2024-11-01: Electrical Power

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-21-02, Amendment 39-21762 (86 FR 62898, November 15, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2024-11-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22762; Docket No. FAA-2024-0221; Project Identifier AD-2023-01233-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 3, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-21-02, Amendment 39-21762 (86 FR 62898, November 15, 2021) (AD 2021-21-02). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (14) of this AD, certificated in any category, equipped with any parts manufacturer approval (PMA) part approved for the type design nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries having a part number identified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD. ER29MY24.015 (1) Model A300 B4-2C, B4-102, B4-103, B4-120, B4-203, and B4-220 airplanes. (2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes. (3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes. (4) Model A300 C4-203, C4-605R variant F, and C4-620 airplanes. (5) Model A300 F4-203, F4-605R, F4-608ST, and F4-622R airplanes. (6) Model A310-203, -203C, -204, -221, -222, -304, -308, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes. (7) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes. (8) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes. (9) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes. (10) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. (11) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -743L, -841, and -941 airplanes. (12) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, -542, -642, and -643 airplanes. (13) Model A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes. (14) Model A380-841, -842, and -861 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that repetitive disconnection and reconnection of certain Ni-Cd batteries during airplane parking or storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of those batteries. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to reduced battery endurance performance and possibly result in failure to supply the minimum essential electrical power during abnormal or emergency conditions. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions (1) For the purposes of this AD, an "affected PMA Ni-Cd battery" is defined as any PMA Ni-Cd battery approved for a Ni-Cd battery identified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD, all serial numbers, except those which are a serviceable PMA Ni-Cd battery as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. (2) For the purposes of this AD, a "serviceable PMA Ni-Cd battery" is defined as a PMA Ni-Cd battery approved for a Ni-Cd battery identified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD, all serial numbers, which was fully (re)charged at constant current and, after (re)charging, was not stored on wing during a period exceeding the applicable "Time Limit" specified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD. Periodical, regular, and overhaul checks of a PMA Ni-Cd battery that include the battery (re)charge at constant current are acceptable methods to demonstrate that the battery was (re)charged. (3) For the purposes of this AD, a "serviceable non-PMA Ni-Cd battery" is defined as a type design Ni-Cd battery having a part number identified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD, all serial numbers, which was fully (re)charged at constant current and, after (re)charging, was not stored on wing during a period exceeding the applicable "Time Limit" specified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD. Periodical, regular, and overhaul checks of a non-PMA Ni-Cd battery that include the battery (re)charge at constant current are acceptable methods to demonstrate that the battery was (re)charged. (h) Replacement Before release to service of an airplane after a storage or parking period, as applicable, replace each affected PMA Ni-Cd battery with a serviceable PMA Ni-Cd battery or a serviceable non-PMA Ni-Cd battery. Note 1 to paragraph (h): Airplanes on which a battery is replaced with a serviceable non-PMA Ni-Cd battery are affected by AD 2024-08-08, Amendment 39-22741 (89 FR 35695, May 2, 2024), which provides requirements for non-PMA Ni-Cd batteries. (i) Parts Installation Limitation As of the effective date of this AD, release to service of an airplane is allowed, provided all PMA Ni-Cd batteries approved for a Ni-Cd battery identified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD that are installed on that airplane are fully (re)charged at constant current and, after (re)charging, were not stored on wing during a period exceeding the applicable "Time Limit" specified in Figure 1 to the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this AD. (j) 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 certification office, 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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3225; email [email protected] . (l) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on May 21, 2024. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-11587 Filed 5-28-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P