Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76919-76922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27304]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1237; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00434-T; 
Amendment 39-22264; AD 2022-25-08]
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 all 
Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; 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 report that a Model A319 
airplane lost the right-hand front windshield in flight. Due to the 
design similarity, this condition can also exist or develop on Model 
A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive 
inspections and electrical test measurements (ETMs) of the affected 
parts, and applicable corrective actions, and prohibits the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 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 January 20, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 20, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1237; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For 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> 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

[[Page 76920]]

material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD 
docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1237.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large 
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 
216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    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 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; 
Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-
605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; 
Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -
221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on September 27, 2022 (87 FR 58463). The NPRM was 
prompted by AD 2022-0058, dated March 28, 2022, issued by EASA, which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union 
(EASA AD 2022-0058) (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI 
states that a Model A319 airplane lost the right-hand front windshield 
in flight, with consequent rapid flight deck depressurization, causing 
damage to flight deck items and systems, and significant increase of 
flightcrew workload. The investigations identified several contributing 
factors, including manufacturing variability, fretting between 
windshield components, water ingress, and electrical braids corrosion, 
which led to a thermal shock and overheat, damaging more than one 
windshield structural ply and impairing the structural integrity of the 
windshield. Due to the design similarity, this condition can also exist 
or develop on Model A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes. This 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the windshield, 
possibly result in injury to the flightcrew and in-flight 
depressurization of the airplane, and would significantly increase 
pilot workload.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive inspections and 
ETMs of the affected parts, and applicable corrective actions, and 
prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 
as specified in EASA AD 2022-0058. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address possible windshield failure. This condition, if not addressed, 
could possibly result in injury to the flightcrew and in-flight 
depressurization of the airplane, and would significantly increase 
pilot workload.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1237.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    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 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting 
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on this product. This AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0058 specifies procedures for repetitive detailed 
inspections and ETMs of the affected parts, and applicable corrective 
actions. The corrective actions include replacing any affected window 
with a serviceable window. EASA AD 2022-0058 also prohibits installing 
certain part 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 120 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340......              $0  $340 per inspection cycle.  $40,800 per inspection
                                                                                       cycle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
               Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,700...         $11,393         $13,093
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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

[[Page 76921]]

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:

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:

2022-25-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22264; Docket No. FAA-2022-1237; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00434-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 20, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and 
B4-203 airplanes.
    (2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
    (3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (5) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 56, Windows.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a Model A319 airplane lost 
the right-hand front windshield in flight. Due to the design 
similarity, this condition can also exist or develop on Model A300, 
A300-600, and A310 series airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address possible windshield failure. This condition, if not 
addressed, could possibly result in injury to the flightcrew and in-
flight depressurization of the airplane, and would significantly 
increase pilot workload.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0058, dated March 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0058).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0058

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0058 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Note 2 to paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0058 specifies 
that, ``operators may refer to the SB'' when a lack of data impairs 
the determination of the windshield age or utilization, for this AD 
replace those words with ``operators must refer to the SB''.
    (3) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2022-0058 refers to a 
``defect, as identified in the SB,'' for purposes of this AD, 
defects include manufacturing variability, fretting between 
windshield components, water ingress, and electrical braids 
corrosion.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0058.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although paragraphs (11) and (12) of EASA AD 2022-0058 and the 
service information referenced therein specify to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

(j) 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 (k) 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 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 (j)(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.

(k) Additional Information

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

(l) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0058, 
dated March 28, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0058, 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) 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.

[[Page 76922]]

    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 29, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-27304 Filed 12-15-22; 8:45 am]
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