Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 12993-12995 [2024-03464]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Proposed Rules other times as the Secretary may request, and to submit a report of each audit directly to the Secretary; (n) To periodically prepare and make public and to make available to manufacturers for the U.S. market reports of its activities and, at least once each fiscal period, to make public an accounting of funds received and expended; (o) To maintain minutes, books, and records and prepare and submit to the Secretary such reports from time to time as may be required for appropriate accounting with respect to the receipt and disbursement of funds entrusted to it, and to submit to the Secretary such information pertaining to this part or subpart as he or she may request; (p) To act as an intermediary between the Secretary and any manufacturer for the U.S. market; (q) To receive, investigate and report to the Secretary complaints of violations of the Order; and (r) To develop and recommend such rules and regulations to the Secretary for approval as may be necessary for the development and execution of plans or activities to effectuate the purposes of the Act. ■ 12. Revise redesignated § 1217.48 to read as follows: § 1217.48 Prohibited activities. The Board may not engage in, and shall prohibit the employees and agents of the Board from engaging in: (a) Any action that would be a conflict of interest; (b) Using funds collected by the Board under the Order to undertake any action for the purpose of influencing legislation or governmental action or policy, by local, state, national, and foreign governments or subdivision thereof, other than recommending to the Secretary amendments to the Order; and (c) No program, plan or project including advertising shall be false or misleading or disparaging to another agricultural commodity. Softwood lumber of all geographic origins shall be treated equally. ■ 13. In § 1217.52, revise paragraph (h) to read as follows: § 1217.52 Assessments. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS * * * * * (h) The HTSUS categories and assessment rates on imported softwood lumber are listed in the following table. The assessment rates are computed using the following conversion factors: One cubic meter (m3) equals 0.423776001 thousand board feet, and one square meter (m2) equals 0.010763104 thousand board feet. Accordingly, the assessment rate per VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Feb 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 cubic meter and square meter is as follows. TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (h) Softwood lumber (by HTSUS No.) 4407.11.00 4407.12.00 4407.13.00 4407.14.00 4407.19.00 4409.10.05 4409.10.10 4409.10.20 4409.10.90 4418.99.10 ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ * * * Assessment $/cubic meter Assessment $/square meter 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.1737 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 0.004412 * * Erin Morris, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2024–03372 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2024–0233; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–01003–T] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330–800 and A330–900 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on other airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time general visual inspection (GVI) of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, depending on findings, removal of the protective cap, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. SUMMARY: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 8, 2024. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 12993 You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–0233; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For EASA material that is proposed for IBR 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA– 2024–0233. • 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206–231–3229; email Vladimir.Ulyanov@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2024–0233; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–01003–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. E:\FR\FM\21FEP1.SGM 21FEP1 12994 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Proposed Rules 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 NPRM. 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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206–231–3229; email Vladimir.Ulyanov@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 EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023–0169, dated September 4, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0169) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330–800 and A330–900 series airplanes. The MCAI states that a protective cap was found still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe. Further investigations indicated that this failure to remove those caps may have occurred on other airplanes. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to accumulation of water and ice in the pipe and, in case of an engine fire, prevent extinguishing that engine fire, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane. 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–2024–0233. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 EASA AD 2023–0169 specifies procedures for a GVI of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, if found, removal of the protective cap. 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 ADDRESSES. FAA’s Determination This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2023–0169 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text 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 incorporate EASA AD 2023–0169 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2023–0169 in its entirety 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 2023–0169 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 AD requirement is not limited to the section titled ‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2023–0169. Service information required by EASA AD 2023–0169 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2024–0233 after the FAA final rule is published. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 .......................................................................................... $0 $340 $2,720 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Feb 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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. E:\FR\FM\21FEP1.SGM 21FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Proposed Rules 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. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ■ Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2024–0233; Project Identifier MCAI–2023–01003–T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by April 8, 2024. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330–841 and A330–941 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023–0169, dated September 4, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0169). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire Protection. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found still in place on the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Feb 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on other airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address protective caps possibly remaining in place on fire extinguishing pipes installed on the affected airplanes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in accumulation of water and ice in the pipe and, in case of an engine fire, prevent extinguishing that engine fire, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane. (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, EASA AD 2023– 0169. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0169 (1) Where EASA AD 2023–0169 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 2023–0169. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023–0169 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) 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, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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, 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 (j)(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 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 12995 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 Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206– 231–3229; email Vladimir.Ulyanov@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023–0169, dated September 4, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2023–0169, 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 EASA AD 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 February 14, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024–03464 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 17 CFR PART 270 [Release No. IC–35129; File No. S7–2024– 01] RIN 3235–AN33 Qualifying Venture Capital Funds Inflation Adjustment Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: To implement the requirements of the Economic Growth, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21FEP1.SGM 21FEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12993-12995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03464]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0233; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01003-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-800 and A330-900 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found 
still in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by 
further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on other 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time general visual 
inspection (GVI) of the engine fire extinguishing pipe drain hole and, 
depending on findings, removal of the protective cap, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for 
incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 8, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0233; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0233.
     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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3229; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-0233; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-01003-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.

[[Page 12994]]

    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 NPRM.

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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0169, dated September 4, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0169) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-800 and A330-900 
series airplanes. The MCAI states that a protective cap was found still 
in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe. Further 
investigations indicated that this failure to remove those caps may 
have occurred on other airplanes. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to accumulation of water and ice in the pipe and, 
in case of an engine fire, prevent extinguishing that engine fire, 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.
    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-2024-0233.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0169 specifies procedures for a GVI of the engine fire 
extinguishing pipe drain hole and, if found, removal of the protective 
cap. 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 ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2023-0169 described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text 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 incorporate EASA AD 2023-0169 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2023-0169 in its entirety 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 2023-0169 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 AD requirement is not limited to the section 
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2023-
0169. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0169 for compliance 
will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0233 
after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................              $0             $340           $2,720
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 12995]]

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2024-0233; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-
01003-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 8, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and A330-941 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0169, dated September 4, 
2023 (EASA AD 2023-0169).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a protective cap found still 
in place on the drain hole of a fire extinguishing pipe, and by 
further investigations indicating these caps may have remained on 
other airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address protective 
caps possibly remaining in place on fire extinguishing pipes 
installed on the affected airplanes. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in accumulation of water and ice in the pipe 
and, in case of an engine fire, prevent extinguishing that engine 
fire, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

(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, EASA AD 2023-0169.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0169

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0169 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0169.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0169 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) 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, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed 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, 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 (j)(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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0169, 
dated September 4, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0169, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD 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 [email protected].

    Issued on February 14, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03464 Filed 2-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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