Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47042-47044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19857]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0365; Product Identifier 2017-NM-155-AD; Amendment 
39-19399; AD 2018-18-20]
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 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-
0365.

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-
0365; 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: 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 14, 2018 (83 FR 22222). The NPRM was prompted 
by a determination that 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 safety-significant latent 
failures that would, in combination with one or more other specific 
failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure 
condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel 
systems, or other critical systems.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0203, 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. 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) for the Airbus A310 and 
A300-600, which are approved by EASA, are specified in the Airbus 
A310 and A300-600 (including A300-600ST) ALS Part 3 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 [EASA] AD 2013-0072 [which corresponds to 
FAA AD 2015-08-06, Amendment 39-18142 (80 FR 23230, April 27, 2015) 
(``AD 2015-08-06'')] to require the implementation of the 
maintenance requirements and associated airworthiness limitations as 
specified in Airbus A310 and A300-600 ALS Part 3 documents at 
original issue.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations were approved 
by EASA. Consequently, Airbus published Revision 01 of the A310 ALS 
Part 3 and A300-600 ALS Part 3, compiling all ALS Part 3 changes 
approved since original issue.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2013-0072, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in A310 ALS Part 3 Revision 
01 and A300-600 ALS Part 3 Revision 01.

This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to 
incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. The unsafe condition involves safety-significant latent 
failures that would, in combination with one or more other specific 
failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure 
condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel 
systems, or other critical systems.
    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-
0365.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. FedEx Express 
indicated its support for the NPRM.

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 removal of the same 15 nose landing gear 
parts from ALS Part 1, on different airplane models.

[[Page 47043]]

    <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-2018-0396, Product Identifier 2017-NM-156-
AD (EASA AD 2017-0202, dated October 12, 2017).
    We agree with the request. 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) 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 change 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 A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 
01, dated August 28, 2017; and A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 
01, dated August 28, 2017. This service information describes mandatory 
maintenance tasks that operators must perform at specified intervals. 
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 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):

2018-18-20 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19399; Docket No. FAA-2018-0365; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-155-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2015-08-06, Amendment 39-18142 (80 FR 23230, 
April 27, 2015) (``AD 2015-08-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-
620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; 
Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant 
F airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 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 determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection 
systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems.

[[Page 47044]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated 
August 28, 2017; or Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 
01, dated August 28, 2017; as applicable. The initial compliance 
time for accomplishing the actions is at the applicable time 
specified in Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, 
dated August 28, 2017; or Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), 
Revision 01, 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 accomplishment of the revision 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 2015-08-06

    Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
terminates all requirements of AD 2015-08-06.

(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 2017-0203, 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-2018-0365.
    (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 
3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, dated 
August 28, 2017.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 01, 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 16, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19857 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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