Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36236-36237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11705]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0434; Product Identifier 91-NM-255-AD; Amendment 
39-22450; AD 92-02-14 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; removal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92-02-14, 
which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A320 series airplanes. AD 92-
02-14 required inspection for correct installation of the flexible 
control cables on the overwing emergency escape slides. The FAA issued 
AD 92-02-14 to prevent failure of the overwing emergency escape slides 
to deploy, which would compromise use of the exit during an emergency. 
Since the FAA issued AD 92-02-14, no new occurrences of incorrect cable 
installations have been reported, and existing maintenance activities 
are adequate to prevent new occurrences. Therefore, the FAA has 
determined that AD 92-02-14 is no longer necessary. Accordingly, AD 92-
02-14 is removed.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 2, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0434; 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, 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, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone 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 removing AD 92-02-14, Amendment 39-8150 (57 FR 5375, 
February 14, 1992) (AD 92-02-14). AD 92-02-14 applied to certain Airbus 
SAS Model A320 series airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 24, 2023 (88 FR 17751). The NPRM was prompted by the 
determination that AD 92-02-14 is no longer necessary. AD 92-02-14 
required inspection for correct installation of the flexible control 
cables on the overwing emergency escape slides. The FAA issued AD 92-
02-14 to prevent failure of the overwing emergency escape slides to 
deploy, which would compromise use of the exit during an emergency. 
Since the FAA issued AD 92-02-14, no new occurrences of incorrect cable 
installations have been reported, and existing maintenance activities 
are adequate to prevent new occurrences. The NPRM proposed to remove AD 
92-02-14. The FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 92-02-14.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), in support of the NPRM without change.

[[Page 36237]]

Justification for Determination of the Effective Date

    Section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than 
thirty days, upon a finding of ``good cause.'' Since the FAA issued AD 
92-02-14, no new occurrences of incorrect cable installations have been 
reported, and existing maintenance activities are adequate to prevent 
new occurrences. Therefore, the FAA is issuing this AD to remove AD 92-
02-14, and the FAA did not receive any adverse comments or useful 
information about this AD from U.S. operators that necessitates waiting 
30 days for relief from this requirement. Accordingly, 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.

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.
    This AD removes all actions of AD 92-02-14. Therefore, the 
requirements of AD 92-02-14 are terminated.

Related Costs of Compliance

    This AD adds no costs. This AD removes AD 92-02-14 from 14 CFR part 
39; therefore, operators are no longer required to show compliance with 
that 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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA determined that 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) 92-02-14, Amendment 39-8150 
(57 FR 5375, February 14, 1992), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

92-02-14 R1 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22450; Docket No. FAA-2023-
0434; Product Identifier 92-NM-155-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 2, 2023.

(b) Affected AD

    This AD replaces AD 92-02-14, Amendment 39-8150 (57 FR 5375, 
February 14, 1992).

(c) Applicability

    This action applies to Airbus Model A320-211, A320-212, and 
A320-231 airplanes, certificated in any category, manufacturer 
serial numbers 002 through 162 inclusive, 167, and 171 through 174 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Terminating Action

    This AD terminates all requirements of AD 92-02-14.

(f) Related Information

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

(g) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on May 26, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11705 Filed 6-1-23; 8:45 am]
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