Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes, 47028-47031 [2014-19013]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Proposed Rules
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Saab AB,
Saab Aerosystems’ EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
(i) Reporting Requirement
After accomplishing the corrective action
as required by paragraph (h) of this AD,
record any incorrect rigging value that was
detected and send a report to: Saab AB,
Business Area Support and Services, Air
Division, Technical Support email:
Saab340.techsupport@saabgroup.com Fax:
+46 (0) 13 18 48 74, at the applicable time
specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this
AD.
(1) If the corrective action was done on or
after the effective date of this AD: Submit the
report within 30 days after accomplishing the
corrective action.
(2) If the corrective action was done before
the effective date of this AD: Submit the
report within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, ANM–116,
International Branch, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 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 local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
telephone (425) 227–1112; fax (425) 227–
1149. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference
this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM–
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or
the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA); or Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems’
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).
If approved by the DOA, the approval must
include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of
information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current
valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information
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17:25 Aug 11, 2014
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collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to
be approximately 5 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of
information. All responses to this collection
of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and
suggestions for reducing the burden should
be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer,
AES–200.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0253, dated
October 18, 2013, for related information.
This MCAI may be found in the AD docket
on the Internet at https://www.
regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA2013-0460-0002.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics,
¨
SE–581 88, Linkoping, Sweden; telephone
+46 13 18 5591; fax +46 13 18 4874; email
saab340techsupport@saabgroup.com;
Internet https://www.saabgroup.com. You
may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August
1, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–19018 Filed 8–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0526; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–141–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by a determination
that the maintenance actions for
airplane systems susceptible to aging
must be mandated. This proposed AD
would require revising the maintenance
or inspection program to incorporate
more restrictive maintenance
requirements and airworthiness
SUMMARY:
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limitations. We are proposing this AD to
mitigate the risks associated with aging
effects of airplane systems. Such aging
effects could change the characteristics
leading to an increased potential for
failure, which could result in failure of
certain life limited parts, and could
reduce the structural integrity or reduce
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 26,
2014.
You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Airbus,
Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond
Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You
may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425–227–1221.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0526; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Proposed Rules
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1405;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2014–0526; Directorate Identifier
2013–NM–141–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0146,
dated July 16, 2013 (referred to after this
as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
The airworthiness limitations for Airbus
aeroplanes are currently published in
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
documents.
The airworthiness limitations applicable to
the Ageing Systems Maintenance (ASM) are
given in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A320/
A321 ALS Part 4, which is approved by
[European Aviation Safety Agency] EASA.
Revision 01 of AIRBUS A318/A319/A320/
A321 ALS Part 4 introduces more restrictive
maintenance requirements and/or
airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply
with these instructions could result in an
unsafe condition.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
*
*
*
*
*
You may examine the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating it in Docket No. FAA–
2014–0526.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued A318/A319/A320/
A321 Airworthiness Limitations
Section, ALS Part 4, ‘‘Ageing Systems
Maintenance,’’ dated June 15, 2012. The
actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the
unsafe condition identified in the
MCAI.
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17:25 Aug 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the State of
Design Authority, we have been notified
of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this
AD because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined an unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
This proposed AD requires revisions
to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new or revised
actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance
with these actions is required by section
91.403(c) of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 91.403(c)). For
airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these actions, an
operator might not be able to
accomplish the actions described in the
revisions. In this situation, to comply
with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator
must request approval of an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) in
accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (i) of this proposed AD. The
request should include a description of
changes to the required inspections that
will ensure the continued operational
safety of the airplane.
Difference Between This Proposed AD
and the MCAI
The EASA AD specifies that if there
are findings from the Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) inspection
tasks, then corrective action must be
accomplished in accordance with
Airbus maintenance documentation.
However, this proposed AD does not
include that requirement because
operators of U.S.-registered airplanes are
required by general airworthiness and
operational regulations to use FAAacceptable methods when performing
maintenance. We consider those
methods to be adequate to address any
corrective actions necessitated by the
findings of ALS inspections required by
this proposed AD.
‘‘Contacting the Manufacturer’’
Paragraph in This Proposed AD
Since late 2006, we have included a
standard paragraph titled ‘‘Airworthy
Product’’ in all MCAI ADs in which the
FAA develops an AD based on a foreign
authority’s AD.
We have become aware that some
operators have misunderstood or
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47029
misinterpreted the Airworthy Product
paragraph to allow the owner/operator
to use messages provided by the
manufacturer as approval of deviations
during the accomplishment of an ADmandated action. The Airworthy
Product paragraph does not approve
messages or other information provided
by the manufacturer for deviations to
the requirements of the AD-mandated
actions. The Airworthy Product
paragraph only addresses the
requirement to contact the manufacturer
for corrective actions for the identified
unsafe condition and does not cover
deviations from other AD requirements.
However, deviations to AD-required
actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17,
and anyone may request the approval
for an alternative method of compliance
to the AD-required actions using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
To address this misunderstanding and
misinterpretation of the Airworthy
Product paragraph, we have changed the
paragraph and retitled it ‘‘Contacting the
Manufacturer.’’ This paragraph now
clarifies that for any requirement in this
proposed AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action
must be accomplished using a method
approved by the FAA, the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or
Airbus’s EASA DOA.
