[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34101-34103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14228]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-1429; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-246-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
certain Airbus Model A319-113, A319-114, A320-211, and A320-212
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the aft mount
pylon bolts of the CFM56-5 engines may have been installed using the
wrong torque values. This proposed AD would require identification of
engines that were installed using the wrong torque values and re-torque
of the four aft mount pylon bolts of those engines. We are proposing
this AD to detect and correct improper torque of the aft mount pylon
bolts, which, if combined with any maintenance damage, could lead to
aft engine mount failure, possibly resulting in engine detachment and
consequent reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 30, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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 view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1429; 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-2015-1429;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-246-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 Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness
[[Page 34102]]
Directive 2014-0258, dated November 28, 2014 (referred to after this as
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A319-113, A319-
114, A320-211, and A320-212 airplanes. The MCAI states:
In the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) revision dated May
2013, a wrong torque value was added in AMM task 71-00-00-400-040-
A01 ``Installation of the power plant with Engine Positioner
TWW75E''. Temporary Revisions (TR) dated March 2014 were published
by Airbus to correct the information and with AMM revision dated May
2014, Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01 was corrected to include the correct
values. Notwithstanding those actions, static and fatigue analyses
have concluded that this under-torque scenario negatively impacts
the assembly performance, reducing the aft mount capability.
This condition, if not corrected and if combined with any
maintenance damage, could lead to aft engine mount failure, possibly
resulting in engine detachment and consequent reduced control of the
aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
identification of CFM56-5 engines (those listed in TCDS EASA.E.067
[http://easa.europa.eu/document-library/type-certificates/easae067])
that were installed by using the wrong torque data of AMM
instructions mentioned above and re-torque of the four aft mount
pylon bolts of those engines.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1429.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-71-1063, including Appendix
01, dated August 13, 2014. The service information describes procedures
to detect and correct improper torque of the aft mount pylon bolts. The
actions described in this service information are intended to correct
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. This service information
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified
in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
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 126 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 2 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 this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $21,420, or $170
per product.
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.
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-2015-1429; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
246-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 30, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category,
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, all
manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Airbus Model A319-113 and -114 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A320-211 and -212 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that the aft mount pylon bolts
of the CFM56-5 engines may have been installed using the wrong
torque values. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper
torque of the aft mount pylon bolts, which, if combined with any
maintenance damage, could lead to aft engine mount failure, possibly
resulting in engine detachment and consequent reduced control of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection for Incorrect Torque Values
Within 6 months or 1,500 flight cycles, whichever occurs first
after the effective date of this AD, determine the method used to
install the engines, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-71-1063, including
Appendix 01, dated August 13, 2014. A review of airplane maintenance
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the method used
to install the engines can be
[[Page 34103]]
conclusively determined from that review. For any engine replaced as
specified in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance
Manual (AMM), Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01, ``Installation of the Power
Plant with Engine Positioner TWW 75E,'' dated May 2013: Within 6
months or 1,500 flight cycles, whichever occurs first after the
effective date of this AD, re-torque the 4 aft mount pylon bolts
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus' EASA Design Organization Approval
(DOA).
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Additional guidance for the
re-torque can be found in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 AMM Temporary
Revision 71-030, dated March 14, 2014, or Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321
AMM Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01, ``Installation of the Power Plant
with Engine Positioner TWW 75E,'' dated May 2014.
(h) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
CFM56-5 engine, on any airplane, unless the engine is installed in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-71-1063, including Appendix 01, dated August 13, 2014.
(i) 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA;
or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must
include the DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0258, dated November 28,
2014, 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 Docket No. FAA-2015-1429.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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 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 June 3, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14228 Filed 6-12-15; 8:45 am]
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