Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 41609 [X19-10815]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Federal Aviation Administration
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2019–
0192.
14 CFR Part 39
Examining the AD Docket
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. FAA–2019–0192; Product
Identifier 2019–NM–004–AD; Amendment
39–19692; AD 2019–14–14]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A300 B4–600, B4–
600R, and F4–600R series airplanes, and
Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model
A300–600 series airplanes); and Model
A310 series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a determination that a
certain aircraft maintenance manual
(AMM) task provided instructions for a
visual inspection of composite and
metallic vertical tailplane (VTP)
attachment fittings, but the inspection
method did not specify detection of
delamination length, which could
possibly extend beyond the defined
allowable limits. This AD requires a
review of airplane maintenance records,
and, depending on the results, one-time
detailed and ultrasonic inspections of
the affected parts and applicable
corrective actions, as specified in a
European 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 September
19, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of September 19, 2019.
ADDRESSES: For the material
incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact the EASA, at KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 89990
1000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu;
internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may
find this IBR material on the EASA
website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this IBR material at the
FAA, Transport Standards 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 on
the internet at https://
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SUMMARY:
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15:51 Aug 14, 2019
Jkt 247001
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2019–
0192; 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 regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206–231–3225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
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 A300
B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series
airplanes, and Model A300 C4–605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called
Model A300–600 series airplanes); and
Model A310 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
April 15, 2019 (84 FR 15162). The
NPRM was prompted by a
determination that a certain AMM task
provided instructions for a visual
inspection of composite and metallic
VTP attachment fittings, but the
inspection method did not specify
detection of delamination length, which
could possibly extend beyond the
defined allowable limits. The NPRM
proposed to require a review of airplane
maintenance records, and, depending
on the results, one-time detailed and
ultrasonic inspections of the affected
parts and applicable corrective actions.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address
VTP attachment fittings that could be
delaminated beyond allowable limits,
which, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to failure of the VTP
attachment fittings, possibly resulting in
loss of control of the airplane.
The EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD
2019–0006, dated January 17, 2019
(‘‘EASA AD 2019–0006’’) (also referred
to as the Mandatory Continuing
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
41609
Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A300–600
series airplanes and Model A310 series
airplanes. The MCAI states:
AMM Task 55–36–11 provides instructions
for visual inspection of composite and
metallic VTP attachment fittings, and
contains detailed information on damage
limits. As defined in this AMM task, a
composite part delamination is acceptable
without further repair. However, as the
inspection method included in the AMM
does not allow detection of delamination
length, this may consequently pass over the
allowable limits defined.
This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to failure of the VTP
attachment fittings, possibly resulting in loss
of control of the aeroplane.
Prompted by this potential unsafe
condition, Airbus issued the applicable SB
[service bulletin] to provide non-destructive
test instructions, which allow detection of
delaminated area(s) before exceeding the
limits.
For the reasons described above, this
[EASA] AD requires a review of maintenance
records and, depending on the result, a onetime detailed inspection (DET) of the affected
parts, followed by an ultrasonic (US)
inspection, and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective
action(s).
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2019–
0192.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the
opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents
the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA’s response to that comment.
Request To Clarify Corrective Action
FedEx requested clarification
regarding the corrective action specified
in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019–
0006. FedEx noted that paragraph (3) of
EASA AD 2019–0006 directs operators
to contact Airbus for corrective action
instructions if any discrepancies are
detected during the inspections
specified in EASA AD 2019–0006.
FedEx recommended to revise the
proposed AD to state that Airbus should
only be contacted for repair instructions
if damage or delamination is found
outside of the allowable damage limits,
as specified in structural repair manual
(SRM) 55–30–00 during the inspection
specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD
2019–0006. FedEx reasoned that
clarifying the corrective action could
allow operators to complete the repairs
themselves for damage or delamination
that are within the allowable damage
limits, and that Airbus would only be
E:\FR\FM\15AUR1.SGM
15AUR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X19-10815]
[[Page 41609]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0192; Product Identifier 2019-NM-004-AD; Amendment
39-19692; AD 2019-14-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes,
and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model
A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a determination that a certain aircraft maintenance
manual (AMM) task provided instructions for a visual inspection of
composite and metallic vertical tailplane (VTP) attachment fittings,
but the inspection method did not specify detection of delamination
length, which could possibly extend beyond the defined allowable
limits. This AD requires a review of airplane maintenance records, and,
depending on the results, one-time detailed and ultrasonic inspections
of the affected parts and applicable corrective actions, as specified
in a European 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 September 19, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
19, 2019.
ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact the EASA, at Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material at the
FAA, Transport Standards 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 on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0192.
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-2019-
0192; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
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
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series
airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 15, 2019 (84 FR 15162). The NPRM was prompted
by a determination that a certain AMM task provided i
