SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2026-1338; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00316-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this SNPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this SNPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this SNPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Frank Carreras, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3539; email: Frank.Carreras@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2014-16-22, Amendment 39-17946 (79 FR 49442, August 21, 2014) (AD 2014-16-22) and AD 2017-25-13, Amendment 39-19127 (82 FR 59960, December 18, 2017) (AD 2017-25-13) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2019-0048, dated March 11, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0048), which applies to Airbus SAS Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. EASA AD 2019-0048 terminates the requirements of EASA AD 2013-0201, dated September 4, 2013 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2014-16-22) and EASA AD 2017-0044, dated March 9, 2017 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2017-25-13). EASA superseded EASA AD 2019-0048 with EASA AD 2021-0251R1, dated October 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2021-0251R1), which in turn was superseded by EASA AD 2024-0015, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0015). The FAA has added EASA AD 2024-0015 to the required airworthiness action list (RAAL) for the Model A340 airplanes. There currently are no Model A340 airplanes on the U.S. registry. However, if a U.S. operator imports a Model A340 airplane, they will then be required to show compliance with EASA AD 2024-0015 as specified in the RAAL. This SNPRM would therefore supersede AD 2014-16-22 and AD 2017-25-13.

The FAA issued AD 2024-25-11, Amendment 39-22913 (90 FR 8663, January 31, 2025) (AD 2024-25-11) for Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 2, 2023. AD 2024-25-11 was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0014). AD 2024-25-11 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 9, dated October 2, 2023. The FAA issued AD 2024-25-11 to address the failure of system components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the controllability of the airplane.

The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to supersede AD 2014-16-22, AD 2017-25-13, and AD 2024-25-11 that would have applied to Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 1, 2024. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2026 (91 FR 9195). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0057, dated March 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0057). EASA AD 2025-0057 states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed, as specified in Airbus A330 ALS Part 4, SEMR, Revision 10, dated October 1, 2024.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require certain actions in AD 2024-25-11 and to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

Since the FAA issued the NPRM, EASA superseded EASA AD 2025-0057 with EASA AD 2026-0059, dated March 19, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0059) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes. Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued after December 19, 2025, must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; this proposed AD therefore does ( printed page 64123) not include those airplanes in the applicability. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed, as specified in Airbus A330 ALS Part 4, SEMR, Revision 11, dated December 19, 2025.

The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-1338.

Comments

The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2026-0059 specifies procedures for new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane system equipment and safe life limits.

This AD would also require EASA AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of March 7, 2025 (90 FR 8663, January 31, 2025).

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.

FAA's Determination

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 is issuing this SNPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.

Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM

This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2024-25-11. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are specified in EASA AD 2026-0059 already described, as proposed for incorporation by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2026-0059 are identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.

This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions ( e.g., inspections). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (m)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to retain the Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of EASA AD 2024-0014 and incorporate EASA AD 2026-0059 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2024-0014 and EASA AD 2026-0059 through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0014 or EASA AD 2026-0059 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this proposed AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in EASA AD 2024-0014 or EASA AD 2026-0059. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0014 is available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2024-0770 and material required by EASA AD 2026-0059 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2026-1338 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.

For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).

The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a paragraph that specified that no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in the AMOCs paragraph under “Additional AD Provisions.” This new format includes a “New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals” paragraph that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 156 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained actions from AD 2024-25-11 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the average total cost per operator for the new proposed actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour). ( printed page 64124)

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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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) 2014-16-22, Amendment 39-17946 ( 79 FR 49442, August 21, 2014); AD 2017-25-13, Amendment 39-19127 (82 FR 59960, December 18, 2017); and AD 2024-25-11, Amendment 39-22913 (90 FR 8663, January 31, 2025); and

b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2026-1338; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00316-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by November 23, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces the ADs specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this AD.

(1) AD 2014-16-22, Amendment 39-17946 (79 FR 49442, August 21, 2014) (AD 2014-16-22).

(2) AD 2017-25-13, Amendment 39-19127 (82 FR 59960, December 18, 2017) (AD 2017-25-13).

(3) AD 2024-25-11, Amendment 39-22913 (90 FR 8663, January 31, 2025) (AD 2024-25-11).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before December 19, 2025.

(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 A330-841 airplanes.

(5) Model A330-941 airplanes.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the failure of system components. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce the controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With a New Terminating Action

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2024-25-11, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 2, 2023, 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 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0014). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0014, With No Changes

This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (k) of AD 2024-25-11, with no changes.

(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0014.

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014 specifies revising “the AMP,” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after March 7, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2024-25-11).

(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0014, or within 90 days after March 7, 2025 (the effective date of AD 2024-25-11), whichever occurs later.

(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0014.

(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0014.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a New Exception

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2024-25-11, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2024-0014.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2026-0059, dated March 19, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0059). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026-0059

(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2026-0059.

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2026-0059 specifies revising “the AMP,” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.

(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2026-0059 is at the applicable “limitations” as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD ( printed page 64125) 2026-0059, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2026-0059.

(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2026-0059.

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections and intervals) are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2026-0059.

(m) 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 (n) 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.

(n) 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.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.

(3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2026-0059, dated March 19, 2026.

(ii) [Reserved]

(4) The following material was approved for IBR on March 7, 2025 (90 FR 8663, January 31, 2025).

(i) EASA AD 2024-0014, dated January 10, 2024.

(ii) [Reserved]

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

91 FR 64121