Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41609-41611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17507]



[[Page 41609]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0192; Product Identifier 2019-NM-004-AD; Amendment 
39-19692; AD 2019-14-14]
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: The FAA is 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 a certain aircraft maintenance 
manual (AMM) task provided instructions for a visual inspection of 
composite and metallic vertical tailplane (VTP) attachment fittings, 
but the inspection method did not specify detection of delamination 
length, which could possibly extend beyond the defined allowable 
limits. This AD requires a review of airplane maintenance records, and, 
depending on the results, one-time detailed and ultrasonic inspections 
of the affected parts and applicable corrective actions, as specified 
in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 19, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
19, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, at Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material 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 in the AD docket on the internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0192.

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-2019-
0192; 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 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

    The FAA 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 April 15, 2019 (84 FR 15162). The NPRM was prompted 
by a determination that a certain AMM task provided instructions for a 
visual inspection of composite and metallic VTP attachment fittings, 
but the inspection method did not specify detection of delamination 
length, which could possibly extend beyond the defined allowable 
limits. The NPRM proposed to require a review of airplane maintenance 
records, and, depending on the results, one-time detailed and 
ultrasonic inspections of the affected parts and applicable corrective 
actions.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address VTP attachment fittings that 
could be delaminated beyond allowable limits, which, if not detected 
and corrected, could lead to failure of the VTP attachment fittings, 
possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.
    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0006, dated January 17, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0006'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A300-600 series airplanes and Model 
A310 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    AMM Task 55-36-11 provides instructions for visual inspection of 
composite and metallic VTP attachment fittings, and contains 
detailed information on damage limits. As defined in this AMM task, 
a composite part delamination is acceptable without further repair. 
However, as the inspection method included in the AMM does not allow 
detection of delamination length, this may consequently pass over 
the allowable limits defined.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the VTP attachment fittings, possibly resulting in loss 
of control of the aeroplane.
    Prompted by this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the 
applicable SB [service bulletin] to provide non-destructive test 
instructions, which allow detection of delaminated area(s) before 
exceeding the limits.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a 
review of maintenance records and, depending on the result, a one-
time detailed inspection (DET) of the affected parts, followed by an 
ultrasonic (US) inspection, and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    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-2019-
0192.

Comments

    The FAA 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 Clarify Corrective Action

    FedEx requested clarification regarding the corrective action 
specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0006. FedEx noted that 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0006 directs operators to contact Airbus 
for corrective action instructions if any discrepancies are detected 
during the inspections specified in EASA AD 2019-0006. FedEx 
recommended to revise the proposed AD to state that Airbus should only 
be contacted for repair instructions if damage or delamination is found 
outside of the allowable damage limits, as specified in structural 
repair manual (SRM) 55-30-00 during the inspection specified in 
paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0006. FedEx reasoned that clarifying the 
corrective action could allow operators to complete the repairs 
themselves for damage or delamination that are within the allowable 
damage limits, and that Airbus would only be

[[Page 41610]]

contacted if the damage or delamination is outside of the allowable 
damage limits. FedEx contended that this distinction could potentially 
reduce costs for operators and limit aircraft out-of-service time.
    The FAA partially agrees with request. Paragraph (h)(5) has been 
added to this AD, which provides clarification to paragraph (3) of EASA 
AD 2019-0006 by defining discrepancies as any damage or delamination 
found outside allowable damage limits, which are specified in the 
inspection tasks in the service information (including reference to SRM 
55-30-00).

Conclusion

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

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0006 describes procedures for a review of airplane 
maintenance records, one-time detailed and ultrasonic inspections of 
the affected parts, and applicable corrective actions. This material 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 133 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                          Estimated Costs for Required Actions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Labor cost                   Parts cost                   Cost per product                             Cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 21 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up                $0  Up to $1,785..................................  Up to $237,405.
 to $1,785.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the 
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified 
in this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs 
in the cost estimate.

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2019-14-14 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19692; FAA-2019-0192; Product 
Identifier 2019-NM-004-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 19, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified 
in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0006, dated 
January 17, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0006'').
    (1) 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, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes.
    (2) Airbus SAS Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -
324, and -325 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

[[Page 41611]]

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain aircraft 
maintenance manual task provided instructions for a visual 
inspection of composite and metallic vertical tailplane (VTP) 
attachment fittings, but the inspection method did not specify 
detection of delamination length, which could possibly extend beyond 
the defined allowable limits. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
this condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the VTP attachment fittings, possibly resulting in loss 
of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0006.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0006

    For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of 
this AD, the following exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0006 apply.
    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-006 refers to its effective date, this AD 
requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Replace the language in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0006 
that states ``it is determined that the maintenance records are 
incomplete,'' with ``maintenance records cannot be used to 
positively determine that the applicable maintenance actions have 
been accomplished.''
    (3) Replace the language in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0006 
that states ``concurrently,'' with ``before further flight.''
    (4) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0006 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0006 refers to 
``discrepancies'' found in the inspection, this AD defines 
discrepancies as any damage or delamination found outside of 
specified allowable damage limits.

(i) 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 (j) 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or 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): For any service information 
referenced in EASA AD 2019-0006 that contains RC procedures and 
tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC 
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.

(j) Related Information

    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.

(k) 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) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0006, dated 
January 17, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0006, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 6017; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this EASA AD 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. EASA AD 
2019-0006 may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0192.
    (5) You may view this material 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 July 23, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-17507 Filed 8-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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