[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39581-39583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16735]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 39581]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0168; Product Identifier 2017-NM-135-AD; Amendment
39-19344; AD 2018-16-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 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 SAS Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-
111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness
limitations document that specifies more restrictive maintenance
requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising
the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
the specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 14, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
14, 2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 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 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0168.
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-2018-
0168; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223.
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 SAS Model
A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, -131,
-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2018 (83 FR 13885).
The NPRM was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitations
document that specifies more restrictive maintenance requirements and
airworthiness limitations. The NPRM proposed to require revising the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the
specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
We are issuing this AD to address the risks associated with the
effects of aging on airplane systems. Such effects could change system
characteristics, leading to an increased potential for failure of
certain life-limited parts, and reduced structural integrity or
controllability 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 2017-0170, dated September 7, 2017 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS
Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -211,
-212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes. The MCAI
states:
The System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR) for Airbus
A320 family aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently
defined and published in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4 document. These
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness.
Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an
unsafe condition.
Previously, EASA issued AD 2016-0093 [which corresponds to FAA
AD 2017-19-24, Amendment 39-19054 (82 FR 44900, September 27, 2017)
(``AD 2017-19-24''),] to require accomplishment of all maintenance
tasks as described in ALS Part 4 at Revision 03. ALS Part 4 Revision
04 was not mandated because no significant changes were introduced
with this Revision. The new ALS Part 4 Revision 05 (hereafter
referred to as `the ALS' in this [EASA] AD) includes new and/or more
restrictive requirements and extends the applicability to model
A320-251N, A320-271N, A321-251N, A321-253N and A321-271N aeroplanes.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0093, which is superseded, and requires
accomplishment of all tasks as described in the ALS.
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-2018-
0168.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. United
Airlines indicated that they had no objection to the NPRM.
Explanation of Changes to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of this AD to identify model
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data
sheet for the affected models.
[[Page 39582]]
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this final rule 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 for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus SAS has issued Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017. This service
information describes preventive maintenance requirements and includes
updated inspections and intervals to be incorporated into the
maintenance or inspection program. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 1,133 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this
figure may vary from operator to operator. In the past, we have
estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since
operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for
their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-operator
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, we
estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85
per work-hour).
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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
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.
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):
2018-16-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19344; Docket No. FAA-2018-0168;
Product Identifier 2017-NM-135-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective September 14, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2017-19-24, Amendment 39-19054 (82 FR 44900,
September 27, 2017) (``AD 2017-19-24'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any
category, with an original certificate of airworthiness or original
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before April 6,
2017.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N,
and -271N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -253N, and-271N airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness
limitations document that specifies more restrictive maintenance
requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD
to mitigate the risks associated with the effects of aging on
airplane systems. Such effects could change system characteristics,
leading to an increased potential for failure of certain life-
limited parts, and reduced structural integrity or controllability
of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section
(ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),''
Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017. The initial compliance time for
doing the revised actions is at the applicable time specified in
Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4, ``System Equipment
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017.
[[Page 39583]]
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g.,
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD.
(i) Terminating Action for AD 2017-19-24
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all
requirements of AD 2017-19-24.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 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.
(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
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0170, dated September 7,
2017, 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-2018-0168.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3223.
(l) 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 SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations
Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements
(SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine
No: 2, 31700 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.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195.
(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 Des Moines, Washington, on July 23, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16735 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]
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