2023-04-05: 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) 2022-09-11, Amendment 39-22031 (87 FR 29819, May 17, 2022); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-04-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22352; Docket No. FAA-2022-1578; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00858-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 10, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-09-11, Amendment 39-22031 (87 FR 29819, May 17, 2022) (AD 2022-09-11). (c) Applicability This AD applies to 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 May 2, 2022. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2022-09-11, with no changes. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before June 30, 2021: 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 2021-0207, dated September 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0207). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0207, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2022-09-11, with no changes. (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0207 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using June 21, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-09-11). (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0207 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0207 specifies revising "the approved AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after June 21, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-09-11). (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 2021-0207 is at the "applicable thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0207, or within 90 days after June 21, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-09-11), whichever occurs later. (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2021-0207 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0207 does not apply to this AD. (i) Retained Provisions for Alternative Actions or Intervals, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2022-09-11, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2021-0207. (j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0125, dated June 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0125). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0125 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0125 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0125 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0125 specifies revising "the approved AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0125 is at the applicable "thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0125, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0125 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0125 does not apply to this AD. (l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2022-0125. (m) Additional FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) 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, 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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-228-7317; email [email protected]. (o) 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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on April 10, 2023. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0125, dated June 28, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 21, 2022 (87 FR 29819, May 17, 2022). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0207, dated September 15, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA AD 2022-0125 and AD 2021-0207, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (6) 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. (7) 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on February 15, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-04464 Filed 3-3-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P