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AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -302, -343, and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain aft bulkhead cover panel may have been made with a non-conforming material. This AD requires replacing the aft bulkhead cover panel and prohibits the installation of affected parts, 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 November 4, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 4, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1288; 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:
- For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; emailADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
- You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available atregulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1288.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 206-231-3229; email: vladimir.ulyanov@faa.gov.
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 A330-243, -302, -343, and -941 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2024 (89 FR 37142). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0023, dated January 23, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0023) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a certain aft bulkhead cover panel may have been made with a non-conforming material. This panel is installed in galley G4 and does not meet the heat release requirements. This condition, if not corrected, represents a non-compliance with certification requirements that could result in injury to occupants and reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane in case of an emergency.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the aft bulkhead cover panel and prohibit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0023. 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-2024-1288.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is 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 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
EASA AD 2024-0023 specifies replacing the aft bulkhead cover panel installed in galley G4 and prohibits the installation of affected parts. 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 ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $298 | Up to $123,000 | Up to $123,298 | Up to $3,082,450. |