Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56833-56835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22198]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0563; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00282-T; 
Amendment 39-21742; AD 2021-20-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report that during flight tests, the opening of the ram 
air outlet flaps was found to cause a disturbance of the air flow 
around the ram air turbine (RAT) when the landing gear (L/G) is 
extended. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual 
(AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to provide 
procedures for all engines failure and L/G gravity extension related to 
certain software, and installing Airbus temporary quick change (ATQC) 
V3 for the flight warning system (FWS) software (SW) standard (STD) 6/
2.0, 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 November 17, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 17, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; 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 material at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0563.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by

[[Page 56834]]

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0563; 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 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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, Large 
Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0061, dated March 5, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0061) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes.
    The FAA 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 A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on July 14, 2021 (86 FR 37087). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report that during flight tests, the opening of the ram air outlet 
flaps was found to cause a disturbance of the air flow around the RAT 
when the L/G is extended. The NPRM proposed to require revising the 
existing AFM and applicable corresponding operational procedures to 
provide procedures for all engines failure and L/G gravity extension 
related to certain software, and installing ATQC V3 for the FWS SW STD 
6/2.0, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0061.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address a non-negligible effect on 
the overall performance of the RAT in case of total engine flame out 
(TEFO) or electrical emergency configuration combined with the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) running, which could lead to partial or 
total loss of RAT electrical power generation when the RAT is deployed 
in an emergency condition with the landing gear extended, and possibly 
result in reduced control of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0061 describes procedures for revising the existing 
AFM to provide procedures for all engines failure and L/G gravity 
extension related to certain software, and installing ATQC V3 for the 
FWS SW STD 6/2.0. 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 17 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...........................              $0             $255           $4,335
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected operators. 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.

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.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 56835]]

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:

2021-20-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21742; Docket No. FAA-2021-0563; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00282-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 17, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0061, dated March 5, 
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0061).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that during flight tests, the 
opening of the ram air outlet flaps was found to cause a disturbance 
of the air flow around the ram air turbine (RAT) when the landing 
gear is extended. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a non-
negligible effect on the overall performance of the RAT in case of 
total engine flame out (TEFO) or electrical emergency configuration 
combined with the auxiliary power unit (APU) running, which could 
lead to partial or total loss of RAT electrical power generation 
when the RAT is deployed in an emergency condition with the landing 
gear extended, and possibly result in reduced 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 2021-0061.

 (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0061

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0061 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0061 specifies to 
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as those 
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations.
    (3) Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0061 specifies amending ``the 
applicable AFM [airplane flight manual],'' however this AD requires 
amending ``the applicable existing AFM and applicable corresponding 
operational procedures.''
    (4) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0061 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, 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 
responsible Flight Standards 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, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation 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): Except as required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3225; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2021-0061, 
dated March 5, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0061, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 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, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 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 September 15, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22198 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
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