Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 7062-7065 [2022-02520]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / Proposed Rules
2018, for related information. You may
examine the MCAI at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA–2020–1076.
(2) Viking SB V3/0010, Revision NC and
Viking PSM 1–3–5, Revision IR, contain
additional information related to this AD.
(3) For more information about this AD,
contact Deep Gaurav, Aviation Safety
Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (516) 228–7300; email:
deep.gaurav@faa.gov.
(4) For service information related to this
AD, contact Viking Air Limited Technical
Support, 1959 De Havilland Way, Sidney,
British Columbia, Canada, V8L 5V5;
telephone: (North America) (800) 663–8444;
fax: (250) 656–0673; email:
technical.support@vikingair.com; website:
https://www.vikingair.com/support/servicebulletins. You may review this referenced
service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO
64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
Issued on February 1, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–02547 Filed 2–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2022–0091; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–01123–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 A318 series
airplanes; Model A319–111, –112, –113,
–114, –115, –131, –132, and –133
airplanes; Model A320–211, –212, –214,
–216, –231, –232, and –233 airplanes;
and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211,
–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by
reports that during inspections
accomplished in accordance with
certain airworthiness limitation items
(ALIs), cracks were detected in double
joggle areas at frame (FR) 16 and FR20,
right hand and left hand sides. This
proposed AD would require repetitive
special detailed inspections of certain
areas and applicable on-condition
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SUMMARY:
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actions, as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD. 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 March 25, 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 EASA material that will be
incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2022–0091; 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:
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206–231–3223; email
sanjay.ralhan@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–2022–0091; Project Identifier
MCAI–2021–01123–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
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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 Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax
206–231–3223; email sanjay.ralhan@
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 2021–0227,
dated October 11, 2021 (EASA AD
2021–0227) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus SAS Model A318
series airplanes; Model A319–111, –112,
–113, –114, –115, –131, –132, and –133
airplanes; Model A320–211, –212, –214,
–216, –231, –232, and –233 airplanes;
and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211,
–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by
reports that during inspections
accomplished in accordance with ALI
tasks 531153 and 531155, cracks were
detected in the double joggle areas at
FR16 and FR20, right hand and left
hand sides. The FAA is proposing this
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / Proposed Rules
AD to address cracks in these areas,
which, if not detected and corrected,
could reduce the structural integrity of
the fuselage. See the MCAI for
additional background information.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
AD 2020–20–05, Amendment 39–
21261 (85 FR 65197, October 15, 2020)
(AD 2020–20–05) applies to Model
A318–111, –112, –121, and –122
airplanes; Model A319–111, –112, –113,
–114, –115, –131, –132, –133, –151N,
and –153N airplanes; Model A320–211,
–212, –214, –216, –231, –232, –233,
–251N, –252N, –253N, –271N, –272N,
and –273N airplanes; and Model A321–
111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231,
–232, –251N, –251NX, –252N, –252NX,
–253N, –253NX, –271N, –271NX,
–272N, and –272NX airplanes. AD
2020–20–05 requires incorporating new
or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. Accomplishment of the
proposed actions would terminate ALI
Tasks 531153–02–1, 531153–02–2,
531155–02–1 and 531155–02–2, as
required by paragraph (i) of AD 2020–
20–05 for Model A318 series airplanes;
Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114,
–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes;
Model A320–211, –212, –214, –216,
–231, –232, and –233 airplanes; and
Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211,
–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes
only.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021–0227 specifies
procedures for repetitive special
detailed inspections (rototest
inspections) of double joggle areas at
FR16 and FR20, right hand and left
hand sides for cracking, applicable oncondition actions (repair) and an
optional modification of the double
joggle area, which terminates the
repetitive inspections. The modification
includes a rotating probe inspection of
certain fastener holes for cracks, a check
of the fastener holes for a minimum
diameter, and applicable on-condition
actions (repair and oversizing holes).
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 is 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 these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2021–0227 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
7063
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 2021–0227 by
reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2021–0227
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 2021–0227 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 2021–0227.
Service information required by EASA
AD 2021–0227 for compliance will be
available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2022–0091 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 1,549 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
Up to 55 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,675 ........................
Cost per product
$0
Cost on U.S. operators
Up to $4,675 ...........................
Up to $7,241,575.
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ESTIMATED COSTS FOR OPTIONAL ACTIONS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
60 work-hours × $85 per hour = $5,100 .................................................................................................................
$1,624
$6,724
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost estimates
for the on-condition repairs 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
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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
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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.
