Airworthiness directive · Flight controls · Airbus A300 B2-1A, A300 B2-1C, A300 B2K-3C and 21 more

Effective
June 23, 2023
Published
June 26, 2023 · 88 FR 41312–41313
Issued
June 20, 2023
Supersedes
AD2016-15-01
Models
A300 B2-1A, A300 B2-1C, A300 B2K-3C, A300 B2-203, A300 B4-2C, A300 B4-103 and 18 more
Data sheet
TCDSA35EU
Registered aircraft
124 matched by model
Product
Aircraft · Large airplane
ATA chapter
27 · Flight controls
Amendment
39-22476
Docket
FAA-2023-0438
Project
2015-NM-065-AD
Issued as
Final rule; removal

Unofficial copy from the Federal Register XML, document 2023-13417. Only the govinfo PDF is the legal edition. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

On this page

Summary

The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-15-01, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2016-15-01 required an inspection to determine trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) part numbers, serial numbers, and flight cycles on certain THSAs; and repetitive replacement of certain THSAs. The FAA issued AD 2016-15-01 to prevent loss of THSA no-back brake (NBB) efficiency. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-15-01, the FAA has issued AD 2022-25-12 to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes and AD 2023-11-02 to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes. The FAA has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent error. Accordingly, AD 2016-15-01 is removed.

The airworthiness directive

AD 2016-15-01R1 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22476; Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; Project Identifier 2015-NM-065-AD.

(a) Effective Date

PDF page 2

This AD is effective June 23, 2023.

(b) Affected AD

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This AD replaces AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, July 22, 2016).

(c) Applicability

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This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.

(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.

(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.

(4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.

(5) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.

(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes.

(d) Subject

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Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls.

(e) Terminating Action

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This AD terminates all requirements of AD 2016-15-01.

(f) Related Information

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For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; email: dan.rodina@faa.gov.

(g) Material Incorporated by Reference

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None.

Rule preamble

The FAA’s background, reasoning and cost estimate, published with the AD.

DatesPage 1

This AD becomes effective June 23, 2023.

AddressesPage 1

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; 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, 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.

For further information contactPage 1

Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; email: dan.rodina@faa.gov.

BackgroundPage 1

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by removing AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, July 22, 2016) (AD 2016-15-01). AD 2016-15-01 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 (88 FR 18263). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA issuing AD 2022-25-12, Amendment 39-22268 (87 FR 78518, December 22, 2022) to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes, and by the FAA issuing AD 2023-11-02, Amendment 39-22447 (88 FR 36930, June 6, 2023) to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes. The FAA has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent error. The NPRM proposed to remove AD 2016-15-01. The FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 2016-15-01.

CommentsPage 2

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

ConclusionPage 2

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 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.

This AD removes all actions of AD 2016-15-01. Therefore, the requirements of AD 2016-15-01 are terminated.

Authority for This RulemakingPage 2

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.

Regulatory findingsPage 2

The FAA determined that 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.

The amendmentPage 2

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

Adoption of the amendmentPage 2

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, July 22, 2016), and

b. Adding the following new AD:

Affected TCDS · 1

The type certificate data sheets for the models this AD names, matched by model and maker.

Registered aircraft · 124

Registered aircraft whose airframe or engine model this AD names. Matched by model only, so check each against the AD’s applicability.

By aircraft maker
  • Airbus Industrie76 aircraft
  • Airbus48 aircraft
By year built
19832007
Registered aircraft by year built: 122 aircraft
19832
19841
19851
19871
19881
19893
19905
19913
19927
19935
19945
19958
19965
19975
19986
19996
20007
200111
20026
20038
20047
20057
20066
20076

2 with no year recorded

By model

Aircraft

See all 124 aircraft