Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 233-235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28847]



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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 2 / Wednesday, January 3, 2024 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 233]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1711; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00093-T; 
Amendment 39-22639; AD 2023-25-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A318-112 airplanes; Model A319-115, -132, -133, -151N, 
-153N, and -171N airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-
112 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the fatigue life 
limit of the motoreductor installed on the on-board entrance stairs is 
not demonstrated for the complete airplane design service goal (DSG). 
This AD requires repetitive replacement of the motoreductor for onboard 
entrance stairs, and it limits 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 February 7, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1711; 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 material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-
231-3667; 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 
A318-112 airplanes; Model A319-115, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N 
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, 
-271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-112 airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2023 (88 FR 
55953). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0014, dated January 18, 2023, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union (EASA AD 2023-0014) (also referred to as the MCAI). 
The MCAI states that computations conducted on the Model A320 family 
program showed that the fatigue life limit of the motoreductor, 
installed on the on-board entrance stairs and acting as one of the two 
(stair) immobilization systems, is not demonstrated for the complete 
airplane design service goal (DSG). Therefore, a motoreductor failure 
could remain undetected during the period between the demonstrated life 
limit of the motoreductor and the airplane DSG (and subsequent extended 
service goal). A failed motoreductor, if not corrected, could lead to 
an airstairs deployment in flight, possibly resulting in loss of 
control of the airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive replacement of 
the motoreductor for onboard entrance stairs, and limit the 
installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified 
in EASA AD 2023-0014. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1711.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from a commenter, American Airlines 
(AAL). The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the 
FAA's response to each comment.

Request for Revision of the Applicability Paragraph

    AAL requested revising paragraph (c) of the proposed AD to narrow 
the scope of affected airplanes to only those that have had certain 
modifications accomplished for installing airstairs on the affected 
Airbus SAS model airplanes (identified as Group 1 airplanes in EASA AD 
2023-0014). AAL acknowledged that the FAA carried over EASA AD 2023-
0014's applicability statement on all serial numbers of the affected 
Airbus SAS models. AAL also noted that the replacement action is only 
necessary if the airplane is equipped with the airstairs.
    The FAA agrees that the replacement actions are only required for 
airplanes equipped with the affected airstairs (Group 1 airplanes). 
However, the FAA has determined it is necessary to retain the proposed 
applicability that is based on EASA's determination of the effectivity 
of EASA AD 2023-0014. Airplanes that have airstairs installed after the 
effective date would be subject to the requirements of this AD. 
Removing airplanes identified as Group 2 airplanes in EASA AD 2023-0014 
(airplanes not equipped with the

[[Page 234]]

affected airstairs) would remove this AD from those airplanes' records 
and possibly increase the risk that the affected airstair part could be 
installed during a later modification of the Group 2 airplane into a 
Group 1 airplane without the operator's awareness that the requirements 
of this AD would then apply to that airplane. A Group 2 airplane with 
on-board entrance stairs becomes a Group 1 airplane. Operators can 
check the airplane's maintenance records to monitor the Group status 
and determine the applicable requirements for that airplane. The FAA 
has not changed this AD as a result of this comment.

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 
comment 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. 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

    EASA AD 2023-0014 specifies procedures for repetitive replacement 
of the motoreductor for Airbus on-board entrance stairs, including a 
detailed inspection to determine the threshold for replacement. 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 will affect 954 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per hour =    $49,590 per replacement  Up to $50,270 per        Up to $47,957,580 per
 $680 per replacement cycle.            cycle.                   replacement cycle.       replacement cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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:

2023-25-12 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22639; Docket No. FAA-2023-1711; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00093-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 7, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A318-112 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-115, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, 
-271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-112 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the fatigue life limit of 
the motoreductor, installed on the on-board entrance stairs, is not 
demonstrated for the complete airplane design service goal (DSG). 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address a motoreductor failure, which 
could be undetected until DSG is reached. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in an airstairs deployment in flight, 
possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

(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 
2023-0014, dated January 18, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0014). Thereafter, 
before the accumulation of 39,400 total flight cycles on

[[Page 235]]

any motoreductor, part number 4255417, 4394656, or 4339747, replace 
it with a serviceable part as defined in EASA AD 2023-0014.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0014

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0014 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0014.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0014 
specifies 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 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 (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 Tim Dowling, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email 
[email protected].

(l) 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 2023-0014, 
dated January 18, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0014).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0014, 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 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.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html, or email [email protected].

    Issued on December 14, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28847 Filed 1-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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