Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 1703-1706 [2021-28510]
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1703
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 87, No. 8
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–1172; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–00939–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series
airplanes 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). This
proposed AD was prompted by reports
of cracking in the main landing gear
(MLG) support rib 5 lower flange. This
proposed AD would require a one-time
detailed inspection (DET) of the affected
area, and applicable corrective actions,
as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD,
which is proposed for incorporation by
reference. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by February 28,
2022.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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.
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ADDRESSES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 Jan 11, 2022
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• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For material that will be incorporated
by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu;
internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1172.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1172; 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
NPRM, the mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI), any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206–231–3225; email
dan.rodina@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–1172; Project Identifier
MCAI–2021–00939–T’’ at the beginning
of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft
Section, FAA, International Validation
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax
206–231–3225; email dan.rodina@
faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0190,
dated August 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–
0190) (also referred to as the MCAI), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain
Airbus SAS Model A300, A300–600,
and A300–600ST airplanes. Model
A300–600ST airplanes are not
certificated by the FAA and are not
included on the U.S. type certificate
data sheet; this AD therefore does not
include those airplanes in the
applicability.
This proposed AD was prompted by
reports of cracking in the MLG support
rib 5 lower flange, inboard and outboard
of rib 5, on the right-hand and left-hand
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2022 / Proposed Rules
sides. The cracking was found during
routine maintenance checks on
airplanes that do not have Airbus
modification 11912 embodied and on
which fastener hole spot facing
modifications had been embodied in the
affected area. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address cracking of the MLG
support rib 5 lower flange. This
condition, if not detected and corrected,
could affect the structural integrity of
the airplane. See the MCAI for
additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021–0190 specifies
procedures for a DET of the affected
area, a one-time fluorescent penetrant
inspection (FPI) around some fastener
holes in the affected area, and
applicable corrective action(s) including
crack repair. 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.
FAA’s Determination
These products have been approved
by the aviation authority of another
country and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with the State
of Design Authority, it has notified the
FAA of the unsafe condition described
in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA
is issuing this NPRM after determining
that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type
design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2021–0190 described
previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance
Information
In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to
improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to
use some civil aviation authority (CAA)
ADs as the primary source of
information for compliance with
requirements for corresponding FAA
ADs. The FAA has been coordinating
this process with manufacturers and
CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to
incorporate EASA AD 2021–0190 by
reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2021–0190
in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Using common terms that are the same
as the heading of a particular section in
EASA AD 2021–0190 does not mean
that operators need comply only with
that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ‘‘all required
actions and compliance times,’’
compliance with this AD requirement is
not limited to the section titled
‘‘Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 2021–0190.
Service information required by EASA
AD 2021–0190 for compliance will be
available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1172 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 124 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this
proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
Cost on U.S.
operators
23 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,955 .....................................................................................
$0
$1,955
$242,420
The FAA estimates the following
costs to replace any cracked rib that
would be required based on the results
of any required actions and repair
status. 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
Up to 1,500 work-hours × $85 per hour = $127,500 ..................................................................................
$620,000
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost estimates
for the repair specified in this proposed
AD.
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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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 Jan 11, 2022
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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
The FAA determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
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Cost per product
Up to $747,500.
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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2022 / Proposed Rules
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
■
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
(a) Comments Due Date
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
1705
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2021–1172;
Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00939–T.
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by February 28,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS
airplanes, certificated in any category,
without Airbus modification 11912 and
identified in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this
AD.
Figure 1 to paragraph (c): Affected airplanes by MSN
Model
Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN)
A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C,
B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 airplanes
075, 080, 090, 107, 126, 139, 141, 151, 154, 157,
173,175,183,203,210,212,227,235,239,255,
256,261,274,277,292,299,and302
A300 B4-605R and B4-622R
airplanes
A300 C4-605R Variant F
airplanes
A300 F4-605R and F4-622R
airplanes
(d) Subject
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0190, dated
August 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0190).
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 57, Wings.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0190
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of
cracking in the main landing gear (MLG)
support rib 5 lower flange, inboard and
outboard of Rib 5, on the right-hand and lefthand sides. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address cracking of the MLG support rib 5
lower flange. This condition, if not detected
and corrected, could affect the structural
integrity of the airplane.
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(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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 Jan 11, 2022
Jkt 256001
(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0190 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021–
0190 specifies to ‘‘accomplish those
instructions accordingly’’ if any crack is
detected, for this AD if any crack is detected,
the crack must be repaired before further
flight using a method approved 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.
