Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25898-25901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0490; Product Identifier 2018-NM-018-AD; Amendment 
39-19299; AD 2018-11-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection 
of the four retaining pins in the main landing gear support structure 
(MLGSS) trunnion block, left- and right-hand sides, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted 
by a determination that short retaining pins may have been installed at 
the incorrect location of the MLGSS forward pintle. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 20, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 20, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to  http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0490.

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-2018-
0490; or in person at the Docket Operations office 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 Operations office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-
3218.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2018-0008, dated January 10, 2018 (referred to 
after this as the

[[Page 25899]]

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A350-941 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Following an Airbus quality control review on the final assembly 
line, it was identified that short retaining pins may have 
inadvertently been installed at the incorrect location of the main 
landing gear support structure (MLGSS) forward pintle. On the A350, 
two short retaining pins are installed through the fuse pin carrier 
and four long retaining pins are installed through the trunnion 
block. These six retaining pins are to prevent rotation and 
migration of the fuse pins.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
premature failure of the retaining pin, subsequent fuse pin 
migration and disconnection, with consequent main landing gear 
collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury 
to the occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) A350-57-P011 to provide inspection 
instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time detailed inspection (DET) of the four retaining pins installed 
in the MLGSS trunnion block, both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) 
sides [for nonconforming (incorrect) pins, i.e., those having a gap 
between the retaining pin and the forward surface of the trunnion 
block], and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable 
[related investigative actions, i.e., a detailed inspection for 
damage or deformation of nonconforming pins and] corrective 
action(s) [including repairing or replacing damaged (cracked), 
deformed, or nonconforming retaining pins].

    You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0490.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A350-57-P011, dated May 17, 
2017. This service information describes procedures for a detailed 
inspection of the four retaining pins installed in the MLGSS trunnion 
block, left- and right-hand sides, and related investigative and 
corrective actions. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since none of the affected aircraft are currently on the U.S. 
Register, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this 
AD are unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0490; Product 
Identifier 2018-NM-018-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future, we provide the following cost estimates to comply with this AD:

                  Estimated Costs for Required Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510....              $0             $510
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
replacements that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these on-condition replacements:


                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Labor cost              Parts cost        Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 16 work-hours x $85 per  Up to $16,000..  Up to $17,360
 hour = Up to $1,360.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all known costs in our cost 
estimate.

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,

[[Page 25900]]

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.

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):

2018-11-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-19299; Docket No. FAA-2018-0490; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 20, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 0006 to 0040 
inclusive, except MSN 0025, 0032, 0033, 0036, 0038, and 0039.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that short retaining 
pins may have been installed at the incorrect location of the main 
landing gear support structure (MLGSS) forward pintle. We are 
issuing this AD to address incorrect retaining pin installations, 
which could lead to premature failure of the retaining pin and 
subsequent fuse pin migration and disconnection, and could 
ultimately lead to main landing gear collapse and possible damage to 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Detailed Inspection

    Before exceeding 1,880 flight cycles since first flight of the 
airplane, accomplish a detailed inspection for nonconformance 
(incorrect retaining pins, i.e., those having a gap between the 
retaining pin and the forward surface of the trunnion block) of the 
four retaining pins installed in the MLGSS trunnion block, left- and 
right-hand sides and related investigative actions, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A350-57-P011, dated May 17, 2017.

(h) Corrective Actions

    (1) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, any nonconforming retaining pin is found and that pin has damage 
(including cracks) or deformation: Before further flight, repair 
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.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, any nonconforming but undamaged and undeformed retaining pin is 
found: Before exceeding 1,880 flight cycles since first flight of 
the airplane, replace the nonconforming pin(s) with new conforming 
pins in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A350-57-P011, dated May 17, 2017.

(i) 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 (j)(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 EASA; or Airbus's DOA. 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information 
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any 
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. 
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0008, dated January 10, 
2018, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0490.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 
98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.

(k) 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.

[[Page 25901]]

    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P011, dated May 17, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on May 21, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11688 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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