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7064
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / Proposed Rules
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
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
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:
■
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2022–0091;
Project Identifier MCAI–2021–01123–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by March 25,
2022.
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(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2020–20–05,
Amendment 39–21261 (85 FR 65197, October
15, 2020) (AD 2020–20–05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model
airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–
0227, dated October 11, 2021 (EASA AD
2021–0227).
(1) Model A318–111, –112, –121, and –122
airplanes.
(2) Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114,
–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320–211, –212, –214, –216,
–231, –232, and –233 airplanes.
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(4) Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211,
–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that,
during inspections accomplished as specified
in certain airworthiness limitation items
(ALIs), cracks were detected in the double
joggle areas at frame (FR) 16 and FR20 in the
nose forward fuselage. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address cracks in these areas,
which, if not detected and corrected, could
reduce the structural integrity of the fuselage.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021–0227.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0227
(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0227 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0227 does not apply to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021–
0227 specifies to ‘‘contact Airbus for
approved repair instructions and, within the
compliance time specified therein,
accomplish those instructions accordingly’’ if
any cracks are detected, for this AD if any
cracking is detected, the cracking must be
repaired before further flight using a method
approved by Airbus SAS’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(4) Where paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA
AD 2021–0227 specify ‘‘Airbus approved
repair instructions,’’ or ‘‘post-repair
inspection instructions approved by Airbus,’’
for this AD, to be acceptable for credit, the
repair instructions must be approved by
Airbus SAS’s EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA,
the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0227 specifies
to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(j) Terminating Action for Certain
Requirements in AD 2020–20–05
Accomplishing the initial inspections
required by this AD terminates ALI Tasks
531153–02–1, 531153–02–2, 531155–02–1
and 531155–02–2, as required by paragraph
(i) of AD 2020–20–05 only for the airplanes
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(k) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
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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 (l)(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 Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except
as required by paragraphs (h)(3), (i), and
(k)(2) of this AD, if any service information
contains procedures or tests that are
identified as RC, those procedures and tests
must be done to comply with this AD; any
procedures or tests that are not identified as
RC are recommended. Those procedures and
tests that are not identified as RC may be
deviated from using accepted methods in
accordance with the operator’s existing
maintenance or inspection program without
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the procedures and tests identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in
an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or
changes to procedures or tests identified as
RC require approval of an AMOC.
(l) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021–0227, 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–2022–0091.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and
fax 206–231–3223; email sanjay.ralhan@
faa.gov.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / Proposed Rules
Issued on February 2, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–02520 Filed 2–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–7071; Project
Identifier 2019–CE–048–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air
Limited (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Bombardier Inc. and de
Havilland, Inc.) Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to
supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
64–09–03, which applies to all de
Havilland (type certificate now held by
Viking Air Limited) Model DHC–2
‘‘Beaver’’ airplanes. AD 64–09–03
requires inspecting the aileron mass
balance weight arms for cracks and
corrosion and replacing any damaged
part. Since the FAA issued AD 64–09–
03, Transport Canada superseded its
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) to correct an unsafe
condition on these products. This
proposed AD would require establishing
a corrosion prevention and control
program to identify and correct
corrosion. This proposed AD would also
require completing all of the initial tasks
identified in the program and reporting
corrosion findings to Viking. The
proposed corrosion prevention and
control program would include the
inspection of the aileron balance weight
arms required by AD 64–09–03. 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 March 25, 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
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SUMMARY:
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15:47 Feb 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
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 Viking Air Limited
Technical Support, 1959 De Havilland
Way, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada,
V8L 5V5; phone: (North America) (800)
663–8444; fax: (250) 656–0673; email:
technical.support@vikingair.com;
website: https://www.vikingair.com/
support/service-bulletins. You may view
this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2020–7071; 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 MCAI, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is
listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aziz
Ahmed, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York
11590; phone: (516) 287–7329; email:
aziz.ahmed@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–2020–7071; Project Identifier
2019–CE–048–AD’’ 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 the 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.
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7065
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 Aziz Ahmed,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, New York
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590.
Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as
CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 64–09–03,
Amendment 718 (29 FR 5390; April 22,
1964) (AD 64–09–03) for all de
Havilland (type certificate now held by
Viking Air Limited) Model DHC–2
‘‘Beaver’’ airplanes. AD 64–09–03
requires repetitively inspecting the
aileron mass balance weight arms for
cracks and corrosion and replacing any
damaged part. AD 64–09–03 resulted
from cracks and corrosion found on
aileron mass balance weight arm part
numbers (P/Ns) C2WA151, C2WA152,
C2WA127, and C2WA128.
