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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 A330-800 and A330-900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on other airplanes. This AD requires a one-time general visual inspection (GVI) of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, depending on findings, removal of the protective cap, 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 25, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 25, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0233; 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 St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket atregulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0233.
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 A330-800 and A330-900 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 21, 2024 (89 FR 12993). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0169, dated September 4, 2023, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2023-0169) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a protective cap was found still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe. Further investigations indicated that this failure to remove those caps may have occurred on other airplanes. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to accumulation of water and ice in the pipe and, in case of an engine fire, prevent extinguishing that engine fire, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time GVI of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, depending on findings, removal of the protective cap, as specified in EASA AD 2023-0169. 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-2024-0233.
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 2023-0169 specifies procedures for a GVI of each engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, if found, removal of the protective cap. 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 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 | $0 | $340 | $2,720 |