Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48904-48906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22710]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0628; Product Identifier 2016-NM-207-AD; Amendment 
39-19079; AD 2017-21-08]
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 A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a revision 
of certain airworthiness limitation items (ALI) documents, which 
require more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection 
program to incorporate the maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 27, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 27, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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 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-
0628.

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-
0628; 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2125; 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 A310 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 
30, 2017 (82 FR 29789) (``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0217, dated November 2, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A310 
series airplanes. The MCAI states:


[[Page 48905]]


    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus A310 aeroplanes, which 
are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the 
Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) document(s). 
These instructions have been identified as mandatory actions for 
continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    EASA previously issued [EASA] AD 2014-0124 (later revised) 
[which includes actions for Airbus A310 series airplanes; those 
actions are included in FAA AD 2013-13-13, Amendment 39-17501 (79 FR 
48957, August 19, 2014) (``AD 2013-13-13'')], to require the actions 
as specified in Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitation Item (ALI) 
Document at issue 08.
    Since EASA AD 2014-0124R1 was issued, Airbus replaced ALI 
Document issue 08 with A310 ALS Part 2 Revision 01 and then 
published the A310 ALS Part 2 Variation 1.1 and Variation 1.2, to 
introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains part of 
the requirements of EASA AD 2014-0124R1, which will be superseded, 
and requires accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus A310 
ALS Part 2 Revision 01, ALS Part 2 Variation 1.1 and ALS Part 2 
Variation 1.2 (hereafter collectively referred to as `the ALS' in 
this [EASA] AD). The remaining requirements of EASA AD 2014-0124R1 
are retained in [EASA] AD 2016-0218, applicable to A300-600 
aeroplanes, published at the same time as this [EASA] AD.

    This AD does not supersede AD 2013-13-13. Rather, we have 
determined that a stand-alone AD is more appropriate to address the 
changes in the MCAI. This AD requires revising the maintenance or 
inspection program to incorporate the maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would 
then terminate all requirements of AD 2013-13-13.
    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-
0628.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. The commenter supported 
the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, 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

    Airbus has issued the following service information:
    <bullet> Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 
2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Revision 01, dated August 7, 2015.
    <bullet> Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 
2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.1, dated January 25, 2016.
    <bullet> Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 
2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.2, dated July 22, 2016.
    This service information describes airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the DT-ALIs. These documents are distinct because they 
contain different tasks at different revision levels. 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 8 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance or Inspection Program    1 work-hour x $85 per  None................             $85            $680
 Revision.                            hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 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.

[[Page 48906]]

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):

2017-21-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-19079; Docket No. FAA-2017-0628; 
Product Identifier 2016-NM-207-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 27, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2013-13-13, Amendment 39-17501 (79 FR 48957, 
August 19, 2014) (``AD 2013-13-13'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, 
-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any category, 
all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a revision of certain airworthiness 
limitation items (ALI) documents, which require more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of 
this AD. The initial compliance times for doing the tasks is at the 
time specified in the service information identified in paragraphs 
(g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD, or within 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (1) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, 
``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Revision 01, dated August 7, 2015.
    (2) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, 
``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.1, dated January 25, 2016.
    (3) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, 
``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.2, dated July 22, 2016.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and/or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD.

(i) Terminating Action for AD 2013-13-13

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2013-13-13 for that airplane only.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, 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 Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 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: 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 Airbus'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 2016-0217, dated November 2, 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-2017-0628.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149.

(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) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 2, 
``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Revision 01, dated August 7, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 
2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.1, dated January 25, 2016.
    (iii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 
2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Variation 1.2, dated July 22, 2016.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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 
Standards Branch, 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 11, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22710 Filed 10-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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