Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67042-67044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26436]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0452; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-185-AD; 
Amendment 39-18013; AD 2014-22-08]
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 all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a determination that more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the maintenance or 
inspection program as applicable. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
safety-significant latent failure (which is not annunciated) which, in 
combination with one or more other specific failures or events, would 
result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 17, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 17, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0452 or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    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. You may view this referenced 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.

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 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Model A318, 
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on July 18, 2014 (79 FR 41938).
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0148, dated July 16, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition all Airbus Model A318, 
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are 
currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
documents. The airworthiness limitations applicable to the 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) were previously 
specified in AIRBUS A318/A319/A320/A321 CMR document referenced AI/
ST4/993.436/88.
    DGAC France issued AD F-2005-101 [(http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2005_5886_F20051010tb_superseded.pdf/AD_F-2005-101_2)] 
(EASA approval 2005-5886) to require compliance with the maintenance 
tasks as specified in that document.
    Since that [DGAC France] AD was issued, the CMR tasks are 
specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 3, which is 
approved by EASA. The original issue of this document introduced 
more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness 
limitations. Failure to comply with the maintenance requirements 
contained in this document could result in an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD supersedes DGAC 
France AD F-2005-101 and requires the implementation of the 
instructions and airworthiness limitations as specified in Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 3 Revision 01.


[[Page 67043]]


    The unsafe condition is a safety-significant latent failure (which 
is not annunciated) which, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, would result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0452-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 41938, July 18, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this 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 (79 FR 41938, July 18, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 41938, July 18, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 851 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 $0 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $72,335, or $85 per product.

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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0452; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility 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.

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):

2014-22-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-18013. Docket No. FAA-2014-0452; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-185-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 17, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits 
and Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a safety-significant latent failure (which is not 
annunciated) which, in combination with one or more other specific 
failures or events, would result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 1, 
dated June 15, 2012. The initial compliance time for accomplishing 
the tasks specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 3, CMR, 
Revision 1, dated June 15, 2012, is at the applicable time specified 
in the Record of Revisions of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 3, 
CMR, Revision 1, dated June 15, 2012; or within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishing the revisions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) 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

[[Page 67044]]

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) 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 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2013-0148, 
dated July 16, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0452-0002.

(k) 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 A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 
1, dated June 15, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 view this 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 October 28, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26436 Filed 11-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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