[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55859-55861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22603]
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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. 84, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2019 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 55859]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0500; Product Identifier 2019-NM-078-AD; Amendment
39-19759; AD 2019-20-06]
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: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a
determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations
are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 22, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 22,
2019.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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-2019-
0500.
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-2019-
0500; 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 is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2019-0091, dated April 26, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0091'') (also
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model
A310 series airplanes.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model
A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
July 1, 2019 (84 FR 31249). The NPRM was prompted by a determination
that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, damage, or
corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in
reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for
additional background information.
Comment
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA considered the comment received.
FedEx had no objection to the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA 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. The FAA 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 has issued Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section
(ALS), Part 2, Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),
Revision 03, dated December 14, 2018 (``Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-
ALI, Revision 03''), as supplemented by Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-
ALI, Variation 3.1, Issue 01, dated December 20, 2018 (``Airbus A310
ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 3.1, Issue 01''). Airbus A310 ALS, Part
2, DT-ALI, Revision 03, describes mandatory maintenance tasks that
operators must perform at specified intervals. Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2,
DT-ALI, Variation 3.1, Issue 01, describes additional mandatory
maintenance tasks related to widespread fatigue damage that operators
must perform at specified intervals.
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
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 workhours per operator,
although the FAA recognizes that this number may vary from operator to
operator. In the
[[Page 55860]]
past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program
changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
Therefore, the FAA estimates 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.
The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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):
2019-20-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19759; Docket No. FAA-2019-0500;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-078-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 22, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2017-21-08, Amendment 39-19079 (82 FR 48904,
October 23, 2017) (``AD 2017-21-08''); and AD 2018-19-31, Amendment
39-19432 (83 FR 48930, September 28, 2018) (``AD 2018-19-31'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222,
-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any category,
all manufacturer serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate the information specified in Airbus A310 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, Damage Tolerant Airworthiness
Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 03, dated December 14, 2018
(``Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Revision 03''), as supplemented
by Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 3.1, Issue 01, dated
December 20, 2018 (``Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 3.1,
Issue 01''). The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at
the time specified in Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Revision 03,
as supplemented by Airbus A310 ALS, Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 3.1,
Issue 01; or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD;
whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the existing 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 2017-21-08 and AD 2018-19-31
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all
requirements of AD 2017-21-08 and AD 2018-19-31.
(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 Union
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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD: If any service information contains
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the procedures and tests identified as RC can
[[Page 55861]]
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2019-0091, dated April 26, 2019, 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-2019-0500.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3225.
(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 A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2,
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision
03, dated December 14, 2018.
(ii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part
2, Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),
Variation 3.1, Issue 01, dated December 20, 2018.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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, email [email protected], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on October 3, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22603 Filed 10-17-19; 8:45 am]
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