Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61963-61966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22320]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1249; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01159-T; 
Amendment 39-22203; AD 2022-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded escape 
slide release during flight due to a blockage of one of the system 
venting features. This AD requires modification of affected reservoirs, 
and limits the installation of affected reservoirs, 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 becomes effective October 28, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 28, 
2022.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 28, 2022.

[[Page 61964]]


ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1249; 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 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    <bullet> For EASA material incorporated by reference in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> For Safran service information identified in this final 
rule, contact Safran Aerosystems Evacuation, 1747 State Route 34, Wall 
Township, NJ 07727-3935; telephone 732-681-3527; website safran-group.com/companies/safran-aerosystems-evacuation.
    <bullet> You may view this service information 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manuel F. Hernandez, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 562-627-5256; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1249; Project Identifier MCAI-
2022-01159-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Manuel 
F Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone 562-627-5256; email [email protected]. Any commentary 
that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will 
be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0176, dated August 24, 2022, to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, -
252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. The MCAI states an 
occurrence has been reported of an un-commanded door 3 escape slide 
release during flight. An accumulation of gas, leaking from the 
reservoir regulator valve, initiated the slide enclosure door panel 
release and liberation of the slide in a non-inflated condition. 
Further investigation also determined that the most probable root cause 
of both panel and slide inflatable assembly release in flight is the 
blockage of one of the system venting features. Results from the 
preliminary investigation, however, show that the reservoir regulator 
valve outlet port orifice was unable to function properly with the 
protective cover installed, resulting in venting malfunction. This 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to deployment in 
flight of a non-inflated slide, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1249.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0176 specifies procedures to modify affected 
reservoirs by removing the orifice protective cover. EASA AD 2022-0176 
also limits the installation of affected parts under certain 
conditions.
    Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-37, dated August 1, 2022; and 
Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-38, dated August 1, 2022; specify 
procedures for modifying the reservoir regulator valve outlet port 
orifice and identifies affected serial numbers. These documents are 
distinct since they apply to different part/serial numbers.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
described above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other products of the same type design.

Requirements of This AD

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2022-0176 described previously, except for any differences identified 
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to

[[Page 61965]]

use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of 
information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. 
The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. 
As a result, EASA AD 2022-0176 is incorporated by reference in this AD. 
This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2022-0176 in its entirety 
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that 
are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2022-
0176 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. 
For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions 
and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not 
limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance 
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2022-0176. Service information required by EASA AD 
2022-0176 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1249 after this AD is published.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final 
action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking 
then.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because a malfunctioning reservoir regulator valve outlet port orifice 
could result in a venting malfunction, and lead to deployment in flight 
of a non-inflated slide, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 127 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
                Labor cost                    Parts cost        product            Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........              $0            $170  Up to $21,590.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-21-04 Airbus SAS Airplanes: Amendment 39-22203; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1249; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01159-T.

[[Page 61966]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 28, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded door 3 
escape slide release during flight due to a blockage of one of the 
system venting features. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a 
malfunctioning reservoir regulator valve outlet port orifice, which 
could result in a venting malfunction and lead to deployment in 
flight of a non-inflated slide, possibly resulting 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0176, dated August 24, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0176).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0176

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0176 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0176 defines an affected part, for this 
AD, an affected part is defined as a reservoir having a part number 
as specified in EASA AD 2022-0176 and a serial number identified in 
Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-37, dated August 1, 2022, or 
Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-38, dated August 1, 2022.

 (i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
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 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, 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 referenced 
in EASA AD 2022-0176 that contains paragraphs that are labeled as 
RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under 
an RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any 
paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are 
not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in 
paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions 
identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an 
airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Manuel F. Hernandez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 562-627-5256; 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 2022-0176, 
dated August 24, 2022.
    (ii) Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-37, dated August 1, 
2022.
    (iii) Safran Service Bulletin A321 005-25-38, dated August 1, 
2022.
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0176, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) For Safran service information, contact Safran Aerosystems 
Evacuation, 1747 State Route 34, Wall Township, NJ 07727-3935; 
telephone 732-681-3527; website safran-group.com/companies/safran-aerosystems-evacuation.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 29, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22320 Filed 10-11-22; 11:15 am]
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