Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, - 302, -303, -323, -343, and -941 airplanes; and Model A340-313, -541, and -642 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the results of laboratory tests on non-rechargeable lithium batteries installed in emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), which highlighted a lack of protection against currents of 28 volts DC or 115 volts AC that could lead to thermal runaway and a battery fire. This AD requires modifying a certain ELT by installing a diode between the ELT and the terminal block, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.