Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19067-19069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7007]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0294; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-16992; AD 2012-06-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A321-131, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This AD requires 
a rotating probe inspection for cracking of the lower panel bore holes 
of the center wing box (CWB), and corrective actions if necessary. This 
AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of rib pads of the 
lower aft panel of the CWB due to poor clamping during drilling, and 
reports that metal chips trapped between panels and stiffeners could 
impact the fatigue life of CWB panels. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct cracking and damage in the bore holes of the rib pads of 
the lower forward and aft panels of the CWB which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the wings.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 16, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 16, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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. 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, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0035, dated March 2, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During removal of one centre wing box (CWB) lower aft panel [due 
to reports of defects] during production, the following defects were 
found:
--An excessive layer of sealant in between the lower panel and the 
rib pads, and
--Small metal chips between the panel and rib pads.
    Investigations revealed that the metal chips trapped between 
parts (panels and stiffeners) have a possible impact on fatigue life 
of CWB panels.
    Consequently, cracks in the bore holes of the CWB lower panel 
may occur in service, thereby reducing the structural integrity of 
the aeroplane.
    For the reasons describe above, this AD requires a special 
detailed [rotating probe] inspection of CWB lower panel bore holes 
to detect any defect [damage] or crack and,

[[Page 19068]]

depending on findings, associated corrective actions.

The unsafe condition is potential cracking and damage in the bore holes 
of the rib pads of the lower forward and aft panels of the CWB which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the wings. Required 
actions include a rotating probe inspection for cracking of the lower 
panel bore holes of the CWB, and corrective actions if necessary. The 
corrective actions include reinstalling new nominal fasteners or 
oversize fasteners. You may obtain further information by examining the 
MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-57-1120, Revision 
01, including Appendices 01, 02, and 03, dated November 15, 2006. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0294; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-047-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
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 AD.

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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 AD:

2012-06-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-16992. Docket No. FAA-2012-0294; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 16, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A321-131, -211, -212, and -231 
airplanes; certificated in any category; manufacturer serial numbers 
1293, 1299, 1307, 1333, 1356, and 1366.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of rib 
pads of the lower aft panel of the center wing box (CWB) due to poor 
clamping during drilling, and reports that metal chips trapped 
between panels and stiffeners could impact the fatigue life of CWB 
panels. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking and 
damage in the bore holes of the rib pads of the lower forward and 
aft panels of the CWB which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the wings.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Rotating Probe Inspection

    Before the accumulation of 24,000 total flight cycles or 40,000 
total flight hours, whichever occurs first, since first flight of 
the airplane: Do a rotating probe inspection for cracking of the 
bore holes of the rib pads in the lower forward and aft panels of 
the CWB, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-57-1120, Revision 01, 
excluding Appendices 01 and 02, and including Appendix 03, dated 
November 15, 2006.

[[Page 19069]]

(h) Repair of Cracking

    If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair the crack 
according to a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or EASA (or its 
delegated agent).

(i) Oversizing Bore Holes and Installing Fasteners

    If no cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, oversize the holes 
to the next nominal diameter and install the rib pads with the new 
next nominal diameter fasteners, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A320-57-1120, Revision 01, excluding Appendices 01 and 02, and 
including Appendix 03, dated November 15, 2006.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, 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, Washington 
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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2011-
0035, dated March 2, 2011; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A320-57-1120, Revision 01, dated November 15, 2006; for related 
information.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-57-1120, Revision 01, 
excluding Appendices 01 and 02, and including Appendix 03, dated 
November 15, 2006.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 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.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7007 Filed 3-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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