The Contacting the Manufacturer
paragraph also clarifies that, if approved
by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature. The DOA
signature indicates that the data and
information contained in the document
are EASA-approved, which is also FAAapproved. Messages and other
information provided by the
manufacturer that do not contain the
DOA-authorized signature approval are
not EASA-approved, unless EASA
directly approves the manufacturer’s
message or other information.
This clarification does not remove
flexibility previously afforded by the
Airworthy Product paragraph.
Consistent with long-standing FAA
policy, such flexibility was never
intended for required actions. This is
also consistent with the
recommendation of the Airworthiness
Directive Implementation Aviation
Rulemaking Committee to increase
flexibility in complying with ADs by
identifying those actions in
manufacturers’ service instructions that
are ‘‘Required for Compliance’’ with
ADs. We continue to work with
manufacturers to implement this
recommendation. But once we
determine that an action is required, any
deviation from the requirement must be
approved as an alternative method of
compliance.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Proposed Rules
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 851 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it would take about 1
work-hour per product to comply with
the basic requirements of this proposed
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $72,335, or $85 per
product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD
would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This
proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska; and
4. 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.
17:25 Aug 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
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.
We are 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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
[Amended]
2. Amend § 39.13 by adding the
following new airworthiness directive
(AD):
■
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2014–0526;
Directorate Identifier 2013–NM–141–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September
26, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A318–
111, –112, –121, and –122 airplanes; Model
A319–111, –112, –113, –114, –115, –131,
–132, and –133 airplanes; Model A320–111,
–211, –212, –214, –231, –232, and –233
airplanes; and Airbus Model A321–111,
–112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232
airplanes, certificated in any category; all
manufacturer serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a determination
that the maintenance actions for airplane
systems susceptible to aging must be
mandated. We are issuing this AD to mitigate
the risks associated with the aging effects of
airplane systems. Such aging effects could
change the characteristics leading to an
increased potential for failure, which could
result in failure of certain life limited parts,
and could reduce the structural integrity of
the airplane or reduce the controllability of
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Revise Maintenance or Inspection
Program
Within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD: Revise the maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321
Airworthiness Limitations Section, ALS Part
4, ‘‘Ageing Systems Maintenance,’’ Revision
01, dated June 15, 2012. The initial
compliance time for doing the actions is at
the applicable time specified in A318/A319/
A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations
Section, ALS Part 4, ‘‘Ageing Systems
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Fmt 4702
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Maintenance,’’ Revision 01, dated June 15,
2012; or within 2 weeks after revising the
maintenance or inspection program;
whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After accomplishing the revision required
by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be
used unless the actions or intervals are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Branch, ANM–116, 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 local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
telephone (425) 227–1405; fax (425) 227–
1149. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference
this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM–
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or
the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0146, dated
July 16, 2013, for related information. This
MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA–2014–0526.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness
Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France;
telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@
airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com.
You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Proposed Rules
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August
1, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–19013 Filed 8–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0527; Directorate
Identifier 2014–NM–045–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault
Aviation Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Dassault Aviation Model MystereFalcon 50 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a report of an
untimely and intermittent indication of
slat activity due to chafing of the
electrical wiring under the glare shield
and behind the flight deck front panel.
This proposed AD would require
installing two protective plates between
the electrical wiring under the glare
shield and the engine fire pull handles.
We are proposing this AD to prevent
chafing of the electrical wiring, which
could result in a short circuit and
generation of smoke in the cockpit,
potential loss of several functions
essential for safe flight, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by September 26,
2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Dassault
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:25 Aug 11, 2014
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Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South
Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201–
440–6700; Internet https://
www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may
view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425–227–1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0527; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM 116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1137;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2014–0527; Directorate Identifier
2014–NM–045–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2014–0024,
dated January 23, 2014 (referred to after
this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
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47031
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Dassault Aviation Model
Mystere-Falcon 50 airplanes. The MCAI
states:
One operator experienced an untimely and
intermittent indication of slat activity on his
aeroplane. The results of the subsequent
investigation revealed that electrical wiring
under the glare shield and behind the flight
deck front panel was chafing with hardware
and was short-circuited to ground. This
situation may have resulted from an incorrect
installation of the wiring during a previous
maintenance action in the area. A design
review identified a lack of protection of the
affected electrical wiring bundle, which
would have prevented damage caused by
chafing with aeroplane structural parts.
This condition, if not corrected, might lead
to an electrical short circuit and generation
of smoke, possibly affecting operation of
systems and resulting in reduced control of
the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition,
Dassault Aviation issued [service bulletin] SB
F50–530, providing instructions for
installation of a protective plate on the
electrical wiring.
For the reasons described above, this
[EASA] AD requires modification of the
aeroplane by installing a protective plate on
the electrical wiring.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating it in Docket No. FAA–
2014–0527.
Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletin
F50–530, dated November 12, 2013. The
actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the
unsafe condition identified in the
MCAI.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the State of
Design Authority, we have been notified
of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this
AD because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined an unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Contacting the Manufacturer’’
Paragraph in This Proposed AD
Since late 2006, we have included a
standard paragraph titled ‘‘Airworthy
Product’’ in all MCAI ADs in which the
FAA develops an AD based on a foreign
authority’s AD.
E:\FR\FM\12AUP1.SGM
12AUP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47028-47031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19013]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0526; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-141-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by a determination that the maintenance actions for
airplane systems susceptible to aging must be mandated. This proposed
AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to
incorporate more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness
limitations. We are proposing this AD to mitigate the risks associated
with aging effects of airplane systems. Such aging effects could change
the characteristics leading to an increased potential for failure,
which could result in failure of certain life limited parts, and could
reduce the structural integrity or reduce controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 26,
2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0526; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
[[Page 47029]]
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0526;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-141-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0146, dated July 16, 2013 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are
currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
documents.
The airworthiness limitations applicable to the Ageing Systems
Maintenance (ASM) are given in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A320/A321 ALS
Part 4, which is approved by [European Aviation Safety Agency] EASA.
Revision 01 of AIRBUS A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 4 introduces
more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness
limitations. Failure to comply with these instructions could result
in an unsafe condition.
* * * * *
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2014-0526.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations
Section, ALS Part 4, ``Ageing Systems Maintenance,'' dated June 15,
2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new or revised actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance with these actions is required by section 91.403(c) of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 91.403(c)). For airplanes that
have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas
addressed by these actions, an operator might not be able to accomplish
the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply
with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval of an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph (i) of this proposed AD. The request should
include a description of changes to the required inspections that will
ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
Difference Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The EASA AD specifies that if there are findings from the
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) inspection tasks, then
corrective action must be accomplished in accordance with Airbus
maintenance documentation. However, this proposed AD does not include
that requirement because operators of U.S.-registered airplanes are
required by general airworthiness and operational regulations to use
FAA-acceptable methods when performing maintenance. We consider those
methods to be adequate to address any corrective actions necessitated
by the findings of ALS inspections required by this proposed AD.
``Contacting the Manufacturer'' Paragraph in This Proposed AD
Since late 2006, we have included a standard paragraph titled
``Airworthy Product'' in all MCAI ADs in which the FAA develops an AD
based on a foreign authority's AD.
We have become aware that some operators have misunderstood or
misinterpreted the Airworthy Product paragraph to allow the owner/
operator to use messages provided by the manufacturer as approval of
deviations during the accomplishment of an AD-mandated action. The
Airworthy Product paragraph does not approve messages or other
information provided by the manufacturer for deviations to the
requirements of the AD-mandated actions. The Airworthy Product
paragraph only addresses the requirement to contact the manufacturer
for corrective actions for the identified unsafe condition and does not
cover deviations from other AD requirements. However, deviations to AD-
required actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17, and anyone may request
the approval for an alternative method of compliance to the AD-required
actions using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
To address this misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the
Airworthy Product paragraph, we have changed the paragraph and retitled
it ``Contacting the Manufacturer.'' This paragraph now clarifies that
for any requirement in this proposed AD to obtain corrective actions
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method
approved by the FAA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or
Airbus's EASA DOA.
The Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph also clarifies that, if
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature. The DOA signature indicates that the data and information
contained in the document are EASA-approved, which is also FAA-
approved. Messages and other information provided by the manufacturer
that do not contain the DOA-authorized signature approval are not EASA-
approved, unless EASA directly approves the manufacturer's message or
other information.
This clarification does not remove flexibility previously afforded
by the Airworthy Product paragraph. Consistent with long-standing FAA
policy, such flexibility was never intended for required actions. This
is also consistent with the recommendation of the Airworthiness
Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee to increase
flexibility in complying with ADs by identifying those actions in
manufacturers' service instructions that are ``Required for
Compliance'' with ADs. We continue to work with manufacturers to
implement this recommendation. But once we determine that an action is
required, any deviation from the requirement must be approved as an
alternative method of compliance.
[[Page 47030]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 851 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $72,335,
or $85 per product.
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.
We are 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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. Amend Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0526; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
141-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 26, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122
airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -
133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes; and Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -
213, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any category; all
manufacturer serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a determination that the maintenance
actions for airplane systems susceptible to aging must be mandated.
We are issuing this AD to mitigate the risks associated with the
aging effects of airplane systems. Such aging effects could change
the characteristics leading to an increased potential for failure,
which could result in failure of certain life limited parts, and
could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane or reduce the
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revise Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section, ALS
Part 4, ``Ageing Systems Maintenance,'' Revision 01, dated June 15,
2012. The initial compliance time for doing the actions is at the
applicable time specified in A318/A319/A320/A321 Airworthiness
Limitations Section, ALS Part 4, ``Ageing Systems Maintenance,''
Revision 01, dated June 15, 2012; or within 2 weeks after revising
the maintenance or inspection program; whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International
Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must
specifically reference this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0146, dated July 16, 2013,
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on
the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0526.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
[[Page 47031]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 1, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19013 Filed 8-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
