Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62690-62693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26362]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0512; Product Identifier 2017-NM-170-AD; Amendment 
39-19513; AD 2018-25-02]
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 A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) 
indicating that the principal structural elements and certain life-
limited parts are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to 
incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 10, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 10, 
2019.

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://

[[Page 62691]]

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-
0512.

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-
0512; 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: 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, A320 and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 14, 2018 (83 FR 27724). The NPRM was prompted 
by an evaluation by the DAH indicating that the principal structural 
elements and certain life-limited parts are subject to WFD. The NPRM 
proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations.
    We are issuing this AD to address prevent fatigue cracking, 
accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, and 
WFD, which could result in reduced structural integrity 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 2017-0231, dated November 21, 2017 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model 
A318, A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for the A320 family aeroplanes are 
currently defined and published in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) document(s). The Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items are published in ALS Part 2, 
approved by EASA. The instructions contained in the ALS Part 2 have 
been identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to comply with these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2016-0239 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2017-22-03, Amendment 39-19083 (82 FR 49091, October 24, 2017) 
(``AD 2017-22-03'')] to require accomplishment of all maintenance 
tasks as described in ALS Part 2 at Revision 05, and [EASA] AD 2015-
0038 (later revised) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2016-09-06, 
Amendment 39-18504 (81 FR 26113, May 2, 2016) (``AD 2016-09-06'')] 
to require the implementation of reduced thresholds and intervals 
for the detailed inspection of the forward engine mount on both 
right hand and left hand sides of aeroplanes equipped with CFM56-5A/
5B engines, as specified in the ALS task 712111-01.
    Since those [EASA] ADs were issued, Airbus published Revision 06 
of the ALS Part 2, and variations up to 6.3, including new and/or 
more restrictive items, and new A320 family models were certified 
and added to the Applicability of the ALS. The ALS Part 2 Revision 
06 also includes the reduced threshold and intervals required by 
EASA AD 2015-0038R1.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0239 and EASA AD 2015-0038R1, which are 
superseded, requires accomplishment of all maintenance tasks as 
described in the ALS Part 2 Revision 06, and ALS Part 2 variations 
6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 (hereafter collectively referred to as ``the ALS'' 
in this [EASA] AD), and maintains specific compliance times for ALS 
task 572021-01-1 (Wide Spread Fatigue Damage related).

    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-
0512.

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 that comment.

Request To Use the Latest Service Information

    Lufthansa Technik requested that we use the latest service 
information in the NPRM. Lufthansa Technik stated that Airbus issued 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 07, dated 
June 13, 2018, which is the latest revision of the document.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. We, along with the EASA, 
have not determined that Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation 
Items (DT-ALI), Revision 07, dated June 13, 2018, is required for 
airplanes that do not include Revision 07 as part of the type design. 
In the future, should we determine that Revision 07 is required, we 
would consider issuing additional rulemaking at that time. However, 
operators may request approval to incorporate Revision 07 as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of 
paragraph (j) of this AD. We have not changed this AD in this regard.

Change to Language for Previous Approved AMOCs

    We have revised paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this AD to state that AMOCs 
previously approved for AD 2015-05-02, Amendment 39-18112 (80 FR 15152, 
March 23, 2015) (``AD 2015-05-02''), as applicable to ALS Part 2, are 
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD. In 
paragraphs (j)(1)(ii)(A), (j)(1)(ii)(B), (j)(1)(ii)(C), and 
(j)(1)(ii)(D) of the proposed AD, we had identified specific ALS 
documents. However, any previously approved AMOC for AD 2015-05-02, as 
applicable to ALS Part 2, is acceptable for the corresponding 
requirements of this AD.

Removal of Terminating Action for AD 2016-09-06

    We have removed paragraph (i)(1) of the proposed AD, which 
specified that accomplishing the action required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (j) of AD 
2016-09-06. However, we have determined that the actions required by 
this AD, do not terminate the requirements specified in AD 2016-09-06. 
The actions specified in paragraph (g) of AD 2016-09-06 were not 
incorporated into Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI), Revision 06, dated April 10, 2017, which is specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD. We have coordinated this issue with EASA.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this

[[Page 62692]]

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 has issued A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI), Revision 06, dated April 10, 2017. This service information 
describes damage tolerant airworthiness limitations.
    Airbus has also issued the following variations to A318/A319/A320/
A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 06, dated April 10, 
2017.
    <bullet> A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 
2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 
6.1, dated May 18, 2017. The service information describes ALI tasks 
applicable to certain Model A320-200 and A321-200 airplane 
configurations.
    <bullet> A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 
2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 
6.2, dated May 24, 2017. This service information describes ALI tasks 
applicable to Model A321-271N and -272N airplanes.
    <bullet> A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 
2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 
6.3, dated October 24, 2017. This service information describes ALI 
tasks associated with door stops for certain Model A318, A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes.
    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 1,180 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the existing 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):

2018-25-02 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19513; Docket No. FAA-2018-0512; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-170-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 10, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2017-22-03, Amendment 39-19083 (82 FR 49091, 
October 24, 2017) (``AD 2017-22-03'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (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 October 24, 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, -271N, and -272N airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder, which indicates that principal structural elements and 
certain life-limited parts are subject to widespread

[[Page 62693]]

fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue 
cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural 
elements, and WFD, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the airworthiness limitations (ALIs) specified in Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 06, dated 
April 10, 2017; and Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation 
Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.3, dated October 24, 2017. Except for 
ALIs identified in paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this AD, the 
initial compliance time for accomplishing the actions is at the 
applicable time identified in the ALIs specified in Airbus A318/
A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 06, dated 
April 10, 2017, and Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation 
Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.3, dated October 24, 2017; or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later, 
without exceeding the inspection intervals in the ALIs required by 
paragraph (i) of AD 2017-22-03.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.1, dated May 
18, 2017: Concurrently with the revision required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate the ALIs specified in Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.1, 
dated May 18, 2017. The initial compliance time for accomplishing 
the actions is at the applicable time identified in the ALIs 
specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI), Variation 6.1, dated May 18, 2017; or within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later, without exceeding 
the inspection intervals in the ALIs required by paragraph (i) of AD 
2017-22-03.
    (3) For airplanes identified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.2, dated May 
24, 2017: Concurrently with the revision required by paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate the ALIs specified in Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section Part 2--Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Variation 6.2, 
dated May 24, 2017. The initial compliance time for accomplishing 
the actions is at the applicable time identified in the ALIs 
specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI), Variation 6.2, dated May 24, 2017; or within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD; whichever occurs later, without exceeding 
the inspection intervals in the ALIs required by paragraph (i) of AD 
2017-22-03.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the existing 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 2017-22-03

    Accomplishing the applicable actions required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g)(2) and (i) 
of AD 2017-22-03.

(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].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs previously approved for AD 2015-05-02, Amendment 39-
18112 (80 FR 15152, March 23, 2015), as applicable to Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2, are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (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 2017-0231, dated November 21, 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-2018-0512.
    (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 A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section 
Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), 
Revision 06, dated April 10, 2017.
    (ii) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section 
Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), 
Variation 6.1, dated May 18, 2017.
    (iii) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI), Variation 6.2, dated May 24, 2017.
    (iv) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitation Section 
Part 2--Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), 
Variation 6.3, dated October 24, 2017.
    (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 November 23, 2018.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26362 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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