Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47948-47951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15455]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-3873; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00197-T; 
Amendment 39-23413; AD 2026-15-01]
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 A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes 
modified by a certain supplemental type certificate (STC). This AD was 
prompted by a finding that, for airplanes with a flightcrew oxygen 
system supplied by a single oxygen cylinder, the oxygen supply would 
not be sufficient under all circumstances for extended operations

[[Page 47949]]

(ETOPS) with a maximum diversion time of 180 minutes (ETOPS-180) with 
four flightcrew members. This AD requires revising the existing 
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFM-S) to limit ETOPS-180 operations 
to three flightcrew members, as applicable, and correct minimum oxygen 
dispatch pressure information. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-3873; 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-2026-3873.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Catanzaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-
7366; 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 A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes converted from passenger 
to freighter airplanes in accordance with EASA STC S10063798, which was 
issued to Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW). EASA STC S10063798 corresponds 
to FAA STC ST04038NY for those same modified airplane models operating 
in the U.S. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 
2026 (91 FR 23034). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0047, dated 
February 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0047) (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 it was identified that, for 
airplanes with a flightcrew oxygen system supplied by a single oxygen 
cylinder, the oxygen supply will not be sufficient under all 
circumstances for ETOPS-180 operation with four flightcrew members, 
when considering the modified procedures for airplanes that have EASA 
STC S10063798 (FAA STC ST04038NY) embodied. It was also identified that 
the minimum oxygen dispatch pressure information in the Flight Crew 
Operating Manual Supplement (FCOM-S) was not properly referenced by the 
AFM-S. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to insufficient 
oxygen supply in emergency situations during ETOPS-180 operation with 
four flightcrew members.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing AFM-
S to limit ETOPS-180 operations to three flightcrew members, as 
applicable, and correct minimum oxygen dispatch pressure information, 
as specified in EASA AD 2025-0047. 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-2026-3873.

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

    EASA AD 2025-0047 specifies procedures for implementing the AFM-S 
update to limit ETOPS-180 operations to three flightcrew members on 
airplanes with a flightcrew oxygen system supplied by a single 115 
ft\3\ oxygen cylinder and to update the minimum oxygen dispatch 
pressure information for all airplanes. 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 11 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................              $0              $85             $935
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 47950]]

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:

2026-15-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23413; Docket No. FAA-2026-3873; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00197-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, modified in 
accordance with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST04038NY.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a finding that, for airplanes with a 
flightcrew oxygen system supplied by a single oxygen cylinder, the 
oxygen supply would not be sufficient under all circumstances for 
extended operations (ETOPS) with a maximum diversion time of 180 
minutes (ETOPS-180) with four flightcrew members. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to limit ETOPS-180 operations to three flightcrew members on 
airplanes with a flightcrew oxygen system supplied by a single 
oxygen cylinder and to address incorrect minimum oxygen dispatch 
pressure information in the airplane flight manual supplement (AFM-
S). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
insufficient oxygen supply in emergency situations during ETOPS-180 
operation with four flightcrew members.

(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 
2025-0047, dated February 20, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0047).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0047

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0047 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0047 defines the AFM-S update as, 
``Aeroplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFM-S) Limitations update, as 
defined in Appendix 1 of this AD; and Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) 
A330 P2F Flight Crew Operating Manual Supplement (FCOM-S) ENV-
Temporary Revision No. 00-007 (Based on the Apr 01/23)'', this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement (AFM-S) Limitations update, as defined in Appendix 1 of 
this AD''.
    (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0047 says to ``implement 
the AFM-S update'', this AD requires replacing that text with 
``revise the ``Appendices and Supplements'' section of the existing 
AFM Supplement to incorporate the applicable limitations in the AFM-
S update''.
    (4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0047 specifies to 
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as those 
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations 
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, and 121.137).
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0047.

(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 manager of the 
Internal Validation 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, 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.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Catanzaro, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone: 516-228-7366; 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 2025-0047, 
dated February 20, 2025.
    (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].


[[Page 47951]]


    Issued on July 28, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15455 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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