Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 49 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14409-14411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04998]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0713; Product Identifier 2019-NM-116-AD; Amendment 
39-19855; AD 2020-04-18]
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 A330-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports 
indicating premature aging of certain chemical oxygen generators. This 
AD requires repetitively removing the affected chemical oxygen 
generators and replacing them with serviceable parts, as specified in a 
European Union 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 April 16, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 16, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, 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 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0713.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0713; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0140, dated June 12, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0140'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes.
    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 
A330-941 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 9, 2019 (84 FR 54046). The NPRM was prompted by reports 
indicating premature aging of certain chemical oxygen generators. The 
NPRM proposed to require repetitively removing the affected chemical 
oxygen generators and replacing them with serviceable parts.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address premature aging of chemical 
oxygen generators. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the 
generator failing to deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly 
resulting in injury to airplane occupants. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Comments

    The FAA 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.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International, expressed support 
for the NPRM.

Request To Revise the Proposed AD To Apply to All Affected Components 
Regardless of Airplane Model

    Delta Air Lines (DAL) requested that the proposed AD be revised to 
be applicable to all B/E Aerospace oxygen generators having part number 
117042-XX, regardless of the airplanes on which

[[Page 14410]]

they are installed. DAL observed that three previous ADs, AD 2016-16-
02, Amendment 39-18600 (81 FR 53255, August 12, 2016) (``AD 2016-16-
02''), AD 2016-03-07, Amendment 39-18394 (81 FR 12405, March 9, 2016) 
(``AD 2016-03-07''), and AD 2016-10-13, Amendment 39-18524 (81 FR 
33359, May 26, 2016) (``AD 2016-10-13''), affecting three different 
airplane models have been issued against these B/E Aerospace oxygen 
generators, which are used across multiple fleets, and that the same 
safety risk exists on all aircraft platforms on which it is installed.
    The FAA disagrees with the request to revise this AD as indicated. 
A component AD would require any operator with B/E Aerospace oxygen 
generators installed on its airplanes to inspect the entire fleet to 
determine if an affected part number is installed. By limiting the 
applicability of this AD to the airplane model on which the affected 
part numbers are known to be installed, the burden on operators is 
reduced.
    When the unsafe condition results from the installation of a 
particular component or appliance on an aircraft, and the aircraft 
model is known, the AD action is issued against the aircraft. The 
unsafe condition has been identified on B/E Aerospace oxygen generators 
installed on the Airbus SAS airplane models identified in AD 2016-16-
02, AD 2016-03-07, and AD 2016-10-13. The FAA is issuing this AD 
because the agency has determined that the unsafe condition also exists 
on Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. The FAA has not changed this AD 
in this regard.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for 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.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0140 describes procedures for repetitively removing 
the affected chemical oxygen generators and replacing them with 
serviceable parts. 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 2 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255...........................            $390             $645           $1,290
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Costs given are for replacement of one chemical oxygen generator for each repetitive replacement. The number
  of affected generators depends on airplane configuration and cannot be estimated properly.

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.

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):

2020-04-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19855; Docket No. FAA-2019-0713; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-116-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 16, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating premature aging of 
certain chemical oxygen generators. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address premature aging of chemical oxygen generators. This 
condition, if not corrected, could lead to the generator failing to 
deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to 
airplane occupants.

[[Page 14411]]

(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0140, dated June 12, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0140'').

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0140

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0140 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0140 does not apply 
to this AD.

(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 2019-0140 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 Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3229; email [email protected].

(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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0140, 
dated June 12, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0140, 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 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. This 
material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0713.
    (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, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-04998 Filed 3-11-20; 8:45 am]
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