Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44900-44903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20113]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0248; Product Identifier 2016-NM-088-AD; Amendment 
39-19054; AD 2017-19-24]
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) 2014-26-10, 
which applied to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. AD 2014-26-10 required revising the maintenance or 
inspection program to incorporate 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 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 November 1, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 1, 
2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
February 25, 2015 (80 FR 2813, January 21, 2015).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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;

[[Page 44901]]

email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 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-2017-
0248.

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-2017-
0248; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 to supersede AD 2014-26-10, Amendment 39-18061 (80 FR 2813, 
January 21, 2015) (``AD 2014-26-10''). AD 2014-26-10 applied to all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2017 (82 FR 17770). 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, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or revised airworthiness limitation 
requirements. The NPRM also proposed to remove airplanes from the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to mitigate the risks associated 
with aging effects of airplane systems. Such aging effects could change 
the characteristics of the systems leading to an increased potential 
for failure, which could result in failure of certain life-limited 
parts, and reduced structural integrity or reduced controllability of 
the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2016-0093, dated May 13, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus A320 family aeroplanes 
are currently defined and published in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. The airworthiness 
limitations applicable to the System Equipment Maintenance 
Requirements, which are approved by [European Aviation Safety 
Agency] EASA, are specified in ALS Part 4.
    The instructions contained in the ALS Part 4 have been 
identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness. Failure 
to comply with these instructions could result in an unsafe 
condition.
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2013-0146 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2014-26-10] to require accomplishment of all maintenance actions 
as described in ALS Part 4 at Revision 01. The new ALS Part 4 
Revision 03 (hereafter referred to as `the ALS' in this AD) includes 
new and/or more restrictive requirements. ALS Part 4 Revision 03, 
issue 02, has been released to include editorial changes.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0146, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS.

    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-2017-
0248.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received. Camp Systems 
International, Daniel Systems Inc., and United Airlines supported the 
NPRM.

Request To Incorporate Current ALS Revision

    American Airlines (AAL) asked that a provision be incorporated into 
the proposed AD to approve use of Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 
4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR)'', Revision 05, 
dated April 6, 2017 (``ALS Part 4, Revision 05''), as an additional 
means of compliance with the maintenance or inspection program. AAL 
stated that ALS Part 4, Revision 05 is the latest revision level for 
ALS Part 4, and approving it would potentially alleviate a future 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) request.
    We acknowledge the commenter's concern. We have issued global AMOCs 
to AD 2014-26-10, which allow all operators of U.S.-registered 
airplanes to use Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4, ``System 
Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR)'', Revision 04, dated July 6, 
2016, and Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4, ``System Equipment 
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR)'', Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017. 
These AMOCs are included in paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of this AD, which 
states that AMOCs approved previously for AD 2014-26-10 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD. In 
addition, these AMOCs are also applicable to the revision required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD. Therefore, we have added paragraph 
(k)(1)(iii) to this AD to specify the previous AMOCs that are approved 
for the provisions of paragraph (i) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and 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.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    Airbus has issued Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4, ``System 
Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 03 at Issue 02, 
dated January 22, 2016. This service information describes preventive 
maintenance requirements and includes updated inspections and intervals 
to be incorporated into the maintenance or inspection program. 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 1,032 airplanes of U.S. registry.

[[Page 44902]]

    The actions required by AD 2014-26-10, 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 2014-26-10 is $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it would 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 $87,720, 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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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 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 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) 
2014-26-10, Amendment 39-18061 (80 FR 2813, January 21, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-19-24 Airbus: Amendment 39-19054; Docket No. FAA-2017-0248; 
Product Identifier 2016-NM-088-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 1, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-26-10, Amendment 39-18061 (80 FR 2813, 
January 21, 2015) (``AD 2014-26-10'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD; certificated in any 
category; with an original certificate of airworthiness or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before December 21, 
2015.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -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 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(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 mitigate the risks associated 
with aging effects of airplane systems. Such aging effects could 
change the characteristics of the systems leading to an increased 
potential for failure, which could result in failure of certain 
life-limited parts, and reduced structural integrity or reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Requirement: Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, 
With New Reference To Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2014-26-10, with new reference to terminating action. Within 30 days 
after February 25, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2014-26-10): 
Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section, ALS Part 4, ``Aging Systems Maintenance,'' Revision 01, 
dated June 15, 2012. The initial compliance time for doing the 
actions is at the applicable time specified in Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section, ALS Part 4, ``Aging 
Systems Maintenance,'' Revision 01, dated June 15, 2012; or within 2 
weeks after revising the maintenance or inspection program; 
whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this 
paragraph.

(h) Retained Requirement: No Alternative Actions or Intervals, With New 
Paragraph Reference

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2014-26-10, with a new paragraph reference. Except as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, after accomplishment of the revision 
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 (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of 
this AD.

(i) New Requirement: Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' 
Revision 03 at Issue 02, dated January 22, 2016. The initial 
compliance time for doing the actions is at the applicable time 
specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section, ALS Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements 
(SEMR),'' Revision 03 at Issue 02, dated January 22, 2016; or within 
2 weeks after revising the maintenance or inspection program; 
whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the actions specified in this 
paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

[[Page 44903]]

(j) New Provision: No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the action required by paragraph (i) of this AD has been 
done, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be 
used unless the actions 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, Transport Standards Branch, 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, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone: 425-227-1405; fax: 425-227-1149. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2014-26-10 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (iii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2014-26-10, which are 
included in the AMOC letters specified in paragraphs (k)(1)(iii)(A) 
and (k)(1)(iii)(B), are approved as AMOCs for the provisions of 
paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (A) AMOC letter ANM-116-17-002R1, dated November 14, 2016.
    (B) AMOC letter ANM-116-17-323, dated June 12, 2017.
    (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 Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0093, dated May 13, 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-2017-0248.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 
425-227-1405; fax: 425-227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].

(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 
November 1, 2017.
    (i) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' 
Revision 03 at Issue 02, dated January 22, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
February 25, 2015 (80 FR 2813, January 21, 2015).
    (i) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section, ALS Part 4, ``Aging Systems Maintenance,'' Revision 01, 
dated June 15, 2012. 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, 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 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 September 14, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20113 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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