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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 2 (Monday, January 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 197-199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24241]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1721; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00268-T;
Amendment 39-23217; AD 2025-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800,
A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reported occurrences of forward passenger/crew
doors jamming during slide deployment. This AD requires repetitive
detailed inspections and, depending on findings, corrective action(s).
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 9, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 9,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1721; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f2e2b1c2f0a0e1c0e410a1a1d001f0e410a1a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8b9bc8bb89d998b99d69d8d8a978899d69d8d">[email protected]</span></a>.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1721.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emma Copeland, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 224-
323-1241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d5fdfdf1beddbed3ffe0f5fcf1fef4d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="25604848440b680b664a554049444b41654344440b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model
A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200,
A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2025 (90 FR 35483). The
NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0053, dated March 5, 2025, issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union (EASA AD 2025-0053) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI
states that there were reported occurrences of forward passenger/crew
doors jamming during slide deployment. Subsequent investigations
determined that those events were caused by door mis-rigging. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to unsuccessful
slide deployment which, in case of an emergency, could prevent timely
evacuation from the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive detailed
inspections and, depending on findings, corrective action(s), as
specified in EASA AD 2025-0053. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1721.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International, who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0053, which specifies procedures for
repetitive detailed inspections to check the clearances between the
door and door frame on each door stop fitting, check the rigging values
of the X-guide roller, check the clearance values between the rollers
and the guide fittings, and ensure all door stop screw tab washers are
properly bent on forward passenger/crew doors. On-condition actions
include performing adjustment of the door(s), performing another
detailed inspection of the clearance, obtaining and following further
instructions if discrepancies remain, and reporting any measured value
that is not within limits or any washer that is not bent properly. This
material is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 159 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 198]]
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510.................. $0 $510 $81,090
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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13 work-hours x $85 per hour = 1,105.. $0 $1,105
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-25-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23217; Docket No. FAA-2025-1721;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00268-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 9, 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 A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -223F, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841 and -941
airplanes.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reported occurrences of forward
passenger/crew doors jamming during slide deployment; subsequent
investigations determined that those events were caused by improper
door rigging. The FAA is issuing this AD to address improper door
rigging. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
unsuccessful slide deployment preventing timely evacuation from 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
2025-0053, dated March 5, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0053).
[[Page 199]]
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0053
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0053 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraphs (2), (3), and (5) of EASA AD 2025-0053
specify ``any discrepancy'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``any measured value that is not within limits or lock washer
that does not bend correctly''.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0053.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d3c30323e3d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aaebe7e5e9eacccbcb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 (i)(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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Emma Copeland,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 224-323-1241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eca981818dc2a1c2af839c89808d8288ac8a8d8dc28b839a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="febb93939fd0b3d0bd918e9b929f909abe989f9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 2025-0053,
dated March 5, 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e4f4a7d4e6b6f7d6f206b7b7c617e6f206b7b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ddcd9eeddf8fceefcb3f8e8eff2edfcb3f8e8">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f495d0146415c5f4a4c5b4640416f414e5d4e01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c5a4e1255524f4c595f485553527c525d4e5d125b534a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 9, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-24241 Filed 1-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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Document
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A34...
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91 FR 197
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“Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes,” thefederalregister.org (January 5, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2025-24241/airworthiness-directives-airbus-sas-airplanes.