]]

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:

2025-10-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23043; Docket No. FAA-2025-0335; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00466-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 2, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls; 32, Landing Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that certain master 
minimum equipment list (MMEL) items do not comply with MMEL 
certification requirements. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
this condition, which if not corrected, 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 
2024-0157, dated August 14, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0157).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0157

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0157 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0157 specifies to 
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as they are 
already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 
121.628(a)(2) and 121.628(a)(5)).
    (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0157 specifies to 
``implement the instructions of the MMEL update, on the basis of 
which the operator's MEL must be amended,'' this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``revise the operator's existing FAA-
approved MEL by incorporating the information identified in `The 
MMEL update' as defined in EASA AD 2024-0157''.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0157.

(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 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.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kin Suen Chan, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 847-294-7496; 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 2024-0157, 
dated August 14, 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 13, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09513 Filed 5-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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