Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48286-48289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19023]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0671; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-124-AD; 
Amendment 39-17547; AD 2013-16-09]
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 all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and

[[Page 48287]]

A321 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine 
airplane configuration and part numbers of the landing gear control 
interface unit and main landing gear (MLG) door actuators; and, for 
affected airplanes, repetitive inspections of the opening sequence of 
the MLG door actuator, and replacement of the MLG door actuator if 
necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by a report of a MLG 
failing to extend during landing, and a determination that a certain 
configuration of landing gear control interface unit and actuators may 
result in masking of centralized fault display system messages that are 
necessary to mitigate risks associated with failure of MLG extension or 
down-locking. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such a 
configuration, which could prevent the full extension or down-locking 
of the MLG, possibly resulting in MLG collapse during landing and 
consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 23, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 23, 
2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 23, 2013.

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 Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information (MCAI), 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:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2013-0132-E, dated June 25, 2013 
(referred to after this as the ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Some operators reported slow operation of the main landing gear 
(MLG) door opening/closing sequence, leading to the generation of 
Centralized Fault Display System (CFDS) messages/ECAM [electronic 
centralized aircraft monitor] warnings during the landing gear 
retraction or extension sequence. Investigations showed that the 
damping ring and associated retaining ring of the MLG door actuator 
deteriorate. The resultant debris increases the friction inside the 
actuator which can be sufficiently high to restrict opening of the 
MLG door by gravity, during operation of the landing gear alternate 
(free-fall) extension system.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the 
full extension and/or down-locking of the MLG, possibly resulting in 
MLG collapse during landing and consequent damage to the aeroplane 
and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued [EASA] 
AD 2011-0069 (currently at R1) [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2011_0069_R1.pdf/AD_2011-0069R1_1] [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2011-13-11, Amendment 39-16734 (76 FR 37241, June 27, 2011)] to 
require an amendment of the applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), 
repetitive checks of specific CFDS messages, and repetitive 
inspections of the opening sequence of the MLG door actuator and, 
depending on findings, corrective action.
    Since that AD [EASA AD 2011-0069R1] was issued, following a 
recent occurrence with a gear extension problem, additional analyses 
by Airbus have revealed that the CFDS expected specific messages may 
be not generated and as a result, repetitive checks of messages are 
not effective for aeroplanes fitted with landing gear control 
interface unit (LGCIU) interlink communication ARINC 429 (applied in 
production through Airbus Modification (mod.) 39303, or in service 
through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320-32-1409), in combination 
with certain LGCIUs and MLG door actuators installed.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] Emergency AD 
requires identification of the affected aeroplanes to establish the 
configuration and, for those aeroplanes, repetitive inspections of 
the opening sequence of the MLG door actuator and, depending on 
findings, replacement of the MLG door actuator.
    This [EASA] AD also provides optional terminating action by 
disconnection of the interlink for certain LGCIUs, or in-service 
modification of the aeroplane by installation of MLG actuator Part 
Number (P/N) 114122014 through Airbus SB A320-32-1407 (Airbus 
production mod. 153655).

    Doing an inspection of the door opening sequence of the left-hand 
and right-hand doors of the MLG of an airplane, as required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, is an acceptable alternative method to comply 
with the requirements of paragraphs (j) and (l) of AD 2011-13-11, 
Amendment 39-16734 (76 FR 37241, June 27, 2011), for that airplane.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A32N001-13, 
dated June 24, 2013; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1407, dated 
May 14, 2013. 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.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule. Since the 
issuance of FAA AD 2011-13-11, Amendment 39-16734 (76 FR 37241, June 
27, 2011), we have received a report of a MLG failing to extend during 
landing. We have also been notified that a certain configuration of 
LGCIU and actuators may result in masking of CFDS messages that are 
necessary to mitigate risks associated with failure of MLG

[[Page 48288]]

extension or down-locking. This condition could possibly result in MLG 
collapse during landing and consequent damage to the airplane and 
injury to occupants. Therefore, we determined that notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable 
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer 
than 30 days.

