2023-25-16: 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-25-16 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22643; Docket No. FAA-2023-1498; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00459-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 27, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any category, specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, and with serial numbers identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3141, dated December 16, 2022. (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes. (2) Model A330-223F and -243F 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. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that the differential pressure test across Rib 3, part of the production ground test procedure used to confirm inner fuel tank integrity, had not been properly accomplished on airplanes delivered before July 2021. The FAA is issuing this AD to address lack of inner fuel tank integrity that, in the case of an uncontained engine rotor failure and subsequent fuel tank puncture, could lead to insufficient fuel available to ensure continued safe flight and landing. (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 2023-0052, dated March 14, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0052). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0052 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0052 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 2023-0052. (3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies repeating a step and recording certain values, replace the text "Do step 1 b again and record the capacitance values and then every 10 minutes for 60 min," with "Repeat step 1 b and record the capacitance values every 10 minutes for 60 minutes." (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies "Set the R(L) INNER TK (FIN 6QU1)(FIN 6QU2) switch to OPEN," this AD requires replacing that text with "Set the L(R) INNER TK (FIN 6QU1)(FIN 6QU2) switch to OPEN." (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 specifies measuring certain capacitance values, this AD does not require measuring the capacitance values for inner tank probe 6 FIN 24QT1 (FIN 24QT2). (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0052 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: [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. (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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3141, dated December 16, 2022. (ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0052, dated March 14, 2023. (3) For EASA AD 2023-0052, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office-EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; website airbus.com. (5) 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. (6) You may view this service information 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 [email protected]. Issued on December 18, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-01169 Filed 1-22-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P