2024-16-15: Landing Gear

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: 2024-16-15 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22821; Docket No. FAA-2024-0223; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00996-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 30, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category. (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes. (2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes. (3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, -343, -841, and -941 airplanes. (4) Model A340-312 and -313 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of quality non-conformity on main landing gear (MLG) axles where the high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating on the bearing journal runout areas had excessive coating compared to the drawing limits. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage, cracking, or spalling of the protective HVOF coating and exposure of the base material, which could allow corrosion to develop. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a MLG axle failure, possibly resulting in a MLG collapse, with consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants. (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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0167, dated August 30, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0167). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0167 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0167 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies to inspect within 24 months after the part entry into service, this AD requires inspecting within 30 months after the part entry into service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies "If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy, as defined in the SB, is detected, before next flight, contact SAFRAN Landing Systems for approved corrective action instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly. If no compliance time is identified in those instructions, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) before next flight." This AD, however, requires replacing that text with "If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy, as defined in the SB, is detected, the discrepancy must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or SAFRAN Landing Systems' DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature." (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0167. (5) This AD requires replacing the text of Note 2 of EASA AD 2023-0167 with "Removal of an MLG or an assembly, including the bogie beam assembly, having an affected part installed from an aeroplane and subsequent reinstallation of that MLG or assembly, including the bogie beam assembly, on the same aeroplane, accomplished during a single maintenance visit, is not considered as installation as specified in paragraph (7) of this EASA AD." (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies to "remove the cover protection of the affected axle" prior to inspecting the affected part, this AD does not include that requirement. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0167 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address 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; Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or SAFRAN Landing System'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 paragraphs (h)(6), (i), and (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; telephone 206-231-3229; email [email protected]. (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 2023-0167, dated August 30, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023-0167, 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) 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. (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 [email protected] . Issued on August 6, 2024. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-21797 Filed 9-24-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P