Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 43 (Monday, March 6, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13662-13665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04465]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1575; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00859-T; 
Amendment 39-22351; AD 2023-04-04]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-15-
20, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes. AD 2020-15-20 required revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a 
determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-15-
20 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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 10, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 10, 
2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 2, 2020 (85 FR 53156, August 28, 2020).

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1575; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket

[[Page 13663]]

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 material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1575.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large 
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-228-7317; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-15-20, Amendment 39-21183 (85 FR 
53156, August 28, 2020) (AD 2020-15-20). AD 2020-15-20 applied to 
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2020-15-20 
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA issued AD 2020-15-20 to address safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2022 (87 
FR 75525). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0126, dated June 28, 2022, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union (EASA AD 2022-0126) (referred to after this as the 
MCAI). The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations have been developed.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1575.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2020-15-20 and to require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 
2022-0126. The FAA is issuing this AD to address safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), 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 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. 
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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0126. This service information 
specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for 
certification maintenance requirements.
    This AD also requires EASA AD 2019-0288, dated November 28, 2019, 
which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation 
by reference as of October 2, 2020 (85 FR 53156, August 28, 2020).
    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 30 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2020-15-20 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection 
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined 
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane 
estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions 
to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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.

[[Page 13664]]

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) 2020-15-20, Amendment 39-21183 
(85 FR 53156, August 28, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2023-04-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22351; Docket No. FAA-2022-1575; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00859-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 10, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-15-20, Amendment 39-21183 (85 FR 53156, 
August 28, 2020) (AD 2020-15-20).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before May 2, 2022.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address safety-significant latent failures that 
would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or 
events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2020-15-20, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before August 20, 2019, 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 2019-0288, dated 
November 28, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0288). Accomplishing the revision of 
the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph 
(j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0288 With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(j) of AD 2020-15-20, With no changes.
    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2019-0288 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0288 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the ``maintenance tasks and associated 
thresholds and intervals'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 
2019-0288 within 90 days after October 2, 2020 (the effective date 
of AD 2020-15-20).
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0288 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0288, or 
within 90 days after October 2, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-
15-20).
    (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2019-0288 do not apply to this AD.
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0288 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals With a 
New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2020-15-20, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2019-0288.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0126, dated June 28, 2022 (EASA AD 
2022-0126). Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program 
revision required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0126

    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2022-0126 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0126 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable within 90 days after the effective date of this AD
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0126 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of 
EASA AD 2022-0126, or within 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2022-0126 do not apply to this AD.
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0126 does not apply 
to this AD.

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2022-0126.

(m) 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 (n) 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.

(n) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-
228-7317; email [email protected].

(o) 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.

[[Page 13665]]

    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 10, 2023.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0126, 
dated June 28, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 2, 2020 (85 FR 53156, August 28, 2020).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0288, 
dated November 28, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For EASA ADs 2022-0126 and 2019-0288, contact EASA, Konrad-
Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 
email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find these 
EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 February 15, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04465 Filed 3-3-23; 8:45 am]
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