Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39581-39583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16735]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 39581]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0168; Product Identifier 2017-NM-135-AD; Amendment 
39-19344; AD 2018-16-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-
111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness 
limitations document that specifies more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising 
the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
the specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 14, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
14, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 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 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-
0168.

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-
0168; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223.

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 certain Airbus SAS Model 
A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -112, -131, 
-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2018 (83 FR 13885). 
The NPRM was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitations 
document that specifies more restrictive maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. The NPRM proposed to require revising the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
    We are issuing this AD to address the risks associated with the 
effects of aging on airplane systems. Such effects could change system 
characteristics, leading to an increased potential for failure of 
certain life-limited parts, and reduced structural integrity or 
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 
Airworthiness Directive 2017-0170, dated September 7, 2017 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS 
Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes, and Model A321-111, -211, 
-212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    The System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR) for Airbus 
A320 family aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently 
defined and published in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4 document. These 
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued 
airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2016-0093 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2017-19-24, Amendment 39-19054 (82 FR 44900, September 27, 2017) 
(``AD 2017-19-24''),] to require accomplishment of all maintenance 
tasks as described in ALS Part 4 at Revision 03. ALS Part 4 Revision 
04 was not mandated because no significant changes were introduced 
with this Revision. The new ALS Part 4 Revision 05 (hereafter 
referred to as `the ALS' in this [EASA] AD) includes new and/or more 
restrictive requirements and extends the applicability to model 
A320-251N, A320-271N, A321-251N, A321-253N and A321-271N aeroplanes.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0093, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of all tasks as described 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-2018-
0168.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. United 
Airlines indicated that they had no objection to the NPRM.

Explanation of Changes to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of this AD to identify model 
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data 
sheet for the affected models.

[[Page 39582]]

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule 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 addressing 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 SAS has issued Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance 
Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017. 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 1,133 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this 
figure may vary from operator to operator. In the past, we have 
estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since 
operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for 
their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-operator 
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, we 
estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 
per work-hour).

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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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):

2018-16-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19344; Docket No. FAA-2018-0168; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-135-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 14, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2017-19-24, Amendment 39-19054 (82 FR 44900, 
September 27, 2017) (``AD 2017-19-24'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (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 April 6, 
2017.
    (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, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, 
and -271N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -253N, and-271N airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness 
limitations document that specifies more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD 
to mitigate the risks associated with the effects of aging on 
airplane systems. Such effects could change system characteristics, 
leading to an increased potential for failure of certain life-
limited parts, and reduced structural integrity or controllability 
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 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' 
Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017. The initial compliance time for 
doing the revised actions is at the applicable time specified in 
Airbus SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4, ``System Equipment 
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017.

[[Page 39583]]

(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 
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 2017-19-24

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2017-19-24.

(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 SAS'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 Airworthiness Directive 2017-0170, dated September 7, 
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-2018-0168.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3223.

(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 SAS A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements 
(SEMR),'' Revision 05, dated April 6, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 
No: 2, 31700 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, 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 July 23, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16735 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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