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2021-12-18: Fuel system

FAA order 2021-12-18 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 4, 2021. The FAA's subject line: Fuel system. It names Airbus A330, Airbus A340: about 163 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Airbus SAS
Models
A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-223F, A330-243, A330-243F, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313
On this site
Airbus A330 153 registered
Airbus A340 10 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
August 4, 2021
Published
June 30, 2021 (signed June 6, 2021)
Docket
FAA-2021-0184
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the auxiliary power unit (APU) aft fuel pump printed circuit board (PCB) varnish had deteriorated; the varnish is one of the layers of protection against development of an ignition source. This AD requires replacing each affected APU aft fuel pump, 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.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (6,424 characters)
Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-12-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21605; Docket No. FAA-2021-0184; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01599-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 4, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD. \n\t(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes. \n\t(2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes. \n\t(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and-343 airplanes. \n\t(4) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes. \n\t(5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel system. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that the auxiliary power unit (APU) aft fuel pump printed circuit board (PCB) varnish had deteriorated; the varnish is one of the layers of protection against development of an ignition source. The FAA is issuing this AD to address PCB varnish deterioration. This \n\n((Page 34625)) \n\ncondition, if not addressed, could, in case of a spark or flame in the area of the pump PCB, result in a fire or explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n\n\t(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0265, dated December 2, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0265). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0265 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0265 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0265 does not apply to this AD. \n\n\n\t(i) No Reporting Requirement \n\n\n\tAlthough the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0265 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\n\n\t(j) Other FAA AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 sendinginformation directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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. \n\t(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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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. \n\t(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any service information 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. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email [email protected]. \n\n(l) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0265, dated December 2, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0265, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(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. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0184. \n\t(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archivesand Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on June 6, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-13781 Filed 6-29-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2017-07-19NM-17-20 · Equipment/Furnishings
2009-06-01NM-09-33 · Flight Control Primary Computer (FCPC)
2008-12-11NM-09-03 · Engine Fuel and Control - Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations
2008-09-03NM-08-43 · Cabin Equipment/Furnishings - Seats
2008-07-02NM-08-31 · Equipment/Furnishings: Non-Textile Floors

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2021-12-18.json · aircraft systems.