[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50551-50553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20383]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-1051; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-171-AD;
Amendment 39-18239; AD 2015-17-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports that on airplanes equipped
[[Page 50552]]
with sharklets, discretes (used to activate the load alleviation
function) are connected on various flight computers using the same
ground point. In these cases, the ground point segregation is no longer
effective, and a single failure could lead to loss of sharklet
identification by flight computers causing a return to the wing tip
fence (no sharklet configuration) performance. This AD requires
modification of the sharklet ground connection. We are issuing this AD
to prevent loss of sharklet identification by the flight computers and
subsequent reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 24, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
24, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-1051 or in person at the
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
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 account.airworth [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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1051.
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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on January 23, 2015 (80 FR 3520). The NPRM was prompted by
reports that on airplanes equipped with sharklets, discretes (used to
activate the load alleviation function) are connected on various flight
computers using the same ground point. In these cases, the ground point
segregation is no longer effective and a single failure could lead to
loss of sharklet identification by flight computers causing a return to
the wing tip fence (no sharklet configuration) performance. The NPRM
proposed to require modification of the sharklet ground connection. We
are issuing this AD to prevent loss of sharklet identification by the
flight computers and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0186, dated August 19, 2014 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:
During A320 Neo review, Airbus design office identified that on
A320 family aeroplanes equipped with sharklets, discretes used to
activate the load alleviation function are connected on various
flight computers using the same ground point. In that case, the
ground point segregation is no longer effective and a single failure
could lead to loss of sharklet identification by the flight
computers, inducing a return to the wing tip fence (no sharklet
configuration) behaviour.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control
of the aeroplane, depending on aeroplane configuration and flight
phase.
It has been determined that Airbus mod 156108 restores the
correct segregation. However, since introduction of sharklet mod
160500 and mod 160023, a number of aeroplanes equipped with
sharklets have been delivered without incorporating mod 156108. In
addition, mod 156108 was not included in certain SBs [service
bulletins] that introduce the sharklet device in service onto
aeroplanes with a reinforced wing, previously operated with a wing
tip fence. Airbus mod 156108 has now been introduced into Airbus SB
A320-57-1186 at Rev.03 and will be introduced at next revisions of
SB A320-57-1173 and SB A320-57-1187.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus published SB
A320-27-1240 for in-service installation of mod 156108.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires modification
of the sharklet ground connection.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1051-0002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 3520, January 23,
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (80 FR 3520, January 23, 2015) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 3520, January 23, 2015).
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27-1240, dated June 18,
2014. The service information describes procedures for modification of
the sharklet ground connection. 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 or AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 46 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 14 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $347 per
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $70,702, or $1,537 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
[[Page 50553]]
products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-1051; 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 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):
2015-17-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-18239. Docket No. FAA-2014-1051;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-171-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective September 24, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of
this AD, all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus
modification (mod) 160500 or mod 160023 has been embodied in
production, and those that have been modified in service through the
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1173, A320-57-1186, or A320-57-1187,
except those on which Airbus mod 156108 has been embodied in
production.
(1) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133
airplanes.
(2) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
(3) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports that on airplanes equipped with
sharklets, discretes (used to activate the load alleviation
function) are connected on various flight computers using the same
ground point. In these cases, the ground point segregation is no
longer effective, and a single failure could lead to loss of
sharklet identification by flight computers causing a return to the
wing tip fence (no sharklet configuration) performance. We are
issuing this AD to prevent loss of sharklet identification by the
flight computers and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Modification
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the
sharklet ground connection, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1240, dated June 18,
2014.
(h) 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, 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
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0186, dated August 19, 2014, for
related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-
1051-0002.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1240, dated June 18, 2014.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) 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]">account.airworth-[email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
(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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 10, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20383 Filed 8-19-15; 8:45 am]
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