Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84801-84803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24465]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1892; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00198-T; 
Amendment 39-22860; AD 2024-20-01]
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) 2023-07-13 
which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. 
AD 2023-07-13 required repetitive detailed inspections of the lower 
attachment studs on the AFT galley complex and, depending on findings, 
replacement of the lower attachment studs. This AD was prompted by a 
determination that additional airplanes are affected, and that all 
affected parts must be replaced with serviceable parts. This AD 
continues to require the actions in AD 2023-07-13, adds airplanes to 
the applicability, and requires the replacement of all affected parts; 
as specified in 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 November 29, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 29, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1892; 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 EASA material identified 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1892.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-
7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 84802]]

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-07-13, Amendment 39-22415 (88 FR 
31169, May 16, 2023) (AD 2023-07-13). AD 2023-07-13 applied to certain 
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-07-13 required 
repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs on the 
AFT galley complex for damage (i.e., stress marks, dents, bumps, 
corrosion, contamination, cracks, and scratches) and correct 
installation and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower 
attachment stud. The FAA issued AD 2023-07-13 to address broken lower 
attachment studs having Part Number (P/N) XP14-070-007800 on the AFT 
galley complex.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2024 (89 FR 
59709). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0078, dated March 20, 2024, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0078) (also referred to as the MCAI). 
The MCAI states that additional airplanes are affected, and that all 
lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800, on the AFT galley 
complex must be replaced. Broken lower attachment studs on the AFT 
galley complex, if not addressed, could lead to galley detachment, 
resulting in injury to airplane occupants and reduced capacity for 
emergency evacuation of the airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2023-07-13, add airplanes to the applicability, and require the 
replacement of all affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0078. 
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-2024-1892.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2024-0078 specifies repetitive detailed inspections for 
damaged and incorrectly installed lower attachment studs having P/N 
XP14-070-007800 on the AFT galley complex and, depending on findings, 
replacement of the lower attachment studs, and eventual replacement of 
all affected lower attachment studs having P/N XP14-070-007800. EASA AD 
2024-0078 specifies that replacement of all lower attachment studs 
having P/N XP14-070-007800 on all affected AFT galleys constitutes a 
terminating action for the repetitive detailed inspections.
    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 affects 13 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2023-07-13......  2 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $170          $2,210
                                            = $170.
New actions..............................  7 work-hours x $85 per hour           95          690           8,970
                                            = $595.
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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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-13, Amendment 39-22415 
(88 FR 31169, May 16, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:


[[Page 84803]]


2024-20-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22860; Docket No. FAA-2024-1892; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00198-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 29, 
2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2023-07-13, Amendment 39-22415 (88 FR 31169, 
May 16, 2023) (AD 2023-07-13).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0078, dated March 20, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0078).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of broken lower attachment studs 
having P/N XP14-070-007800 on the AFT galley complex. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address broken lower attachment studs having 
XP14-070-007800 on the AFT galley complex. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could lead to galley module detachment, resulting in 
injury to airplane occupants and reduced capacity for emergency 
evacuation 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, EASA AD 2024-0078.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0078

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0078 refers to ``04 October 2022 [the 
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0196],'' this AD requires using June 
20, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-07-13).
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0078 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of EASA AD 2024-0078 
specify actions ``in accordance with approved instructions issued by 
Airbus DOA,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``in 
accordance with approved instructions issued by the Manager, Large 
Aircraft Section, 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.''
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0078.

(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 manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
[email protected].
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2023-07-13 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0078 that are 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (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 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 material 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 Dat Le, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0078, 
dated March 20, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2024-0078, 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 ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 
Street, 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/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on September 23, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-24465 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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