2024-26-06: Flight Controls

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) 2022-16-06, Amendment 39-22135 (87 FR 51588, August 23, 2022); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2024-26-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22921; Docket No. FAA-2024-1294; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00042-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 11, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-16-06, Amendment 39-22135 (87 FR 51588, August 23, 2022) (AD 2022-16-06). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0016, dated January 11, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0016). (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, and -941 airplanes. (2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by tests that demonstrated that when the upper secondary load path (SLP) of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) is engaged, the THSA might not stall, with consequently no indication of SLP engagement, and by the recent determination that the required actions of AD 2022-16-06 cannot be accomplished on certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent damage on the upper THSA SLP attachment with consequent mechanical disconnection of the THSA, that could result in loss of control 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, EASA AD 2024-0016. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0016 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0016 refers to "22 March 2022 [the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0039]," this AD requires using September 27, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-16-06). (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0016 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0016 applies to airplanes in "Group 1," this AD requires replacing that text with "Group 1 airplanes, except as specified in paragraph (3)". (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0016. (i) 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, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2022-16-06 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0016 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (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 (i)(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. (j) 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: Vladimir.Ulyanov@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0016, dated January 11, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, 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 material 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on January 28, 2025. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02134 Filed 2-3-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P