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AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that engine nacelle anti-icing (NAI) forward bulkheads have been found with elongated locating holes. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the engine NAI forward bulkhead locating holes for elongation and loose fasteners and applicable corrective actions, and prohibits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). 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 publications 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-2024-1881; 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-2024-1881.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7317; email dat.v.le@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 all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2024 (89 FR 55120). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0060R1, dated April 16, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0060R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that certain engine NAI forward bulkheads may have elongated locating holes. These holes are used in the manufacturing process and closed with fasteners before delivery. It has been determined that these fasteners, if loose, may vibrate and cause further elongation of the locating holes, which, eventually, can reduce the NAI performance. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the undetected loss of NAI protection on both engines, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed inspection of the engine NAI forward bulkhead locating holes for elongation and loose fasteners and applicable corrective actions, and prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0060R1. 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-2024-1881.
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 2024-0060R1 specifies procedures for a one-time detailed inspection of the engine NAI forward bulkhead location holes for discrepancies, including elongation and loose fasteners. Depending on the inspection results, EASA AD 2024-0060R1 also specifies corrective action, including obtaining and following instructions if any discrepancy is identified. EASA AD 2024-0060R1 also requires reporting of the inspection results to Collins Aerospace. EASA AD 2024-0060R1 also prohibits the installation of an affected part on any airplane unless it is a serviceable part and is inspected before installation. 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 31 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 work-hour × $85 per hour = $638 | $10 | $648 | $20,088 |