Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1170-1172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31239]



[[Page 1170]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9057; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-055-AD; 
Amendment 39-18763; AD 2016-26-05]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-26-08, 
for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200F, and -300 series airplanes. AD 
2014-26-08 required revising the maintenance or inspection program to 
incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. 
This new AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or revised airworthiness limitation 
requirements. This new AD also removes certain airplanes from the 
applicability. This AD was prompted by a determination that more 
restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 9, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 9, 
2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of March 
2, 2015 (80 FR 3866, January 26, 2015).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 45 80; 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9057.

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-
9057; 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 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2014-26-08, Amendment 39-18059 (80 FR 3866, 
January 26, 2015) (``AD 2014-26-08''). AD 2014-26-08 applied to all 
Airbus Model A330-200, -200F, and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2016 (81 FR 62676) 
(``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that more 
restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance or 
inspection program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. The NPRM also proposed to remove certain 
airplanes from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
safety-significant latent failures that would, in combination with one 
or more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0066, dated April 6, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Model A330-200, -
200F, and -300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations are currently defined and 
published in the Airbus A330 and A340 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) documents.
    The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), 
which are approved by EASA, are specified in Airbus A330 and A340 
ALS Part 3. Failure to comply with these instructions could result 
in an unsafe condition.
    EASA issued AD 2013-0245 (A330 aeroplanes) [which corresponds to 
FAA AD 2014-26-08] and AD 2013-0021 (A340 aeroplanes) to require the 
actions as specified in Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 3 at Revision 
04 and Revision 02, respectively.
    Since those [EASA] ADs were issued, Airbus issued Revision 05 
and Revision 03, respectively, of Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 3, 
to introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0245 and [EASA] AD 2013-0021, which are 
superseded, and requires accomplishment of the actions specified in 
Airbus A330 ALS Part 3 Revision 05, or A340 ALS Part 3 Revision 03, 
as applicable * * *.

    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-
9057.

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 available 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 reviewed Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 
3--Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 
17, 2013; and Revision 05, dated October 19, 2015. The service 
information describes updated inspections and intervals to be 
incorporated into the maintenance or inspection program. These 
documents are distinct because each revision contains unique changes to 
be incorporated into the maintenance or inspection program.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties

[[Page 1171]]

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 104 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2014-26-08, and retained in this AD take 
about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions 
that are required by AD 2014-26-08 is $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it takes about 2 work-hours 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 $17,680, or $170 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-26-08, Amendment 39-18059 (80 FR 3866, January 26, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-26-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-18763; Docket No. FAA-2016-9057; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-055-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 9, 2017.

 (b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-26-08, Amendment 39-18059 (80 FR 3866, 
January 26, 2015) (``AD 2014-26-08'').

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original 
certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before October 19, 2015.

 (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Periodic 
inspections.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained: Revision of the Maintenance or Inspection Program, With 
No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2014-26-08, with no changes.
    (1) Within 90 days after March 2, 2015 (the effective date of AD 
2014-26-08): Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section ALS Part 3--Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 
04, dated August 27, 2013. Within the applicable compliance time 
defined in the ``Record of Revisions'' section of Airbus A330 
Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--Certification 
Maintenance Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 27, 2013, except 
as provided by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, accomplish all 
applicable maintenance tasks. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this 
paragraph.
    (2) Where paragraph 3 of the ``Record of Revisions'' section of 
Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 
27, 2013, specifies accomplishing the actions ``from 27 August 
2013,'' this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance 
time after March 2, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2014-26-08).

(h) Retained: No Alternative Inspections or Intervals, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 
2014-26-08, with no changes. After accomplishment of the action 
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, no alternative inspections 
or inspection intervals may be used, other than those specified in 
Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 
27, 2013, except as provided by paragraphs (g)(2) and (i) of this 
AD, unless the inspections or intervals are approved as an AMOC in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this 
AD.

(i) New: Revision of the Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 05, dated October 
19, 2015. Accomplishing the actions specified in this paragraph 
terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) New: No Alternative Inspections or Intervals

    After the action required by paragraph (i) of this AD has been 
done, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be 
used, other than those specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness 
Limitations Section ALS Part 3--Certification Maintenance 
Requirements, Revision 05, dated October 19, 2015, unless the 
inspections or intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with 
the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.

(k) 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

[[Page 1172]]

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: 
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0066, dated April 6, 2016, for 
related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2016-9057.

(m) 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 9, 2017.
    (i) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 05, dated October 
19, 2015. The revision level of this document is identified on only 
the title page and in the Revision Status and the Record of 
Revisions.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 2, 2015 (80 FR 3866, January 26, 2015).
    (i) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section ALS Part 3--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, Revision 04, dated August 
27, 2013. The revision level of this document is identified on only 
the title page and in the Record of Revisions. The revision date is 
not identified on the title page of this document.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.airbus.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 December 15, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-31239 Filed 1-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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