Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 137 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34176-34178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13594]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0345; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00475-T; 
Amendment 39-23087; AD 2025-14-09]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27-
01, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes. AD 2022-27-01 required replacing affected fasteners and 
applying additional head nut cap protection at the front and rear spars 
in the center wing box (CWB). Since the FAA issued AD 2022-27-01, the 
FAA determined that additional Airbus SAS Model A350 manufacturer 
serial numbers (MSNs) are affected by the same potential unsafe 
condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-27-01 
and expands the applicability to include the additional Airbus SAS 
Model A350 MSNs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 25, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0345; 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 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.
    <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-2025-0345.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaitlyn Kosten, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
404-545-5064; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-27-01, Amendment 39-22286 (87 FR 
80026, December 29, 2022) (AD 2022-27-01). AD 2022-27-01 applied to 
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-27-01 
required replacing affected fasteners and applying additional head nut 
cap protection at the front and rear spars in the CWB, as specified in 
EASA AD 2022-0080, dated May 9, 2022. The FAA issued AD 2022-27-01 to 
address fasteners installed in the CWB rotating inside their fastener 
holes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to loss of a 
fastener clamping and cracking of the nut sealant cover, possibly 
resulting, in case of lightning strike, in a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2025 
(90 FR 11916). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0161, dated August 19, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0161) (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 additional Airbus SAS Model A350 
MSNs are affected by the same potential unsafe condition, and the 
service information has been revised to identify the additional 
airplanes. EASA AD 2024-0161 retains the requirements of EASA AD 2022-
0080 and expands the applicability to include additional Airbus SAS 
Model A350 MSNs.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2022-27-01 and to expand the applicability to include the additional 
Airbus SAS Model A350 MSNs, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0161. 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-2025-0345.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from ProTech Aero Services Limited, 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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 
considered the comment 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0161, which specifies procedures for 
replacing affected fasteners installed on the left-hand and right-hand 
CWB at the front and rear spar areas, and for adding head nut cap 
protection at the front and

[[Page 34177]]

rear spars in the CWB. 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 34 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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                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
           Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost       Cost per product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace fasteners...........  Up to 83 work-hours x    Up to $17,716.....  Up to $24,771.....  Up to $842,214.
                               $85 per hour = $7,055.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-27-01, Amendment 39-22286 
(87 FR 80026, December 29, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2025-14-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23087; Docket No. FAA-2025-0345; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00475-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 25, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2022-27-01, Amendment 39-22286 (87 FR 80026, 
December 29, 2022) (AD 2022-27-01).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0161, dated August 19, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0161).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted a report that during flight and fatigue 
testing it was detected that some fasteners installed in the center 
wing box (CWB) rotated inside their fastener holes. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address fasteners installed in the CWB rotating 
inside their fastener holes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could lead to loss of a fastener clamping and cracking of the nut 
sealant cover, possibly resulting, in case of lightning strike, in a 
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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, EASA AD 2024-0161.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0161

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0161 refers to ``23 May 2022 [the 
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0080],'' this AD requires using 
February 2, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-01).
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0161.

(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].
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-27-01 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0161 that are 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (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.
    (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

[[Page 34178]]

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 Kaitlyn Kosten, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; telephone 404-545-5064; 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 2024-0161, 
dated August 19, 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 July 11, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13594 Filed 7-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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