Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47054-47056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19856]



[[Page 47054]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0396; Product Identifier 2017-NM-156-AD; Amendment 
39-19400; AD 2018-18-21]
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 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, 
and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model 
A300-600 series airplanes), and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. 
This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive 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.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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-
0396.

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-
0396; 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: 

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 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), and Model A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 8, 2018 (83 FR 20743). The NPRM was prompted by 
a determination that new or more restrictive maintenance requirements 
and airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to 
require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or more restrictive 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 AD 
2017-0202, dated October 12, 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 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes), and 
Model A310 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations for the 
Airbus A310, A300-600 and A300-600ST family aeroplanes, which are 
approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the Airbus 
A310 and A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. 
The System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR) for the Airbus 
A310 and A300-600, are specified in the Airbus A310 and Airbus A300-
600 (including A300-600ST) ALS Part 4 documents. These instructions 
have been identified as mandatory for continuing airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    EASA previously issued AD 2013-0075 [which corresponds to FAA AD 
2015-02-16, Amendment 39-18083 (80 FR 5028, January 30, 2015) (``AD 
2015-02-16'')] to require the implementation of the maintenance 
requirements and associated airworthiness limitations as specified 
in Airbus A310 and A300-600 ALS Part 4 documents at Revision 02.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations were approved 
by EASA. Consequently, Airbus published Revision 03 of A310 and 
A300-600 ALS Part 4 documents, compiling all ALS Part 4 changes 
approved since previous Revision 02.
    For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0075, which is superseded, and requires 
the implementation of the actions specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 
4 Revision 03 and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4 Revision 03.

    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-
0396.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment. FedEx Express stated that 
they had no objections to the proposed AD.

Request To Release Related ADs at the Same Time

    Airbus requested in docket numbers, FAA-2018-0390 and FAA-2018-0365 
that we release this final rule and the following related ADs at the 
same time to provide clarity to operators. All four pending ADs are 
related to the removal of the same 15 nose landing gear parts from ALS 
Part 1, on different airplane models.
    <bullet> Docket No. FAA-2018-0390, Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-
AD (EASA AD 2017-0145, dated August 31, 2017).
    <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

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(EASA AD 2017-0203, dated October 12, 2017).
    We agree with the commenter's request insofar as we can control the 
publication schedule. While we cannot ensure that all four final rules 
will be published on the same date, we will coordinate with the Office 
of the Federal Register (OFR) regarding publication of 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus SAS has issued A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 
03, dated August 28, 2017; and A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements 
(SEMR),'' Revision 03, dated August 28, 2017. This service information 
describes new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models. 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 127 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 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):

2018-18-21 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19400; Docket No. FAA-2018-0396; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-156-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2015-02-16, Amendment 39-18083 (80 FR 5028, 
January 30, 2015) (``AD 2015-02-16'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
    (2) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (3) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (5) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. 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.

[[Page 47056]]

(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 A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System 
Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 03, dated 
August 28, 2017; or A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' 
Revision 03, dated August 28, 2017; as applicable. The initial 
compliance time for doing the revised actions is at the applicable 
time specified in Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' 
Revision 03, dated August 28, 2017, or A300-600 Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, ``System Equipment Maintenance 
Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 03, dated August 28, 2017; as 
applicable; or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD; 
whichever occurs later.

(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 2015-02-16

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2015-02-16.

(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 2017-0202, dated October 12, 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-2018-0396.
    (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

    (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 A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
4, ``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 
03, dated August 28, 2017.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, 
``System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR),'' Revision 03, 
dated August 28, 2017.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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 August 24, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19856 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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