Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6315-6317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03268]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0554; Product Identifier 2018-NM-064-AD; Amendment 
39-19569; AD 2019-03-17]
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 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; 
Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitation item (ALI) 
document, which requires more restrictive maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the operator's 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 3, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 3, 
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://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-
0554.

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-
0554; 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 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320 series 
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -
232, -251N, -253N, and -271N airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on July 17, 2018 (83 FR 33159). The NPRM was prompted 
by a revision of an ALI document, which requires more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. The NPRM 
proposed to require revising the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations.
    We issued a supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series 
airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; 
and Model A321 series airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 8, 2018 (83 FR 55830). We issued the SNPRM to 
include revised restrictive requirements and add airplanes to the 
applicability.
    We are issuing this AD to address a safety-significant latent 
failure (that is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or 
more other specific failures or events, could result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0180, dated August 27, 2018 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series 
airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; 
and Model A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for the Airbus A320 family 
aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and 
published in the A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS [Airworthiness Limitations 
Section] document(s). The airworthiness limitations applicable to 
the Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), which are approved 
by EASA, are published in ALS Part 3.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition.
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2017-0168 to require accomplishment 
of all maintenance tasks as described in ALS Part 3 at Revision 05.

[[Page 6316]]

    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus published the ALS, 
including new and/or more restrictive requirements, and new A321 
models were certified and added to the Applicability of the ALS.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2017-0168, which is superseded, expands the 
Applicability and requires accomplishment of the actions specified 
in the ALS.

    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-
0554.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. United 
Airlines indicated its support for the SNPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, 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 
SNPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMR), Revision 06, dated June 13, 2018. The service 
information describes maintenance instructions and airworthiness 
limitations, including updated inspections and intervals, to be 
incorporated into the operator's maintenance or inspection program. 
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 1,250 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the operator's 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):

2019-03-17 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19569; Docket No. FAA-2018-0554; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-064-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 3, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2017-25-04, Amendment 39-19118 (82 FR 58098, 
December 11, 2017) (``AD 2017-25-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the 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 June 13, 2018.
    (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, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, 
and -272NX airplanes.

(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 item (ALI) document, which requires more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to address a safety-significant latent failure (that 
is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events,

[[Page 6317]]

could result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.

(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 
operator's maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 06, dated June 13, 2018 
(``ALS Part 3, CMR, R6''). The initial compliance time for 
accomplishing the tasks specified in ALS Part 3, CMR, R6, is at the 
applicable time specified in ALS Part 3, CMR, R6, or within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(h) Terminating Actions for AD 2017-25-04

    Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
terminates all of the requirements of AD 2017-25-04.

(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the operator's maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, 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.

(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 approved previously for AD 2017-25-04, or AD 2014-22-
08, Amendment 39-18013 (79 FR 67042, November 12, 2014), that allow 
incorporation of ALS Part 3, CMR, R6, are considered 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.
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0180, dated August 27, 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-2018-0554.
    (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 Limitations Section 
(ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 
06, dated June 13, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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 February 14, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03268 Filed 2-26-19; 8:45 am]
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