Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 169 (Wednesday, August 31, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59837-59839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20706]



[[Page 59837]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5467; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-186-AD; 
Amendment 39-18630; AD 2016-17-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly 
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) 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 Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) 
access doors detaching from the airplane as a result of excessive 
vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This AD requires 
modification of the MLG access door by replacing seals in the MLG 
fairing and, for certain airplanes, adding an additional bolt. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a fracture in the MLG access door associated 
with excessive vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This 
condition could lead to MLG access door detachment and consequent 
impact of flight controls, resulting in reduced control of an airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective October 5, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 5, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact EADS-CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), 
Integrated Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de 
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; fax 
+34 91 585 55 05; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.eads.net. 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5467.

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-2016-
5467; 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 Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is 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 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone 425-227-1112; 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 Defense and 
Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2016 (81 FR 21766) 
(``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports of MLG access doors 
detaching from the airplane as a result of excessive vibration and 
metal fatigue in the attach fittings. The NPRM proposed to require 
modification of the MLG access door by replacing seals in the MLG 
fairing and, for certain airplanes, adding an additional bolt. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a fracture in the MLG access door associated 
with excessive vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This 
condition could lead to MLG access door detachment and consequent 
impact of flight controls, resulting in reduced control of an airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0225, dated November 18, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Defense 
and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    Occurrences of Main Landing Gear (MLG) Access Door detachment 
were reported. Subsequent investigation determined that the 
detachments of the MLG Door occurred during maneuvers performed at 
high speed and with high sideslip angle on airplanes not modified in 
accordance with the instructions EADS-CASA Service Bulletins (SBs) 
SB-235-52-0061 and SB-235-52-0068. Based on the investigation 
results, it was determined that the fracture mechanism was 
associated with excessive deformation that could produce scooping in 
the forward edge combined with an excessive vibration of the MLG 
Access Door.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to MLG Access Door 
detachment and consequent impact of flight controls, resulting in 
reduced control of an airplane and possible injury of persons on the 
ground.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EADS-CASA issued SB-
235-52-0061 and SB-235-52-0068 to provide modification instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of MLG Access Doors and prohibits installation of a MLG 
Access Door sealing part number (P/N) CAN36032R. This [EASA] AD also 
prohibits installation of not modified MLG Access Doors.

    Required actions include modification of the MLG access door by 
replacing seals in the MLG fairing and, for certain airplanes, adding 
an additional bolt. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2016-5467.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We have reviewed the following service information:
    <bullet> EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-52-0061, Revision 1, 
dated October 24, 2014. The service information describes procedures 
for modifying the MLG access door by installing an additional bolt.
    <bullet> EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-52-0068, Revision 2, 
dated January

[[Page 59838]]

9, 2015. The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
MLG access door by installing an improved fairing seal.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 30 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification........................  60 work-hours x $85 per         $12,684          $17,784         $533,520
                                       hour = $5,100.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2016-17-17 Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as 
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.): Amendment 39-18630; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5467; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-186-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 5, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly known 
as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN 235-200, and 
CN 235-300 airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of main landing gear (MLG) 
access doors detaching from the airplane as a result of excessive 
vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent a fracture in the MLG access door associated with 
excessive vibration and metal fatigue in the attach fittings. This 
condition could lead to MLG access door detachment and consequent 
impact of flight controls, resulting in reduced control of an 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modifications

    (1) For all airplanes: Within 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify each MLG access door by installing an improved 
fairing seal, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-52-0068, Revision 2, dated January 
9, 2015.
    (2) For all Model CN-235-200 airplanes: Concurrently with the 
action required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, modify each affected 
MLG access door by installing an additional bolt, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-
235-52-0061, Revision 1, dated October 24, 2014.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD, using EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-
235-52-0068, Revision 1, dated October 24, 2014; or SB-235-52-0068, 
dated July 15, 2002.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-
235-52-0061, dated October 31, 1996.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition and Limitation

    (1) For airplanes modified as specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, before the effective date of this 
AD: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
seal having part number CAN36032R on any MLG access door.
    (2) For airplanes not modified as specified in paragraphs (g)(1) 
and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, before the effective date of 
this AD: After accomplishing the actions required by paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, no person may install a 
seal having part number CAN36032R on any MLG access door.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, installation of an MLG 
access door on an airplane is allowed, provided the MLG access door 
is modified as required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, 
as applicable.

(j) 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

[[Page 59839]]

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: Shahram Daneshmandi, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. 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 Defense and Space 
S.A.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2015-0225, dated November 18, 2015, for related 
information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-5467.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-52-0061, Revision 1, Dated 
October 24, 2014.
    (ii) EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-52-0068, Revision 2, 
dated January 9, 2015.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS-
CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), Integrated 
Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de 
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; 
fax +34 91 585 55 05; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.eads.net. 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.
    (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 August 18, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20706 Filed 8-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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