Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 97480-97482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28779]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2025; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00120-T; 
Amendment 39-22888; AD 2024-23-09]
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 A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by the discovery during a quality 
review performed during manufacturing, that a torque strip indicator 
(material ``Dykem'') had been applied on the orifice fitting on certain 
slides' inflation reservoirs' venting holes. This AD requires an 
inspection for discrepancies of affected parts (certain reservoirs 
having certain orifices) and replacement of discrepant affected parts, 
and prohibits installing affected parts, 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 13, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2025; 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-2024-2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy 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 
A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2024 (89 FR 67575). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0057, dated February 28, 2024, issued by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union (EASA AD 2024-0057) (also referred to as the MCAI). The 
MCAI states that during a quality review performed during 
manufacturing, a quality escape was identified on the Model A321NX door 
3 slide and offwing slide inflation reservoirs' venting holes, where a 
torque strip indicator (material ``Dykem'') had been applied on the 
orifice fitting (clogging the vent hole). This condition, in 
combination with a slide reservoir pressure loss, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to deployment in flight of a non-inflated slide, 
possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for 
discrepancies of affected parts (certain reservoirs having certain 
orifices) and replacement of discrepant affected parts, and prohibit 
installing affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0057. 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-2024-2025.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), and United Airlines, 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. 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 2024-0057 specifies a general visual inspection of affected 
parts (certain reservoirs having certain orifices) for discrepancies 
(the presence of ``Dykem'' material on the orifice fitting) and 
replacement of discrepant affected parts, and prohibits installing 
affected parts. 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 227 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 97481]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                        Labor cost                            Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.........................              $0                  $85          $19,295
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                Parts cost        Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =     Negligible........                 $85
 $85.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 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:

2024-23-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22888; Docket No. FAA-2024-2025; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00120-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2025.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, -252NX, -
253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes, certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

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

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery during a quality review 
performed during manufacturing, that a torque strip indicator 
(material ``Dykem'') had been applied on the orifice fitting on 
certain slides' inflation reservoirs' venting holes. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address blocked venting holes on the orifice 
fitting on an escape slide's inflation reservoir. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could, in combination with a slide 
reservoir pressure loss, result in deployment in flight of a non-
inflated slide, possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control 
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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0057, dated February 28, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0057).

 (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0057

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0057 refers to March 13, 2024, or 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 
2024-0057.

 (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]. 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

[[Page 97482]]

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 (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced 
in EASA AD 2024-0057 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 Timothy Dowling, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; 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 2024-0057, 
dated February 28, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2024-0057 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 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.
    (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 November 18, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28779 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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