Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6897-6899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02407]



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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 6897]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0087; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-234-AD; 
Amendment 39-18098; AD 2015-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A319-115, A319-133, A320-214, A320-232, and A320-233 
airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the 
outboard main landing gear (MLG) support rib lower flange fasteners for 
discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was 
prompted by reports of failure of certain fasteners on the MLG support 
rib lower flange. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
discrepancies of the fasteners at the outboard MLG support rib lower 
flange, which could result in an airplane not meeting its maximum loads 
expected in service. This condition could result in structural failure.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 24, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6, 
2015 (80 FR 3155, January 22, 2015).
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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.
    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.

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-2015-
0087; 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, 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 Union, has issued 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0270R1, dated December 15, 2014 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Airbus Model 
A319-115, A319-133, A320-214, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    During production of wings, a number of taperlok fasteners were 
found failed after installation. The fasteners in question are 
located at the bottom skin of the Main Landing Gear (MLG) 
reinforcing plate, wing skin and Gear Support Rib 5 lower flange.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected could reduce the 
design margin of the structure [and could result in structural 
failure].
    Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, this 
affects only certain A319 and A320 aeroplane Models delivered since 
January 2014. A321 aeroplanes are not affected, as the wing assembly 
is done using parallel fasteners. A318 aeroplanes are not affected, 
since none have been delivered since January 2014.
    Prompted by these findings, EASA issued Emergency AD 2014-0270-E 
[dated December 11, 2014] to require repetitive inspections of the 
bottom skin taperlok fasteners at the MLG Rib 5 footprint location 
and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s).
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, operator comments have 
indicated the need for clarification, as well as correction.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD is revised to add 
Notes for information and to correct paragraphs (1) and (2) of the 
[EASA] AD.
    This [EASA] AD is still considered to be an interim action and 
further AD action may follow.

    Required actions include repetitive detailed visual inspections to 
detect discrepancies (broken or missing fastener tails or nuts) of the 
outboard MLG support rib lower flange location fasteners, and, 
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s). Corrective actions include fastener replacement. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0087.

Related Rulemaking

    On January 7, 2015, the FAA issued AD 2014-26-53, Amendment 39-
18068 (80 FR 3155, January 22, 2015), for certain Airbus Model A319-
115, A319-133, A320-214, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes. That AD 
requires

[[Page 6898]]

repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect discrepancies of the 
wing lower skin surface and inboard MLG support rib lower flange 
location fasteners and, depending on findings, accomplishment of 
applicable corrective action(s).
    The preamble to AD 2014-26-53, Amendment 39-18068 (80 FR 3155, 
January 22, 2015), explains that EASA AD 2014-0270R1, dated December 
15, 2014, specifies to do repetitive detailed visual inspections of the 
outboard MLG support rib lower flange fasteners and nuts. However, 
those inspections were not required by AD 2014-26-53 because the 
specified compliance time for those actions was four months, and the 
FAA was considering further rulemaking to require those inspections. We 
now have determined that further rulemaking is indeed necessary, and 
this AD follows from that determination.
    This new AD applies to the same airplane models as AD 2014-26-53, 
Amendment 39-18068 (80 FR 3155, January 22, 2015), but requires 
repetitive detailed visual inspections of the outboard MLG support rib 
lower flange fasteners for discrepancies (broken or missing fastener 
tails or nuts) and fastener replacement if applicable.

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 these 
same type designs.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    In addition to specifying detailed visual inspections of the 
outboard MLG support rib lower flange fasteners for discrepancies, EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0270 R1, dated December 15, 2014, 
specifies to do repetitive detailed visual inspections of the external 
surface of the left and right lower skin to detect missing or migrating 
fasteners, and detailed inspections of the inboard MLG support rib 
lower flange to detect any missing or broken nuts or fastener tails; 
and corrective actions, if necessary. However, these inspections are 
not required by this AD. Those actions are required by AD 2014-26-53, 
Amendment 39-18068 (80 FR 3155, January 22, 2015).

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 because 
failure of more than two fasteners at the outboard MLG support rib 
lower flange could result in an airplane not meeting its maximum loads 
expected in-service. This condition could result in failure of the 
structure. 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-2015-0087; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-NM-234-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 based on 
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 80 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. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $6,800, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $400 per fastener, 
for a cost of $655 per fastener replacement. We have no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions.

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.

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.


[[Page 6899]]




Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-03-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-18098. Docket No. FAA-2015-0087; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-234-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 24, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-115, A319-133, A320-214, 
A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes, certificated in any category, 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 5817, 5826, 5837, 5848, 5855, 
5864, 5875, 5886, 5896, and 5910, and MSNs 5918 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of certain fasteners 
on the main landing gear (MLG) support rib lower flange. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the fasteners 
at the outboard MLG support rib lower flange, which could result in 
an airplane not meeting its maximum loads expected in service. This 
condition could result in structural failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, or within 4 
months after the date of issuance of the original certificate of 
airworthiness or the original export certificate of airworthiness, 
or before further flight for any airplane that is not in operation 
for more than 4 months, whichever occurs latest: Do a detailed 
visual inspection of the left and right outboard MLG support rib 
lower flange to detect any discrepancy (broken or missing fastener 
tails or nuts), in accordance with Airbus Alert Operators 
Transmission (AOT) A57N006-14, Revision 00, dated December 4, 2014. 
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4 
months.

(h) Corrective Actions for the Inspections Required by Paragraph (g) of 
This AD

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any discrepancy is found on the left or right outboard MLG support 
rib lower flange: Before further flight, replace all affected 
fasteners on the affected side(s), in accordance with Airbus AOT-
A57N006-14, Revision 00, dated December 4, 2014. Replacement of 
fasteners on an airplane does not constitute terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Other FAA Provisions

    (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) 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) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0270R1, dated December 15, 2014, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0087.

(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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
February 6, 2015 (80 FR 3155, January 22, 2015).
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A57N006-14, Revision 00, 
dated December 4, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 January 30, 2015.
Jeffrey E.Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02407 Filed 2-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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