2023-25-11: Fuselage

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) 2021-02-18, Amendment 39-21401 (86 FR 10740, February 23, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2023-25-11 Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.): Amendment 39-22638; Docket No. FAA-2023-1999; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00697-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 7, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-02-18, Amendment 39-21401 (86 FR 10740, February 23, 2021) (AD 2021-02-18). (c) Applicability This AD applies all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes and Model C-295 airplanes, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by cracks found on certain left- and right-hand stringers in the area of frame (FR) 43 of the fuselage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such cracking in the stringers, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0103, dated May 23, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0103). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0103 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0103 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0103. (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies "The SB: Airbus DS Service Bulletin (SB) SB235-53-0070C (for CN-235, CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 aeroplanes) and SB295-53-0025C (for C-295 aeroplanes), as applicable," for this AD replace those words with "The SB: Airbus DS Service Bulletin (SB) SB235-53-0070C (for CN-235, CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 aeroplanes), SB235-53-0070M (for CN-235-100 aeroplanes), and SB295-53-0025C (for C-295 aeroplanes), as applicable." (4) Where EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies "Groups: Group 1 aeroplanes are CN-235, CN-235-200 aeroplanes. Group 2 aeroplanes are CN-235-300 and C-295 aeroplanes," for this AD replace those words with "Groups: Group 1 aeroplanes are CN-235, CN-235-100, and CN-235-200 aeroplanes. Group 2 aeroplanes are CN-235-300 and C-295 aeroplanes." (5) Where the column header of Table 1 of EASA AD 2023-0103 is titled "Accumulated Flight Hours (FH) and Flight Cycles (FC)", for this AD replace those words with "Accumulated Flight Hours (FH) and Flight Cycles (FC), as of March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-18)." (6) Where EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies a compliance time of "During the next A-check, or within 300 FH after 30 July 2020 [the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0159], whichever occurs later," for this AD replace those words with "Within 300 FH after March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-18)." (7) Where EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies a compliance time of "Within 50 FH or 50 FC, whichever occurs first after 30 July 2020 [the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0159]," for this AD replace those words with "Within 50 FH or 50 FC, whichever occurs first after March 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-02-18)." (8) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies to "contact Airbus DS for approved instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly" if discrepancies are detected, for this AD if any cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Defense and Space S.A.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0103 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Additional 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (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 Defense and Space S.A.'s EASA 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 referenced in EASA AD 2023-0103 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 2023-0103, dated May 23, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023-0103, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this service information 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 at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on December 14, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-28846 Filed 1-2-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P