Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58812-58814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19084]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-7201; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01290-T; 
Amendment 39-23464; AD 2026-18-09]
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 A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked and broken 
restraint brackets of the anti-ice piccolo tube found during 
maintenance on certain nacelle inlet cowls. This AD requires, for 
certain affected parts, modification of the affected part, and for 
certain other affected parts, repetitive special detailed inspections 
(SDIs) for discrepancies and, depending on findings, modification of 
the affected part. This AD also prohibits a certain repair on any 
affected part and limits the installation of affected parts under 
certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-7201; 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-2026-7201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Decaro, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-
627-5374; 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 
A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 29, 2026 (91 FR 
39040). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0164, dated July 29, 2025 
(EASA AD 2025-0164) (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 cracked and broken restraint brackets of the 
anti-ice piccolo tube were reportedly found during maintenance on 
certain nacelle inlet cowls. The restraint brackets act as a 
precautionary measure to prevent disengagement of the thermal anti-ice 
spray ring from the thermal anti-ice feed pipe in specific conditions. 
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a thermal 
anti-ice feed pipe disengagement and decrease the effectiveness of the 
thermal anti-ice system, allowing ice build-up on the inlet lip skin, 
which could result in damage to the engine and reduced control of the 
airplane.

[[Page 58813]]

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require, for certain affected 
parts, modification of the affected part, and for certain other 
affected parts, repetitive SDIs for discrepancies and, depending on 
findings, modification of the affected part. The NPRM also proposed to 
prohibit a certain repair on any affected part and limit the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified 
in EASA AD 2025-0164. 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-2026-7201.

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 2025-0164 specifies procedures for modifying certain 
affected nacelle inlet cowls, and, for certain other affected parts, 
repetitive SDIs (i.e., borescope inspections) of the nacelle inlet cowl 
(also known as the air inlet cowl) for discrepancies and, depending on 
findings, modification of the affected part, which terminates the 
repetitive inspections. Discrepancies include the thermal anti-ice feed 
pipe that is fully or partially disengaged from the thermal anti-ice 
spray ring; and the thermal anti-ice feed pipe that is correctly 
engaged with the thermal anti-ice spray ring with one or both restraint 
brackets cracked, severed, or missing. EASA AD 2025-0164 also specifies 
that replacement of the affected part with a serviceable part as a 
method of compliance for the modification for that affected part. EASA 
AD 2025-0164 also prohibits repair FRSZ026 on any affected part and 
limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions.
    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 70 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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Up to 5 work-hours x $85 per hour =    Up to $11,673..........  Up to $12,098..........  Up to $846,860.
 $425.
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                  Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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                                                             Cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
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4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340......            * $0            $340
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts
  cost estimate for the optional replacement.

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 5 work-hours x $85 per      Up to $11,673.....  Up to $12,098.
 hour = $425.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 58814]]

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:

2026-18-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23464; Docket No. FAA-2026-7201; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01290-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 22, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, 
A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Power Plant.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked and broken restraint 
brackets of the anti-ice piccolo tube found during maintenance on 
affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition which, if not addressed, could result in a thermal anti-
ice feed pipe disengagement and decrease the effectiveness of the 
thermal anti-ice system, allowing ice build-up on the inlet lip 
skin, which could result in damage to the engine and reduced control 
of the airplane.

(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 
2025-0164, dated July 29, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0164).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0164

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0164 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0164 defines a serviceable part as a 
``Nacelle Inlet Cowl, eligible for installation in accordance with 
Airbus instructions, which is not an affected part'', for this AD 
replace that text with ``Nacelle Inlet Cowl, eligible for 
installation, which is not an affected part''.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0164 specifies ``any 
discrepancy, as identified in the SB, is found on an affected 
part'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``any discrepancy 
is found on an affected part''.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0164.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0164 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 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 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Anthony Decaro, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 562-627-5374; 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 2025-0164, 
dated July 29, 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].

    Issued on September 3, 2026.
Brian Knaup,
Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19084 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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