[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58975-58978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23269]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0791; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-026-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 report that an investigation showed that when a
certain combination of a target/proximity sensor serial number is
installed on a flap interconnecting strut, a ``target FAR'' signal
cannot be detected when it reaches the mechanical end stop of the
interconnecting strut. This proposed AD would require an inspection to
determine the part number (P/N) of the interconnecting struts installed
on the wings, identifying the P/N and the serial number (S/N) of the
associated target and proximity sensor if applicable, and replacing or
re-identifying the flap interconnecting strut if applicable. We are
proposing
[[Page 58976]]
this AD to detect and correct a latent failure of the flap down drive
disconnection due to an already-failed interconnecting strut sensor,
which could result in asymmetric flap panel movement and consequent
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12,
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--EAS, 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, Washington 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-2013-0791;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-026-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 2012-0012, dated January 23, 2012 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The flap interconnecting strut is a safety device of the High
Lift System which acts as an alternative load path from one flap
surface to another in case of a flap drive system disconnection. In
such a failure case, the installed proximity provide information to
the slat flap control computer (SFCC) and the operation of the flap
drive system is inhibited.
A recent engineering investigation has shown that, when a
certain combination of target/sensor serial number (s/n) is
installed on a flap interconnecting strut, a ``target FAR'' signal
cannot be detected when reaching the mechanical end stop of the
interconnecting strut.
This condition, if not corrected, could cause a flap down drive
disconnection to remain undetected, due to an already-failed
interconnecting strut sensor, potentially resulting in asymmetric
flap panel movement and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires the
identification and replacement [or re-identifying] of struts that
have a certain target/sensor s/n combination installed.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated
October 10, 2011. 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
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 AD and the MCAI or Service Information
Although note 1 of the EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0012,
dated January 23, 2012, allows flight for 50 flight cycles after the
inspection of the flap down drive if an interconnecting strut cannot be
replaced, this proposed AD does not include this exception.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 755 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection and Re- 8 work-hours x $85 per $0............... $680 per $513,400 per
identification. hour = $680 per inspection cycle. inspection
inspection cycle. cycle.
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[[Page 58977]]
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these replacements:
On-condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement.................................. 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850.. $0 $850
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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-2013-0791; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
026-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 12, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -
122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132,
and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232,
and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -
213, -231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category; all
manufacturer serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that an investigation showed
that when a certain combination of a target/proximity sensor serial
number is installed on a flap interconnecting strut, a ``target
FAR'' signal cannot be detected when reaching the mechanical end
stop of the interconnecting strut. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct a latent failure of the flap down drive disconnection
due to an already-failed interconnecting strut sensor, which could
result in asymmetric flap panel movement and consequent loss of
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) Inspection To Determine the Part Number of the Interconnecting
Struts
Within 8,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
inspect to determine the part number of the interconnecting struts
installed on both the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wings of
the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10,
2011. A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable for
determining the part number of the installed interconnecting struts,
in lieu of the inspection, if the part number of the installed
interconnecting struts, and the part number and the serial number of
the associated target and proximity sensor, can be conclusively
determined from that review.
(1) Airplanes on which Airbus modification 27956 has been
embodied in production, on which no interconnecting strut having a
part number specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, and
has been replaced since the airplane's first flight: No further work
is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this
AD, any interconnecting strut is installed with a part number
specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 8,000
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, determine the part
number and the serial number of the associated target and proximity
sensor.
Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Interconnecting Strut Part Numbers
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Interconnecting strut part numbers
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D5757030500000
D5757030500100
D5757030500200
D5757030500600
D5757030500800
D5757030501000
D5757030501200
D5757032200000
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(i) For airplanes having conditions specified in paragraphs
(g)(2)(i)(A), (g)(2)(i)(B), (g)(2)(i)(C), and (g)(2)(i)(D) of this
AD: Before further flight, replace the interconnecting strut with a
serviceable unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
[[Page 58978]]
27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011. For the purpose of
this AD, a serviceable interconnecting strut is a unit which has
been determined to be in compliance with the requirements of this
AD.
(A) A target part number (P/N) ABS0121-13 or P/N 8-536-01, and
(B) A target serial number lower than 1600, or a target serial
number that is unreadable, and
(C) A proximity sensor having P/N ABS0121-31 or P/N 8-372-04,
and
(D) A proximity sensor having a serial number between C59198 and
C59435, or a serial number (S/N) C500000 or higher.
(ii) For a target having S/N 1600 or higher and target P/N
ABS0121-13 or P/N 8-536-01: Within 8,000 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, re-identify the interconnecting strut, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011.
(h) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
interconnecting strut with a part number specified in figure 1 to
paragraph (g) of this AD, on any airplane, except for parts
identified in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, provided that the
actions in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) are done.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1206, dated January 28, 2011, and if additional work has been
accomplished using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1206, Revision
01, dated October 10, 2011.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, 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, Washington 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0012, dated January 23,
2012, for related information, which can be found in the AD docket
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 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 September 13, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23269 Filed 9-24-13; 8:45 am]
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