[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65980-65983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21703]
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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. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 65980]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-9074; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-097-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 A320-211, -212, and -214 airplanes, and
Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by reports of engine fan cowl door (FCD) losses on
airplanes equipped with CFM56 engines due to operator failure to close
the FCD during ground operations. This proposed AD would require
modification and re-identification of certain FCDs or replacement of
certain FCDs. This proposed AD would also require installation of a
placard. We are proposing this AD to prevent in-flight loss of an
engine FCD and possible consequent damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 10,
2016.
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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, 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-2016-
9074; 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-2016-9074;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-097-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 Directive, 2016-0069, dated April 11, 2016 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model
A318-111 and -112 airplanes, Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, and -115
airplanes, Model A320-211, -212, and -214 airplanes, and Model A321-
111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes. The MCAI states:
Fan Cowl Door (FCD) losses were reported on aeroplanes equipped
with CFM56 engines.
Investigations confirmed that in all cases the fan cowls were
opened prior to the flight and were not correctly re-secured. During
the pre-flight inspection, it was then not detected that the FCD
were not properly latched.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in-
flight loss of a FCD, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane
and/or injury to persons on the ground.
Prompted by these events, new FCD front latch and keeper
assembly were developed, having a specific key necessary to un-latch
the FCD. This key cannot be removed unless the FCD front latch is
safely closed. The key, after removal, must be stowed in the flight
deck at a specific location, as instructed in the applicable
Aircraft Maintenance Manual. Applicable Flight Crew Operating Manual
has been amended accordingly. After modification, the FCD is
identified with a different Part Number (P/N).
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification and re-identification of FCD [or replacement of the
FCD].
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-2016-
9074.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-71-1068, Revision 01,
dated April 28, 2016. This service information describes procedures for
modifying the left-hand and right-hand FCDs on engines 1 and 2;
installing a placard;
[[Page 65981]]
and re-identifying both the left-hand and right-hand FCDs with the new
part number. 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.
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 these
same type designs.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
The parts installation prohibition specified in paragraph (5) of
the MCAI depends on the configuration of the airplane. However,
paragraph (k) of this proposed AD prohibits installing certain parts
for all airplanes as of the effective date of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 400 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Modification and re-identification Up to 7 work-hours x $4,865 $5,460 $2,184,000
of (or replacement of) FCD, and $85 per hour = $595.
Installation of Placard.
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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.
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(h), 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-2016-9074; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-
097-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 10, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD,
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 A320-211, -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 engine fan cowl door (FCD)
losses on airplanes equipped with CFM56 engines due to operator
failure to close the FCD during ground operations. We are issuing
this AD to prevent in-flight loss of an engine FCD and possible
consequent damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Modification of Affected Fan Cowl Doors and Placard Installation
Within 35 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish
concurrently the actions in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2) and (g)(3) of
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-71-1068, Revision 01, dated April 28,
2016.
(1) Modify the left-hand and right-hand FCDs on engines 1 and 2.
(2) Install a placard on the box located at the bottom of the
120 volt unit (120 VU) panel, or at the bottom of the coat stowage,
as applicable to airplane configuration.
(3) Re-identify both the left-hand and right-hand FCDs with the
new part number, as applicable, as specified in table 1 to
paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD.
[[Page 65982]]
Table 1 to Paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of This AD--Fan Cowl Door
Part Number (P/N) Change
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Door position Old P/N New P/N
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Left-hand Side--CFM56-5A.......... 238-0301-501 238M0301-501
238-0301-503 238M0301-503
238-0301-505 238M0301-505
238-0301-507 238M0301-507
238-0301-511 238M0301-511
238-0301-513 238M0301-513
238-0301-515 238M0301-515
238-0301-517 238M0301-517
238-0301-519 238M0301-519
238-0301-521 238M0301-521
238-0301-523 238M0301-523
238-0301-525 238M0301-525
238-0301-527 238M0301-527
238-0301-529 238-0301-533
238-0301-531 238-0301-535
Right-hand Side--CFM56-5A......... 238-0302-501 238M0302-501
238-0302-503 238M0302-503
238-0302-505 238M0302-505
238-0302-509 238M0302-509
238-0302-511 238M0302-511
238-0302-513 238M0302-513
238-0302-515 238M0302-515
238-0302-517 238M0302-517
238-0302-519 238M0302-519
238-0302-521 238M0302-521
238-0302-523 238M0302-523
238-0302-525 238M0302-525
238-0302-527 238M0302-527
238-0302-529 238M0302-529
238-0302-531 238M0302-531
238-0302-533 238M0302-533
238-0302-535 238M0302-535
238-0302-537 238M0302-537
238-0302-539 238-0302-547
238-0302-541 238-0302-549
238-0302-543 238-0302-551
238-0302-545 238-0302-553
Left-hand Side--CFM56-5B.......... 642-3001-503 642M3001-503
642-3001-505 642M3001-505
642-3001-507 642-3001-511
642-3001-509 642-3001-513
Right-hand Side--CFM56-5B......... 642-3002-503 642M3002-503
642-3002-505 642M3002-505
642-3002-507 642M3002-507
642-3002-509 642M3002-509
642-3002-511 642-3002-519
642-3002-513 642-3002-521
642-3002-515 642-3002-523
642-3002-517 642-3002-525
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(h) Replacement of Affected Fan Cowl Door With New Door Design
Replacing the FCDs, having a part number listed as ``Old P/N''
in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD, with the
FCDs having the corresponding part number listed as ``New P/N'' in
table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD, is equal to
compliance with paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(3) of this AD. The
replacement must be done in accordance with instructions approved by
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or
approved under Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).
(i) Compliance Information for Airplanes on Which Airbus Modification
157517 Is Embodied
An airplane on which Airbus modification 157517 has been
embodied in production, is compliant with the requirements of
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(3) of this AD, provided it is determined
that no FCD, having a part number identified as ``Old P/N'' in table
1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD, are installed on
that airplane at the effective date of the AD.
(j) Compliance Information for Airplanes on Which Airbus Modification
157519 or Modification 157521 is Embodied
An airplane on which Airbus modification 157519 or modification
157521 has been embodied in production is compliant with the
requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
airplane an FCD part number identified as ``Old P/N'' in table 1 to
paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (k) of this AD.
(l) Installation of Approved Parts
Installation on an airplane of right-hand and left-hand FCD,
having a part number approved after the effective date of this AD,
is equal to compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1)
and (g)(3) of this AD for that airplane only, provided the
conditions specified in paragraphs (l)(1) and (l)(2) of this AD are
met.
(1) The part number must be approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-
[[Page 65983]]
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA, or approved under
Airbus's EASA DOA.
(2) The FCD installation must be accomplished in accordance with
airplane modification instructions approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA;
or EASA; or approved under Airbus's EASA DOA.
(m) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-71-1068, dated
December 18, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference in this
AD.
(n) 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.
(o) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0069, dated April 11, 2016,
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-2016-9074.
(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 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 August 31, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21703 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P