Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41286-41289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15335]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1035; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-235-AD; 
Amendment 39-17492; AD 2013-13-04]
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

[[Page 41287]]

Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report of an uncommanded nose landing gear (NLG) 
retraction. This AD requires installing a power interruption protection 
circuit for the landing gear control interface unit (LGCIU). We are 
issuing this AD to prevent untimely unlocking and/or retraction of the 
NLG, which, while on the ground, could result in injury to ground 
personnel and damage to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 14, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 14, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

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 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 3, 2012 (77 
FR 60331). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the aviation authority for the Member States of the European 
Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0202, dated 
October 13, 2011 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products.
    The MCAI states:

    After a push back from the gate, an A320 aeroplane was preparing 
to initiate taxi, when an uncommanded nose landing gear (NLG) 
retraction occurred, causing the nose of the aeroplane to hit the 
ground. Investigations revealed that the retraction was caused by a 
combination of a power interruption to LGCIUs [landing gear control 
interface unit] and an internal hydraulic leak through the landing 
gear (LG) selector valve 40GA.
    Deeper investigations have revealed that LGCIU power 
interruption appears during engine start at each flight. Even though 
no incident has been reported in service, it has been determined 
that a non compliance to the safety objective exists when combined 
with a dormant single failure of the selector valve seal leaking.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further 
incidents of untimely unlocking and/or retraction of the NLG which, 
while on the ground, could result in injury to ground personnel and 
damage to the aeroplane.
    To address the possible hydraulic leak of the LG selector valve, 
EASA issued AD 2007-0065, currently at Revision 2.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
installation of a power interruption protection circuit to the LGCIU 
and the accomplishment of associated modifications [installation of 
new seals on nose landing gear (NLG)/main landing gear (MLG) door 
valve selector and gear valve-selector and for certain airplanes, 
re-identification of identification plates].

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request To Reference Latest Service Information

    Airbus requested that we refer to Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-
32-1346, Revision 05, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated January 13, 
2012. US Airways and Virgin America requested that the NPRM (77 FR 
60331, October 3, 2012) mandate this revision in lieu of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 04, including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated April 22, 2011.
    We disagree with the requests. We reviewed Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 05, including Appendices 01 and 02, 
dated January 13, 2012. Revision 05 requires additional work such as 
changes to the part number of a placard and adds a test of a battery 
relay. Therefore, referring to that revision of the service information 
in the final rule would require issuance of a supplemental NPRM. In 
light of this, and in the interest of the safety of the flying public, 
we will reference the service information that was referenced in the 
proposed NPRM (77 FR 60331, October 3, 2012) so as to not delay 
issuance of this final rule. Airbus or affected operators may, however, 
request approval to use a later revision of referenced service 
information as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. We have not 
changed the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed--except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 60331, October 3, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 60331, October 3, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 755 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 48 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 $8,220 per 
product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that 
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be up to $9,286,500, or up to $12,300 per product.

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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://

[[Page 41288]]

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 the 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.

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:

2013-13-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-17492. Docket No. FAA-2012-1035; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-235-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 14, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, 
A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-
131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-111, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, 
A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-
211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers, 
except airplanes on which Airbus modification 37866 has been 
embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded nose landing 
gear (NLG) retraction. We are issuing this AD to prevent untimely 
unlocking and/or retraction of the NLG, which, while on the ground, 
could result in injury to ground personnel and damage to the 
airplane.

(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) Modification

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(1) 
or (g)(2) of this AD: Install a power interruption protection 
circuit for the landing gear control interface unit (LGCIU), in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 04, including Appendices 01 and 02, 
dated April 22, 2011 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes other than the Model A319CJ (corporate jet) airplanes); or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1349, Revision 03, including 
Appendix 1, dated October 5, 2011 (for Model A319CJ (corporate jet) 
airplanes).
    (1) For airplanes that have embodied Airbus modification 38947 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1348 during production 
or in service: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For all airplanes other than those identified in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD: Within 60 months after the effective date of this 
AD.

(h) Re-Identification of Identification Plates

    For airplanes on which the installation required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD have been done before the effective date of this AD 
using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, dated December 4, 2008 
(for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes other than 
Model A319CJ (corporate jet) airplanes): Within the applicable times 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, re-identify 
the identification plates, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 04, 
including Appendices 01 and 02, dated April 22, 2011 (for Model 
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes other than Model A319CJ 
(corporate jet) airplanes).

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the service information specified in 
paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(6) of this AD, which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 01, dated 
October 27, 2009 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes).
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 02, dated 
November 4, 2009 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes).
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 03, dated 
January 7, 2010 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes).
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1349, dated December 4, 2008 
(for Model A319CJ (corporate jet) airplanes).
    (5) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1349, Revision 01, dated 
August 31, 2009, (for Model A319CJ (corporate jet) airplanes).
    (6) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1349, Revision 02, dated 
June 16, 2010 (for Model A319CJ (corporate jet) airplanes).

(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, 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) 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

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2011-
0202, dated October 13, 2011, for related information. This MCAI may 
be viewed on the Internet at http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2011_0202.pdf.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD. (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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1346, Revision 04, including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated April 22, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1349, Revision 03, 
including Appendix 1, dated October 5, 2011.
    (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]; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane

[[Page 41289]]

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 June 14, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15335 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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