Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47047-47053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19854]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0390; Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-AD; Amendment 
39-19397; AD 2018-18-18]
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 all 
Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
revision of an airworthiness limitation items (ALI) document. 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 October 23, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

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-
0390; 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 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, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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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 SAS Model A300 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 11, 
2018 (83 FR 21955). The NPRM was prompted by a revision of an ALI 
document. 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 reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane and possible loss of 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 AD 
2017-0145, dated August 31, 2017 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Some airworthiness limitations previously defined in A300 ALS 
[Airworthiness Limitations Section] Part 1 have been removed from 
that document and should normally be included in an ALS Part 4. 
Airbus does not plan to issue an ALS Part 4 for A300 aeroplanes.
    Nevertheless, failure to comply with these airworthiness 
limitations could result in an unsafe condition.
    For the reason described above, it has been decided to require 
the application of these airworthiness limitations through a 
separate AD.
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2013-0210 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2014-16-13, Amendment 39-17937 (79 FR 51083, August 27, 2014) 
(``AD 2014-16-13'')] to require implementation of airworthiness 
limitations applicable to main landing gear (MLG) barrel assembly, 
retraction actuator assembly, linkage assembly and flanged duct, 
which were previously defined in Revision 00 of A300 ALS Part 1 but 
removed from Revision 01 of A300 ALS Part 1, adding those limits as 
an Appendix to the AD.
    Since EASA AD 2013-0210 was issued, improvement of safe life 
component selection resulted, among others, in removal of 15 nose 
landing gear (NLG) parts from Revision 02 of A300 ALS Part 1.
    Consequently, this [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 
2013-0210, which is superseded, and requires, in addition to the 
implementation of airworthiness limitations already contained in 
EASA AD 2013-0210, the implementation of airworthiness limitations 
applicable to NLG barrel assembly and shock absorber assembly, 
previously contained in Revision 01 of A300 ALS Part 1, as specified 
in Appendix 1 of this AD.

    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-
0390.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Supersede AD 2014-16-13

    Airbus questioned the need to keep AD 2014-16-13 and whether the 
proposed AD should instead supersede AD 2014-16-13. Airbus noted that 
the proposed AD lists all of the ALIs in EASA AD 2017-0145, dated 
August 31, 2017, not just the ALIs that have been updated since we 
issued AD 2014-16-13. We infer that Airbus wanted the proposed AD 
changed to a supersedure AD.
    We disagree with the request to change this AD to a supersedure AD. 
To address the unsafe condition, we chose to match EASA AD 2017-0145, 
dated August 31, 2017, and include the same ALIs. Because 
accomplishment of the requirements of this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2014-16-13, a supersedure is not necessary. We have 
not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Release Related ADs at the Same Time

    Airbus requested that we release this final rule at the same time 
as the following related ADs to provide clarity to operators. All four 
pending ADs are related to the same removal of 15 nose landing gear 
parts from ALS Part 1, on different airplane models.
    <bullet> Docket No. FAA-2018-0364, Product Identifier 2017-NM-154-
AD (EASA AD 2017-0204, dated October 12, 2017).
    <bullet> Docket No. FAA-2018-0365, Product Identifier 2017-NM-155-
AD (EASA AD 2017-0203, dated October 12, 2017).
    <bullet> Docket No. FAA-2018-0396, Product Identifier 2017-NM-156-
AD (EASA AD 2017-0202, dated October 12, 2017).
    We agree with the request insofar as we can control the publication 
schedule. While we cannot ensure that all four will be published on the 
same date, we will coordinate with the Office of the Federal Register 
(OFR) and attempt to issue all four final rules at the same time.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and 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.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 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 we 
recognize that this number 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

[[Page 47049]]

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):

2018-18-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19397; Docket No. FAA-2018-0390; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2014-16-13, Amendment 39-17937 (79 FR 51083, 
August 27, 2014) (``AD 2014-16-13'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, 
B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(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 
limitation items (ALI) document. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane and possible loss of 
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 the 
safe life limits included in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. 
The initial compliance time for the replacements is prior to the 
applicable life limits specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of 
this AD, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later. The term ``FH'' in figure 1 to paragraph (g) 
of this AD means total flight hours. The term ``LDG'' in figure 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD means total airplane landings.
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(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 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 2014-16-13

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2014-16-13.

(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 AD 2017-0145, dated August 31, 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-2018-0390.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3225.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 24, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19854 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
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