(3) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0190 does not apply to this AD.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
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Fmt 4702
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(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft
Section, 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 Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or
EASA; or Airbus SAS’s EASA DOA. If
E:\FR\FM\12JAP1.SGM
12JAP1
EP12JA22.025</GPH>
A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620,
and B4-622 airplanes
358,361,365,380,388,401,405,408,417,464,
477,479,518,521,530,532,536,543,546,553,
555,557,559,561,572,575,579,581,584,602,
603,607,608,611,613,617,618,621,623,625,
626,630,632,633,637,641,643,657,659,664,
666,668,670,677,679,683,688,696,701,703,
707,709,711,713,715,717,722,723,724,725,
726,727,728,729,730,732,733,734,735,736,
737,738,739,740,741,742,743,744,745,746,
748,749,750,752,753,754,755,756,757,758,
759,760,761,762,763,764,766,768,769,770,
771,772,773,774,775,777,778,779,780,781,
783, 789, 790, and 791
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2022 / Proposed Rules
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 2021–0190 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) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021–0190, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; Internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://
ad.easa.europa.eu. 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. This
material may be found in the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–1172.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206–
231–3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov.
Issued on December 29, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–28510 Filed 1–11–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–1174; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–00246–R]
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.a. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
SUMMARY:
16:08 Jan 11, 2022
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact Leonardo S.p.A.
Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of
Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520,
21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy;
telephone +39–0331–225074; fax +39–
0331–229046; or at https://
customerportal.leonardocompany.com/
en-US/. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
ADDRESSES:
Examining the AD Docket
RIN 2120–AA64
VerDate Sep<11>2014
2020–23–07, which applies to certain
Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and
AW139 helicopters. AD 2020–23–07
requires removing certain life raft
reservoirs (reservoirs) from service,
inspecting the reservoirs and actuator
cables, and depending on the inspection
results, replacing the reservoir or
adjusting the actuator cable. Since the
FAA issued AD 2020–23–07, additional
serial-numbered reservoirs were
identified as also being affected by the
unsafe condition. This proposed AD
would retain certain requirements of AD
2020–23–07, expand the required
actions to include additional serialnumbered reservoirs, and update
applicable service information. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by February 28,
2022.
Jkt 256001
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–1174; 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
NPRM, the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
comments received, and other
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer,
COS Program Management Section,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance
& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228–7323; email
Darren.Gassetto@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–1174; Project Identifier
MCAI–2021–00246–R’’ at the beginning
of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Darren Gassetto,
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program
Management Section, Operational
Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228–7323; email
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1703-1706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28510]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 1703]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1172; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00939-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes 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). This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main landing
gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange. This proposed AD would require a
one-time detailed inspection (DET) of the affected area, and applicable
corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February
28, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2021-1172.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1172; 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 NPRM, the
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-1172; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-00939-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email [email protected]. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0190, dated August 17, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0190) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A300, A300-600, and A300-
600ST airplanes. Model A300-600ST airplanes are not certificated by the
FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this
AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the MLG
support rib 5 lower flange, inboard and outboard of rib 5, on the
right-hand and left-hand
[[Page 1704]]
sides. The cracking was found during routine maintenance checks on
airplanes that do not have Airbus modification 11912 embodied and on
which fastener hole spot facing modifications had been embodied in the
affected area. The FAA is proposing this AD to address cracking of the
MLG support rib 5 lower flange. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the airplane. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0190 specifies procedures for a DET of the affected
area, a one-time fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) around some
fastener holes in the affected area, and applicable corrective
action(s) including crack repair. 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to
exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0190 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2021-0190 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2021-0190 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2021-0190 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2021-
0190. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0190 for compliance
will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1172 after the FAA final rule is
published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 124 airplanes
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,955........................ $0 $1,955 $242,420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to replace any cracked rib
that would be required based on the results of any required actions and
repair status. 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 1,500 work-hours x $85 per hour = $127,500 $620,000 Up to $747,500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repair specified in this proposed AD.
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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities
[[Page 1705]]
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-1172; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
00939-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by February 28, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, without Airbus modification 11912 and identified in figure
1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP12JA22.025
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main landing
gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange, inboard and outboard of Rib
5, on the right-hand and left-hand sides. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address cracking of the MLG support rib 5 lower flange. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity 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
2021-0190, dated August 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0190).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0190
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0190 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0190 specifies to
``accomplish those instructions accordingly'' if any crack is
detected, for this AD if any crack is detected, the crack must be
repaired before further flight using a method approved 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.
(3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0190 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Large Aircraft Section, 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) 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, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus
SAS's EASA DOA. If
[[Page 1706]]
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 2021-0190 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) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021-0190, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
[email protected]; Internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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. This material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-1172.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email [email protected].
Issued on December 29, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-28510 Filed 1-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
