[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76572-76574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30030]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 18, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 76572]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1028; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-068-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 A318-111 and -112 airplanes, Model A319-111, -112, -113, -
114, and -115 airplanes, Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -214
airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of broken aft engine mount
retainers. This proposed AD would require inspecting the aft engine
mount retainers for surface finish, and for cracks and failure, and
replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure
of retainer brackets of the aft engine mount and consequent loss of the
locking feature of the nuts of the inner and outer pins. Loss of the
pins will result in the aft mount engine link no longer being secured
to the aft engine mount.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3,
2014.
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 Airbus 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.
For Goodrich Corporation service information identified in this
proposed AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Aerostructures, 850 Lagoon
Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910-2098; phone: 619-691-2719; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.
You may view this 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 Management Facility
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-2013-1028;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-068-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 2013-0050, dated March 5, 2013 (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:
During in-service inspections, several aft engine mount
retainers, fitted on aeroplanes equipped with CFM56-5/5B engines,
have been found broken.
The results of the investigations highlight that two different
types of surface finish have been applied (respectively bright and
dull material finishes), and that dull finish adversely affects the
strength of the retainer with regard to fatigue properties of the
part.
The pins which attach the engine link to the aft mount are
secured by two nuts, which do not have a self-locking feature; this
function is provided by the retainer brackets. In case of failure of
the retainer bracket, the locking feature of the nuts of the inner
and outer pins is lost; as a result, these nuts could subsequently
become loose.
In case of full loss of the nuts, there is the potential to also
lose the pins, in which case the aft mount link will no longer be
secured to the aft engine mount. The same locking feature is used
for the three link assemblies of the aft mount.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the aft engine mount to
identify the affected dull finish retainers [and for cracks and
failure] and replace these [retainers] with serviceable retainers.
This [EASA] AD also prohibits installation of any dull finish aft
engine mount retainers.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1028.
[[Page 76573]]
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT)
A71N001-12, Rev. 2, dated February 27, 2013.
Goodrich Corporation has issued Goodrich Service Bulletin RA32071-
146, Rev. 2, dated July 26, 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
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 851 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...................... 3 work-hours x $85 $0 $255 per inspection $217,005 per
per hour = $255 cycle for two inspection cycle
per inspection engines. for two engines.
cycle for two
engines.
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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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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bracket replacement.................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $10,000 $10,085 per engine.
= $85 per engine.
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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 proposed 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.
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 (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-1028; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
068-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by February 3, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category, all
manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, and -115 airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -214 airplanes.
(4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of broken aft engine mount
retainers. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of retainer
brackets of the aft engine mount and consequent loss of the locking
feature of the nuts of the inner and outer pins. Loss of the
[[Page 76574]]
pins will result in the aft mount engine link no longer being
secured to the aft engine mount.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection of the aft engine mount retainers for surface
finish (dull or bright), and for cracks and failure, in accordance
with Section 4.2.2, ``Inspection Requirements,'' of Airbus Alert
Operators Transmission (AOT) A71N001-12, Rev. 2, dated February 27,
2013, except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(h) Exception to Paragraph (g) of This AD
The actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD are not
required to be done on airplanes with manufacturer serial numbers
4942 and higher, provided a review of maintenance records verifies
that no aft engine mount retainers have been replaced since first
flight of the airplane.
(i) Repetitive Inspection and Retainer Replacement for Dull Finish
Retainers
If, during the detailed inspection required by paragraph (g) of
this AD, any installed dull finish aft engine mount retainer is
found without cracks and not failed: Do the actions specified in
paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 25 flight cycles after doing the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, repeat the detailed inspection specified
in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Within 50 flight cycles after doing the first detailed
inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Replace all dull
finish retainers with a new or serviceable retainer, in accordance
with Section 4.2.3.1, ``Replacement Procedure,'' of Airbus AOT
A71N001-12, Rev. 2, dated February 27, 2013.
(j) Replacement of Cracked or Failed Retainers
If, during any detailed inspection specified in paragraph (g) of
this AD, any installed aft engine mount retainer is found cracked or
failed: Before further flight, replace all affected aft engine mount
retainers with a new or serviceable retainer, in accordance with
Section 4.2.3, ``Replacement Procedure,'' of Airbus AOT A71N001-12,
Rev. 2, dated February 27, 2013.
(k) Parts Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any
aft engine mount retainer with a dull finish on any airplane. The
instructions of Airbus AOT A71N001-12, Revision 2, dated February
27, 2013; or the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service
Bulletin RA32071-146, Rev. 2, dated July 26, 2012; can be used to
verify the correct finish of the part.
(l) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by
paragraphs (g), (i), and (j) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus AOT
A71N001-12, Rev. 1, dated August 9, 2012.
(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, use these actions if they
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its
delegated agent, or by the Design Approval Holder with a State of
Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair
method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer
to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(n) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane
can be modified (if the operator elects to do so), provided no dull
finish aft engine mount retainers that are cracked or have failed
are installed.
(o) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2013-
0050, dated March 5, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be
found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1028.
(2) For Airbus 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.
(3) For Goodrich Corporation service information identified in
this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Aerostructures, 850 Lagoon
Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910-2098; phone: 619-691-2719; email:
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.
(4) You may view this 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 December 9, 2013.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30030 Filed 12-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P