2021-16-18: Fuel

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-05, Amendment 39-21278 (85 FR 64963, October 14, 2020); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2021-16-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21681; Docket No. FAA-2021-0372; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01684-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 8, 2021. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-21-05, Amendment 39-21278 (85 FR 64963, October 14, 2020) (AD 2020-21-05). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, and identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this AD. (1) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes. (2) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes. (3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. (4) Model A330-841 airplanes. (5) Model A330-941 airplanes. (6) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes. (7) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes. (8) Model A340-541 airplanes. (9) Model A340-642 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by reports of a fuel pump showing cavitation erosion that exposed the fuel pump power supply wires, and by a determination that certain compliance times need to be revised and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fuel pump erosion caused by cavitation. If this condition is not addressed, a pump running dry could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except 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 2020-0283, dated December 17, 2020; corrected December 24, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0283). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0283 (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0283 does not apply to this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to the master minimum equipment list (MMEL), this AD refers to the operator's existing minimum equipment list (MEL). (4) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to "13 December 2019 [the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0291 at original issue]," this AD requires using "November 18, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-21-05)." (5) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to "17 November 2017 [the effective date of EASA AD 2017-0224]," this AD requires using "December 29, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-25-16, Amendment 39-19130 (82 FR 58718, December 14, 2017) (AD 2017-25-16))." (6) Where paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) of EASA AD 2020-0283 specify to "inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly," this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0283 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (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 sending information 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. (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. (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. (k) Related Information For 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]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0283, dated December 17, 2020; corrected December 24, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2020-0283, contact the 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. (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-2021-0372. (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and 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. Issued on July 30, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-23870 Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P