Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44319-44321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17786]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1104; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00622-T; 
Amendment 39-23130; AD 2025-18-03]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-25-
09, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-
200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-
300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2023-25-09 required 
replacing SafeLav gaseous oxygen containers (SLGOCs) affected by a 
production deficiency and prohibiting the installation of affected 
SLGOCs. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-05-09, a new airplane model has 
been certified, on which affected parts could be installed in service. 
This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-25-09 and adds 
airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 20, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 20, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1104; 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-2025-1104.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole S. Tsang, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3959; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636 (89 FR 242, 
January 3, 2024) (AD 2023-25-09). AD 2023-25-09 applied to all Airbus 
SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-
300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 
series airplanes. AD 2023-25-09 required replacing affected SLGOCs and 
prohibiting the installation of affected SLGOCs. The FAA issued AD 
2023-25-09 to address missing heat treatment of the actuation pin of 
the SLGOC, which could cause its jamming, with consequent failure of 
oxygen flow activation. This condition, if not corrected, could prevent 
supplemental oxygen supply in case of decompression in the cabin/
lavatory, possibly resulting in injury to lavatory occupants.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2025, 
(90 FR 25520). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0197, dated October 18, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0197) (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 a new Model, A321-253NY, has been 
certified, on which affected parts could be installed in service.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2023-25-09 and to add airplanes to the applicability, as specified 
in EASA AD 2024-0197. 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-2025-1104.

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

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0197, which specifies procedures for 
replacing affected SLGOCs and prohibiting the installation of affected

[[Page 44320]]

SLGOCs. 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 2,018 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 per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2023-25-09     2 work-hours x $85 per            $4,570          $4,740      $9,309,360
 (1,964 airplanes).                      hour = $170.
New actions (54 airplanes)............  2 work-hours x $85 per             4,570           4,740         255,960
                                         hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs 
in the cost estimate.

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) 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636 
(89 FR 242, January 3, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2025-18-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23130; Docket No. FAA-2025-1104; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00622-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 20, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2023-25-09, Amendment 39-22636 (89 FR 242, 
January 3, 2024) (AD 2023-25-09).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -
272N, and -272NX airplanes.
    (5) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, 
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, and -941 
airplanes.
    (6) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a production deficiency of 
some SafeLav gaseous oxygen container (SLGOC) batches was identified 
during production testing of newly manufactured oxygen containers, 
and by the determination that additional airplanes are affected by 
the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing 
heat treatment of the actuation pin of the SLGOC, which could cause 
its jamming, with consequent failure of oxygen flow activation. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in lack of 
supplemental oxygen supply in case of decompression in the cabin/
lavatory, possibly resulting in injury to lavatory occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0197, dated October 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0197).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0197

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0197 refers to ``22 May 2023 [the 
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0094]'', this AD requires using 
``February 7, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2023-25-09)''.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0197 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0197.

[[Page 44321]]

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0197 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) 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 (k) 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraphs (i) and (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in 
EASA AD 2024-0197 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nicole S. Tsang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3959; email: [email protected].

(l) 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 2024-0197, 
dated October 18, 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 August 28, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17786 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
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