Actions Since AD 64–09–03 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 64–09–03,
the type certificate holder for Model
DHC–2 airplanes changed from de
Havilland to Viking Air Limited.
Transport Canada, which is the aviation
authority for Canada, superseded its
prior ADs on this unsafe condition and
issued AD CF–2019–25, dated July 5,
2019 (referred to after this as ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for all serial-numbered Viking Air
Limited Model DHC–2 Mk. I, DHC–2
Mk. II, and DHC–2 Mk. III airplanes.
The MCAI states:
Service experience indicates that aging
aircraft are more likely to be affected by
corrosion. Viking Air Limited (Viking), as
Type Certificate holder for DHC–2, has
developed a supplementary inspection and
corrosion control program which identifies
specific area that must be inspected to ensure
the corrosion-related degradation does not
E:\FR\FM\08FEP1.SGM
08FEP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7062-7065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02520]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0091; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01123-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 A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211,
-212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -
112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by reports that during inspections accomplished in
accordance with certain airworthiness limitation items (ALIs), cracks
were detected in double joggle areas at frame (FR) 16 and FR20, right
hand and left hand sides. This proposed AD would require repetitive
special detailed inspections of certain areas and applicable on-
condition actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD. 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 March 25,
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 EASA 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0091; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223;
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-2022-0091; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01123-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
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; 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 2021-0227, dated October 11, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0227) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes;
Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes;
Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and
Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports that during inspections
accomplished in accordance with ALI tasks 531153 and 531155, cracks
were detected in the double joggle areas at FR16 and FR20, right hand
and left hand sides. The FAA is proposing this
[[Page 7063]]
AD to address cracks in these areas, which, if not detected and
corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the fuselage. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
AD 2020-20-05, Amendment 39-21261 (85 FR 65197, October 15, 2020)
(AD 2020-20-05) applies to Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122
airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, and -153N airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -
232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and
Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -
251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX
airplanes. AD 2020-20-05 requires incorporating new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would
terminate ALI Tasks 531153-02-1, 531153-02-2, 531155-02-1 and 531155-
02-2, as required by paragraph (i) of AD 2020-20-05 for Model A318
series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132,
and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231,
and -232 airplanes only.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0227 specifies procedures for repetitive special
detailed inspections (rototest inspections) of double joggle areas at
FR16 and FR20, right hand and left hand sides for cracking, applicable
on-condition actions (repair) and an optional modification of the
double joggle area, which terminates the repetitive inspections. The
modification includes a rotating probe inspection of certain fastener
holes for cracks, a check of the fastener holes for a minimum diameter,
and applicable on-condition actions (repair and oversizing holes). 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 is 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 these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0227 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 2021-0227 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2021-0227 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 2021-0227 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-
0227. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0227 for compliance
will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0091 after the FAA final rule is
published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 1,549
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 55 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 Up to $4,675.............. Up to $7,241,575.
$4,675.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 work-hours x $85 per hour = $5,100. $1,624 $6,724
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs 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.
[[Page 7064]]
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 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-2022-0091; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
01123-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 25, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2020-20-05, Amendment 39-21261 (85 FR 65197,
October 15, 2020) (AD 2020-20-05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2021-0227, dated October 11, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0227).
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that, during inspections
accomplished as specified in certain airworthiness limitation items
(ALIs), cracks were detected in the double joggle areas at frame
(FR) 16 and FR20 in the nose forward fuselage. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address cracks in these areas, which, if not detected and
corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the fuselage.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0227.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0227
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0227 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0227 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0227 specifies to
``contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the
compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions
accordingly'' if any cracks are detected, for this AD if any
cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further
flight using a method approved by Airbus SAS's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(4) Where paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0227 specify
``Airbus approved repair instructions,'' or ``post-repair inspection
instructions approved by Airbus,'' for this AD, to be acceptable for
credit, the repair instructions must be approved by Airbus SAS's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0227
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements in AD 2020-20-05
Accomplishing the initial inspections required by this AD
terminates ALI Tasks 531153-02-1, 531153-02-2, 531155-02-1 and
531155-02-2, as required by paragraph (i) of AD 2020-20-05 only for
the airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(k) 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 (l)(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 Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraphs (h)(3), (i), and (k)(2) of this AD, if any service
information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC,
those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended.
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the
operator's existing maintenance or inspection program without
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests
identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an
airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or
tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(l) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021-0227, 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-
2022-0091.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3223; email [email protected].
[[Page 7065]]
Issued on February 2, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02520 Filed 2-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
