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AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-13 which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-07-13 required repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment studs. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional airplanes are affected, and that all affected parts must be replaced with serviceable parts. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-07-13, adds airplanes to the applicability, and requires the replacement of all affected parts; as specified in 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 29, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 29, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1892; 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 atregulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1892.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email dat.v.le@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-07-13, Amendment 39-22415 (88 FR 31169, May 16, 2023) (AD 2023-07-13). AD 2023-07-13 applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-07-13 required repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex for damage ( i.e., stress marks, dents, bumps, corrosion, contamination, cracks, and scratches) and correct installation and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment stud. The FAA issued AD 2023-07-13 to address broken lower attachment studs having Part Number (P/N) XP14-070-007800 on the AFT galley complex.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2024 (89 FR 59709). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0078, dated March 20, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0078) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that additional airplanes are affected, and that all lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800, on the AFT galley complex must be replaced. Broken lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex, if not addressed, could lead to galley detachment, resulting in injury to airplane occupants and reduced capacity for emergency evacuation of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in AD 2023-07-13, add airplanes to the applicability, and require the replacement of all affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0078. 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-2024-1892.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.
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 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 2024-0078 specifies repetitive detailed inspections for damaged and incorrectly installed lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800 on the AFT galley complex and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment studs, and eventual replacement of all affected lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800. EASA AD 2024-0078 specifies that replacement of all lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800 on all affected AFT galleys constitutes a terminating action for the repetitive detailed inspections.
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 13 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retained actions from AD 2023-07-13 | 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 | $0 | $170 | $2,210 |
| New actions | 7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595 | 95 | 690 | 8,970 |