2024-06-11: 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-06-11 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22716; Docket No. FAA-2024-0764; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01017-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 2, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2018-18-19, Amendment 39-19398 (83 FR 47056, September 18, 2018) (AD 2018-18-19) and AD 2023-04-09, Amendment 39-22356 (88 FR 20746, April 7, 2023) (AD 2023-04-09). (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any category. (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 fatigue damage in principal structural elements. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 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 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 2023-0173, dated September 20, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0173). Where EASA AD 2023-0173 affects the same airworthiness limitations as those in EASA AD 2017-0204 or EASA AD 2022-0172, the airworthiness limitations referenced in EASA AD 2023-0173 prevail. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0173 (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0173. (2) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0173 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. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0173 is at the applicable "limitations" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0173, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0173. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) 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 2023-0173. (j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2018-18-19 and AD 2023-04-09 Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the corresponding requirements of AD 2018-18-19 and AD 2023-04-09 for the tasks identified in the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0173 only. (k) 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov. (m) 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 May 2, 2024. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0173, dated September 20, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (4) For EASA AD 2023-0173, 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. (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 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 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 March 20, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-08109 Filed 4-16-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P