2022-01-07: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

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) 2021-11-23, Amendment 39-21585 (86 FR 40932, July 30, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2022-01-07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21895; Docket No. FAA-2021-0945; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01033-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 8, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-11-23, Amendment 39-21585 (86 FR 40932, July 30, 2021) (AD 2021-11-23). (c) Applicability This AD applies Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category; with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 30, 2021. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, 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) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision 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 2021-0209, dated September 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0209). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0209 (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0209 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0209 specifies revising "the AMP [aircraft maintenance program]" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the "limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and intervals" specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0209 within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0209 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0209, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2021-0209 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0209 does not apply to this AD. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs) are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2021-0209. (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 Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; 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 2021-0209, dated September 15, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0209, 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. (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. (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 December 23, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-01954 Filed 1-31-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P