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-2013-0671; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-NM-124-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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 851 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Configuration and part number      1 work-hour x $85              $0  $85.................  $72,335.
 determination.                     per hour = $85.
MLG door repetitive inspection...  2 work-hours x $85             $0  $170 per inspection   $144,670 per
                                    per hour = $170 per                cycle.                inspection cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in 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 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:

2013-16-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-17547. Docket No. FAA-2013-0671; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-124-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 23, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2011-13-11, Amendment 39-16734 (76 FR 37241, 
June 27, 2011), by providing an alternative method to comply with 
the requirements of paragraphs (j) and (l) of AD 2011-13-11.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and 
(c)(4) of this AD, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a main landing gear (MLG) 
failing to extend during landing, and a determination that a certain 
configuration of landing gear control interface unit (LGCIU) and 
actuators may result in masking of centralized fault display system 
messages that are necessary to mitigate risks associated with 
failure of MLG extension or down-locking. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct such a configuration, which could prevent the 
full extension or down-locking of the MLG, possibly resulting in MLG 
collapse during landing and consequent damage to the airplane and 
injury to occupants.

[[Page 48289]]

(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) Configuration and Part Number (P/N) Determination

    At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD: Do an inspection to determine the 
configuration (modification status) of the airplane and identify the 
part number of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) LGCIU and MLG 
door actuators. A review of the airplane delivery or maintenance 
records is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this 
paragraph provided the airplane configuration and installed 
components can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 800 total flight cycles since 
first flight of the airplane.
    (2) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD.

(h) MLG Door Opening Sequence Repetitive Inspections

    If, during the determination and identification required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, the configuration of the airplane is 
determined to be Airbus post-modification 39303 or post-Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-32-1409 (Interlink Communication ARINC 429 
installed), and both an LGCIU and a MLG door actuator are installed 
with a part number listed in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD: 
Except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD, at the later of the 
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this 
AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8 days or 5 flight 
cycles, whichever occurs later, do an inspection of the door opening 
sequence of the LH and RH MLG doors, in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A32N001-
13, dated June 24, 2013.

                   Table 1 to Paragraph (h) of This AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Component name                          Part No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LGCIU (LH and RH)....................................    80-178-02-88012
LGCIU (LH and RH)....................................    80-178-03-88013
MLG door actuator....................................          114122006
MLG door actuator....................................          114122007
MLG door actuator....................................          114122009
MLG door actuator....................................          114122010
MLG door actuator....................................          114122011
MLG door actuator....................................          114122012
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) MLG Door Opening Sequence Corrective Action

    If a slow door operation or restricted extension is found during 
any inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further 
flight, replace the affected MLG door actuator with a new or 
serviceable actuator, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus 
AOT A32N001-13, dated June 24, 2013.

(j) Repetitive Inspection--Terminating Action

    Replacement of a MLG door actuator, as required by paragraph (i) 
of this AD, does not constitute terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD, unless 
MLG door actuators having P/N 114122014 are installed on both LH and 
RH sides, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1407, dated May 14, 2013.

(k) Repetitive Inspection Exception

    Airplanes on which the LGCIU interlink is disconnected (Airbus 
modification 155522 applied in production, or modified in-service in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A32N001-13, dated 
June 24, 2013), or on which MLG door actuators having P/N 114122014 
are installed on both LH and RH sides (Airbus modification 153655 
applied in production, or modified in-service in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1407, 
dated May 14, 2013), are not required to do the actions required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, provided that the airplane is not modified 
to a configuration as defined in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(l) Alternative Action for AD 2011-13-11, Amendment 39-16734 (76 FR 
37241, June 27, 2011)

    Doing an inspection of the door opening sequence of the LH and 
RH doors of the MLG of an airplane, as required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, is an acceptable alternative method to comply with the 
requirements of paragraphs (j) and (l) of AD 2011-13-11, Amendment 
39-16734 (76 FR 37241, June 27, 2011), for that airplane.

(m) 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) 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.

(n) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the airplane 
can be modified (if the operator elects to do so), provided the MLG 
remains extended and locked, and that no MLG recycle is done.

(o) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European 
Aviation Safety Agency Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2013-0132-
E, dated June 25, 2013, for related information, which can be found 
in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(p) 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 Alert Operators Transmission A32N001-13, dated June 
24, 2013.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1407, dated May 14, 2013.
    (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 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 July 26, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19023 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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