Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56167-56169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25253]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0690; Product Identifier 2017-NM-061-AD; Amendment 
39-19107; AD 2017-24-03]
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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-01-06, which 
applied to certain Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, 
A321-211, A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes. AD 2017-01-06 required 
inspection and replacement of certain tie rod assemblies installed on 
the hinged fairing assembly of the main landing gear (MLG). We issued 
AD 2017-01-06 to detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on 
the rod end threads of the tie rod assemblies. Since we issued AD 2017-
01-06, we have determined that although cadmium plating might be 
absent, the rod end threads of the tie rod assemblies can withstand the 
expected environmental conditions, therefore the unsafe condition, as 
initially determined, does not exist.

DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2018.

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; 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-
0690.

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-
0690; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday,

[[Page 56168]]

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 remove AD 2017-01-06, Amendment 39-18773 (82 FR 4773, 
January 17, 2017) (``AD 2017-01-06''). AD 2017-01-06 applied to certain 
Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-
213, and A321-231 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on July 17, 2017 (82 FR 32650). The NPRM was prompted by our 
determination that, although cadmium plating might be absent, the rod 
end threads of the tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing 
assembly of the MLG can withstand the expected environmental 
conditions, therefore the unsafe condition, as initially determined, 
does not exist. The NPRM proposed to remove AD 2017-01-06. We are 
issuing this AD to remove AD 2017-01-06.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0234-CN, dated April 28, 2017 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to cancel EASA AD 2015-0234-CN, which applied to certain 
Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-
213, and A321-231 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A production quality issue was identified concerning tie rod 
assemblies, having [a] Part Number starting with D52840212000 or 
D52840212002, which are installed on the main landing gear (MLG) 
hinged fairing assembly. This quality issue affects the cadmium 
plating surface treatment which was inadvertently omitted from the 
rod end threads of the assembly. The absence of cadmium plating 
reduces the corrosion protection scheme.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, was initially 
assessed as leading to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end 
threads, possibly resulting in rod end failure, loss of a MLG door, 
and consequent injury to persons on ground.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus identified the affected 
MSN [manufacturer serial number] and issued SB A320-52-1167 to 
provide inspection instructions.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2015-0234 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2017-01-06], requiring a one-time inspection of the affected MLG 
hinged fairing tie rod assemblies, and, depending on findings, 
replacement of the affected tie rod assembly.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, tests performed by the tie rod 
assembly manufacturers determined that the assemblies, even without 
cadmium plating surface treatment on the rod end threads, can 
withstand the expected environmental conditions. The consequence is 
that the unsafe condition, as initially determined, does not exist.
    For the reasons described above, this Notice cancels EASA AD 
2015-0234.

    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-
0690.

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 Costs of Compliance

    AD 2017-01-06 affected about 20 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
estimated cost of the actions required by AD 2017-01-06 for U.S. 
operators was $3,400, or $170, per product. Removing AD 2017-01-06 
eliminates those costs.

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.
    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.

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 56169]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-01-06, Amendment 39-18773 (82 FR 4773, January 17, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-24-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-19107; Docket No. FAA-2017-0690; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-061-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This rescission is effective January 2, 2018.

(b) Affected AD

    This action removes AD 2017-01-06, Amendment 39-18773 (82 FR 
4773, January 17, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This action applies to Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-
214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-52-1167, dated August 6, 2015.

(d) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) AD 2015-0234-CN, dated April 28, 2017, 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-2017-0690.
    (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.

(e) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 15, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25253 Filed 11-27-17; 8:45 am]
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