[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15335-15337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05563]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0208; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by a determination that certain maintenance activities,
such as repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, might cause the
weight of an elevator to exceed the certified limits. This proposed AD
would require checking the weight of certain elevators, and corrective
action if necessary; and re-identifying the elevators. We are proposing
this AD to detect and correct elevators that exceed the certified
weight limits, which could result in reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 25, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405;
fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0208;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-204-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0221, dated October 23, 2012 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
It has been identified that maintenance activities, such as
repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, may cause the weight of
an elevator to exceed the certified limits.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
reduced control of the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a
onetime weight check of both left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH)
elevators, accomplishment of corrective actions, as applicable,
depending on findings, and re-identification of the elevators.
The monitoring of elevator weight evolution after having
complied with this [EASA] AD is ensured by Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 ALS Part 2 CDCCL (Critical Design Configuration Control
Limitations), compliance with which is currently required by EASA AD
2010-0071R1 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2011-14-06, Amendment 39-
16741 (76 FR 42024, July 18, 2011)].
Corrective action includes removing the paint from the elevator surface
and repainting, or replacing the elevator with a serviceable elevator
if the weight estimate is over the certified weight limit; and
repairing the elevator. You may obtain further information by examining
the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011; and Service Bulletin A320-
55-1042, Revision 01, dated June 29, 2012. The actions described in
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
[[Page 15336]]
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices
1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, and the MCAI specify to contact the
manufacturer for instructions to repair certain conditions, this
proposed AD would require repairing those conditions using a method
approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA (or its delegated
agent).
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 755 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 45 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $2,887,875, or $3,825 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.
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.
We are 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
We 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0208; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
204-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 25, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes listed in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category, all
serial numbers.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain maintenance
activities, such as repairs or the accumulation of paint layers,
might cause the weight of an elevator to exceed the certified
limits. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct elevators that
exceed certified weight limits, which could result in reduced
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Weight Check
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2)
of this AD: Do a weight check on the elevators identified in table 1
to paragraph (g) of this AD. Do the weight check in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-
1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, except as
specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Part Numbers
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Part name P/N (first 12 digits only)
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Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001000
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001002
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001004
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001008
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001010
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280001012
Left Hand Elevator..................... D55280002000
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001001
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001003
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001005
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001009
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001011
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280001013
Right Hand Elevator.................... D55280002001
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(1) A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable
in lieu of the weight check required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
provided the elevator weight can be conclusively determined from
that review.
(2) The use of elevator weight data from production, as
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, is acceptable in lieu of
the weight check required by paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that
the affected elevator has not been subjected to any maintenance
action that could have modified the weight.
(3) Airplanes on which Airbus modification 150390 has been
embodied in production are not required to do the actions specified
in paragraph (g) of this AD,
[[Page 15337]]
provided that no elevator having a part number (P/N) specified in
table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been installed on that
airplane since the airplane's first flight.
(h) Compliance Time for the Actions Specified in Paragraph (g) of This
AD
(1) For an elevator for which, as of the effective date of this
AD, the records show that no maintenance actions have been performed
since first installation of the elevator on an airplane, which might
have increased its weight: Within 72 months after the effective date
of this AD.
(2) For elevators other that those identified in paragraph
(h)(1) of this AD: Within 48 months after the effective date of this
AD.
(i) Corrective Actions
If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (g)
of this AD, exceeds the weight limit specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Before further flight, do
the applicable corrective actions followed by a new weight check of
the elevator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2,
dated August 19, 2011. If the elevator weight, determined as
required by the new weight check, exceeds the weight limit specified
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Before
further flight, repair the elevator using a method approved by
either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) (or its delegated agent).
(j) Elevator Re-Identification
If the elevator weight, determined by the weight check specified
in paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD, does not exceed the weight limit
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August
19, 2011: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD,
record the elevator weight and re-identify the elevator, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-55-1042, Revision 01, dated June 29, 2012.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1042, dated
August 19, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(l) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on
any airplane an elevator with a part number listed in table 1 to
paragraph (g) of this AD, unless that elevator is in compliance with
the requirements of this AD.
(m) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. 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 local flight
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(n) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0221, dated October 23,
2012, and the Airbus service information specified in paragraphs
(n)(1)(i) and (n)(1)(ii) of this AD; for related information.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1
and 2, dated August 19, 2011.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1042, Revision 01, dated
June 29, 2012.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05563 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P