2025-20-13: 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: 2025-20-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23166; Docket No. FAA-2025-3427; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01344-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 17, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (7), 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, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. (4) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes. (5) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes. (6) Model A340-541 airplanes. (7) Model A340-642 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing Gear. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the determination that, during flight with landing gear down, the brake system accumulators, and the shut-off valve (SOV) protecting the brake accumulators from internal hydraulic pressure loss, might be exposed to a temperature lower than the one for which the accumulator and SOV are qualified. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage to the brake accumulator bladder and loss of SOV function, possibly resulting in the loss of emergency braking and consequent damage to the airplane. This AD is also prompted by the determination that, if an airplane is dispatched under existing conditions associated with the "L/G Retraction Fault" alert, operations for Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G) will be prevented. This condition, if not corrected, would, after a total engine flame out, lead to total loss of electrical power and consequent 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0175, dated August 8, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0175). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0175 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0175 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to "implement the instructions of the MMEL update", this AD requires replacing that text with "revise the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating the information identified in "the MMEL update" ". (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to "inform all flight crews, and thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly," and where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to "inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly," this AD does not require those actions as those actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and (5)). (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0175 specifies to "implement the AFM update", this AD requires replacing that text with "revise the existing AFM by incorporating the applicable information identified in "the AFM update" ". (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0175. (i) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: 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, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: Frank.Carreras@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 2025-0175, dated August 8, 2025. (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. 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 September 29, 2025. Lona C. Saccomando, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-19417 Filed 9-30-25; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P