Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19619-19621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07085]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1063; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00826-T; 
Amendment 39-21987; AD 2022-06-21]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-09-
09, which applied to certain Airbus Model A318 and A319 series 
airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes. AD 2018-09-09 required modifying the holes of the 
upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- 
and right-hand wings. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-09-09, additional 
affected configurations were identified and, for certain airplanes, it 
was determined that additional modification work and revised compliance 
times are necessary. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2018-09-09 
and adds airplanes, requires different compliance times for certain 
airplane configurations, and, for certain airplanes, requires 
additional modifications or reduces compliance times, 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 May 10, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 10, 
2022.

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

[[Page 19620]]

https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1063.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1063; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3223; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0167, dated July 14, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0167) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 
airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and 
-232 airplanes. Model A320-215 airplanes are not certificated by the 
FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this 
AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-09-09, Amendment 39-19266 (83 FR 
19925, May 7, 2018; corrected May 15, 2018 (83 FR 22354)) (AD 2018-09-
09). AD 2018-09-09 applied to certain Airbus Model A318 and A319 series 
airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 21, 2021 (86 FR 72195). The NPRM was prompted by a report 
indicating that additional affected configurations were identified to 
be subject to widespread fatigue damage and, for certain airplanes, it 
was determined that additional modification work (such as, for certain 
configurations, oversizing certain additional holes, replacing a 
certain fastener with a corrosion-resistant fastener, or cleat refit 
and sealant procedure) or revised compliance times are necessary. The 
NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2018-09-09 and add 
airplanes, require different compliance times for certain airplane 
configurations, and, for certain airplanes, require additional 
modifications or reduce compliance times, as specified in EASA AD 2021-
0167.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the 
stringer attachment holes of the wings, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the wings. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
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 2021-0167 specifies procedures for modifying the stringer 
attachments at rib 2 through rib 7 of the left- and right-hand wings. 
The modification includes oversizing the holes, doing an eddy current 
inspection of the affected holes for damage, and repairing damage. EASA 
AD 2021-0167 also specifies additional work for airplanes on which the 
modification actions were accomplished using certain service 
information. 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 1,446 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Cost per
                Action                        Labor cost         Parts cost    product    Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2018-09-09..  125 work-hours x $85 per     $26,260     $36,885  $41,901,360 (1,136
                                        hour = $10,625.                                   airplanes).
New actions..........................  125 work-hours x $85 per       1,520      12,145  $17,561,670.
                                        hour = $10,625.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition actions or the additional work for 
certain previously modified airplanes, as specified in this AD.

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.

[[Page 19621]]

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:

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-09-09, Amendment 39-19266 
(83 FR 19925, May 7, 2018; corrected May 15, 2018 (83 FR 22354)); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2022-06-21 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21987; Docket No. FAA-2021-1063; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00826-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 10, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-09-09, Amendment 39-19266 (83 FR 19925, 
May 7, 2018; corrected May 15, 2018 (83 FR 22354)).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-
0167, dated July 14, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0167).
    (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, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that additional affected 
configurations were identified to be subject to widespread fatigue 
damage at certain stringer attachments and, for certain airplanes, 
it was determined that additional modification work is necessary. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the 
stringer attachment holes of the wings, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the wings.

(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 2021-0167.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0167

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0167 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0167 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 Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 206-231-3223; 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 2021-0167, 
dated July 14, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0167, 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 March 10, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07085 Filed 4-4-22; 8:45 am]
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