Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46372-46374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0506; Product Identifier 2018-NM-045-AD; Amendment 
39-19378; AD 2018-17-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 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 certain 
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the 
discovery of inadequate corrosion protection in certain areas of the 
horizontal stabilizer and the rear fuselage cone structure. This AD 
requires application of sealant and protective treatment on the 
affected areas of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear fuselage cone 
structure and, for certain airplanes, modification of the trimmable 
horizontal stabilizer (THS) torsion box and re-identification of the 
elevator. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 18, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 18, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 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 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-2018-0506.

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-
0506; 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 Docket Operations, 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.

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 
A350-941 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 
11, 2018 (83 FR 26882). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery of 
inadequate corrosion protection in certain areas of the horizontal 
stabilizer and the rear fuselage cone structure. The NPRM proposed to 
require application of sealant and protective treatment on the affected 
areas of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear fuselage cone structure 
and, for certain airplanes, modification of the THS torsion box and re-
identification of the elevator.
    We are issuing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of 
the horizontal stabilizer and the rear fuselage cone structure.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0036, dated February 7, 2018 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 
airplanes. The MCAI states:


[[Page 46373]]


    In some areas of the Horizontal Tail Plane (HTP) [horizontal 
stabilizer] and fuselage Section (S) 19 [rear fuselage cone 
structure], the interfay sealant for multimaterial joints (hybrid 
joints) was only applied on the surface in direct contact with 
aluminium parts and not between all surfaces of the joint parts. 
This situation does not ensure full barrier properties. To avoid any 
risk of water ingress in multi-material-stacks involving aluminium, 
it is necessary to apply interfay sealant between all assembled 
parts, even between parts made of corrosion resistant material. This 
ensures a double barrier in the joint and prevents subsequent 
potential galvanic corrosion on the aluminum holes on top of the 
single barrier already applied in aluminium parts.
    This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the structural 
integrity of the HTP and fuselage at S19.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus developed production 
mod [Modification] 106695 for fuselage at S19 and mod 107824 for HTP 
to improve protection against corrosion, and issued [Airbus] SB 
[Service Bulletin] A350-53-P029 (Airbus mod 110281) and [Airbus] SB 
A350-55-P003 (Airbus mod 107877 and mod 108494) to provide 
modification instructions for in-service pre-mod aeroplanes.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
application of sealant and protective treatment on the affected 
areas of the HTP and fuselage at S19 and, for certain aeroplanes, 
modification of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) torsion 
box [and re-identification of the elevator].

    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-
0506.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data 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 Service Bulletin A350-53-P029, dated November 
17, 2017. This service information describes procedures to apply 
sealant and protective treatment on the affected areas of the rear 
fuselage cone structure.
    Airbus SAS has issued Service Bulletin A350-55-P003, dated November 
6, 2017. This service information describes procedures to apply sealant 
and protective treatment on the affected areas of the horizontal 
stabilizer, modify the THS torsion box in zone 330 and 340, and re-
identify the elevator in zone 335 and 345.
    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 6 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                      Parts cost            Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 57 work-hours x $85 per hour =   Unavailable............  Up to $4,845...........  Up to $29,070.
 $4,845.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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, 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:


[[Page 46374]]


    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):

2018-17-24 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19378; Docket No. FAA-2018-0506; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-045-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 18, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes 
certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers, 
except those on which Airbus Modification 106695 (or retrofit 
Modification 110281) and Modification 107824 (or retrofit 
Modification 107877 and retrofit Modification 108494) have been 
embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage; 
55, Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of inadequate corrosion 
protection in certain areas of the horizontal stabilizer and the 
rear fuselage cone structure. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer and the 
rear fuselage cone structure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 airplanes are those with 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) listed in Section 1.A., 
``Applicability'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P029, dated 
November 17, 2017.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, Group 2 airplanes are those with 
MSNs listed in Section 1.A., ``Applicability'' of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-55-P003, dated November 6, 2017.

(h) Modification

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes: Before exceeding 36 months since the 
date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate 
or date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, apply sealant and protective treatment 
on the affected areas of the rear fuselage cone structure, as 
defined in, and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P029, dated November 17, 2017.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes: Before exceeding 36 months since the 
date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate 
or date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness, or within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish concurrently the actions 
specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-55-P003, dated November 6, 2017.
    (i) Apply sealant and protective treatment on the affected areas 
of the horizontal stabilizer, as defined in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A350-55-P003, dated November 6, 2017.
    (ii) Modify the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) torsion 
box in zone 330 and 340, and re-identify the elevator in zone 335 
and 345.

(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 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.
    (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 AD 2018-0036, dated February 7, 2018, 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-2018-0506.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., 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.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P029, dated November 17, 
2017.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-55-P003, dated November 6, 
2017.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 
No: 2, 31700 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 August 17, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19749 Filed 9-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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