2026-21-03: Fuel

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: 2026-21-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23492; Docket No. FAA-2026-8780; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00262-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 23, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category. (1) Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A330-841, and A330-941 airplanes. (2) Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of leaks on closed fuel low pressure shut-off valves (LPSOVs) due to the LPSOV failing to seal. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such leaks, which, depending on the amount of the leak, could sustain a fire. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to the inability to extinguish a fire and result in significant damage to airplane structure or systems. (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 2026-0060R1, dated June 9, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0060R1). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0060R1 (1) Where Table 1 of EASA AD 2026-0060R1 specifies a compliance time of between November 12, 2025, and March 3, 2029, this AD requires accomplishing the initial leak check within 35 months after the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2026-0060R1 refers to April 3, 2026 (the effective date of the original issue of EASA AD 2026-0060), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where EASA AD 2026-0060R1 defines a serviceable part as "Any fuel LPSOV eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus instructions", for this AD, replace that text with "Any fuel LPSOV eligible for installation". (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2026-0060R1 specifies "any discrepancy of an affected part, as specified in the SB, is detected", for this AD, replace that text with "any discrepancy of an affected part is detected". (5) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2026-0060R1. (i) No Reporting and No Return of Parts Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2026-0060R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer and to send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements. (j) 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 (k) of this AD and email 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, 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. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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 Anthony D. Decaro, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5374; email: [email protected]. (l) 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 2026-0060R1, dated June 9, 2026. (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 [email protected]. 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 98198. 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 October 7, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-21325 Filed 10-16-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P