Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 14298-14301 [2023-04639]
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14298
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 8, 2023 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1 TO § 52.1846—ALLOWANCES FOR DEFECTS IN TYPE I, SEEDLESS RAISINS AND TYPE II, GOLDEN SEEDLESS
RAISINS—Continued
Defects
U.S. Grade A
Capstems .....................................................................................................................................
*
§ 52.1849
*
*
[Amended]
3. Amend § 52.1849 by removing the
words ‘‘Table I’’ and adding in their
place the words ‘‘Table 1 to § 52.1846’’.
■
§ 52.1852
[Amended]
4. Amend § 52.1852 by:
a. Removing, in paragraphs (a), (b),
and (c), the words ‘‘Table II of this
subpart’’ and adding in their places the
words ‘‘Table 1 to this section’’; and
■ b. Revising the heading of the table
following paragraph (d) to read ‘‘Table
1 to § 52.1852—Allowances for Defects
■
■
*
10
[Amended]
5. Amend § 52.1853 by:
a. Removing, in paragraphs (a) and (b),
the words ‘‘Table III of this subpart’’ and
adding in their place the words ‘‘Table
1 to this section’’; and
■ b. Revising the heading of the table
following paragraph (c) to read ‘‘Table 1
to § 52.1853—Allowances for Defects in
Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds’’.
■ 6. Amend § 52.1855 by:
■
■
U.S. Grade C
15
*
in Raisins with Seeds—Except Layer or
Cluster’’.
§ 52.1853
U.S. Grade B
*
20
*
a. Removing, in paragraphs (a), (b),
and (c), the words ‘‘Table IV of this
subpart’’ and adding in their places the
words ‘‘Table 1 to this section’’; and
■ b. Revising, in the table following
paragraph (b), the heading and the entry
for capstems.
The revisions read as follows:
■
§ 52.1855
*
*
Grades of Sultana raisins.
*
*
*
TABLE 1 TO § 52.1855—ALLOWANCES FOR DEFECTS IN SULTANA RAISINS
Defects
*
*
U.S. Grade A
*
*
*
§ 52.1857
*
*
[Amended]
Erin Morris,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–04741 Filed 3–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
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14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–0427; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–01370–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
AGENCY:
16:35 Mar 07, 2023
*
Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
ACTION:
7. Amend § 52.1857 by:
a. Removing in paragraphs (a) and (b)
the words ‘‘Table V of this subpart’’ and
adding in their places the words ‘‘Table
1 to this section’’; and
■ b. Revising the heading of the table
following paragraph (a) to read ‘‘Table 1
to § 52.1857—Allowances for Defects in
Zante Currant Raisins’’.
■
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 259001
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports
where the passenger door external
handle mechanism was not retrieving its
normal, flush position when the door
was being closed. This proposed AD
would require a one-time cleaning and
lubrication of the external door handle
mechanism of each affected door, and
would limit the installation of affected
parts, as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD,
which is proposed for incorporation by
reference (IBR). 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 April 24, 2023.
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
regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
SUMMARY:
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U.S. Grade C
*
*
Maximum count (per 16 ounces)
10
15
Capstems .....................................................................................................................................
*
U.S. Grade B
*
20
*
• 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–0427; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For EASA material that is proposed
for IBR in this NPRM, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu;
website easa.europa.eu. You may find
this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2023–0427.
• You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness
E:\FR\FM\08MRP1.SGM
08MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 8, 2023 / Proposed Rules
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat
Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone 817–228–
7317; email Dat.V.Le@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–2023–0427; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–01370–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
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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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 Dat Le, Aerospace
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone 817–228–7317; email
Dat.V.Le@faa.gov. Any commentary that
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16:35 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 259001
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 2022–0213
R1, dated November 8, 2022 (EASA AD
2022–0213 R1) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A318–111,
A318–112, A318–121, A318–122, A319–
111, A319–112, A319–113, A319–114,
A319–115, A319–131, A319–132, A319–
133, A319–151N, A319–153N, A319–
171N, A320–211, A320–212, A320–214,
A320–215, A320–216, A320–231, A320–
232, A320–233, A320–251N, A320–
252N, A320–253N, A320–271N, A320–
272N, A320–273N, A321–111, A321–
112, A321–131, A321–211, A321–212,
A321–213, A321–231, A321–232, A321–
251N, A321–251NX, A321–252N,
A321–252NX, A321–253N, A321–
253NX, A321–271N, A321–271NX,
A321–272N and A321–272NX airplanes.
Model A320–215 airplanes are not
certificated by the FAA and are not
included on the U.S. type certificate
data sheet; this proposed AD therefore
does not include those airplanes in the
applicability.
The MCAI states one operator has
reported two cases of a passenger/flight
crew door external handle flap
remaining stuck in an intermediate or
fully pushed position (not flush with
the door skin) on two recently delivered
Model A320 series airplanes after the
door was opened from outside. With the
external handle flap in this intermediate
position, in one of the reported cases,
the operator was not able to open the
door normally from inside Subsequent
investigation determined that on the
production line of one door supplier,
corrosion protection compound (CPC)
was inadvertently applied to the
movable parts of the mechanism during
production. The CPC, when applied to
these parts leads to a sticky effect and
prevents the passenger door external
handle flap from moving to the closed
position, which is flush with the
fuselage skin. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could inhibit opening the
door from the inside, or allow the door
to open, automatically disarming the
slide/raft, which would result in its
non-automatic deployment. Both
scenarios could delay a safe evacuation
of airplane occupants during an
emergency. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
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You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–0427.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022–0213 R1 specifies
procedures for cleaning and lubricating
the movable parts of the external
passenger door handle mechanism of
affected doors. EASA AD 2022–0213 R1
also limits the installation of affected
parts.
This material is reasonably available
because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course
of business or by the means identified
in ADDRESSES.
FAA’s Determination
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in
the United States. Pursuant to the FAA’s
bilateral agreement with 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 2022–0213 R1 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 2022–0213 R1 by
reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2022–0213
R1 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 2022–0213 R1 does not mean
that operators need comply only with
that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ‘‘all required
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 8, 2023 / Proposed Rules
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 2022–0213 R1.
Service information required by EASA
AD 2022–0213 R1 for compliance will
be available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–0427 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 1,864
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
Up to 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 .....
$50
Up to $390 ..........................................
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.
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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.
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16:35 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 259001
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–2023–0427;
Project Identifier MCAI–2022–01370–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by April 24,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS
airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318–111, A318–112, A318–
121, and A318–122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319–111, A319–112, A319–
113, A319–114, A319–115, A319–131, A319–
132, A319–133, A319–151N, A319–153N,
and A319–171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320–211, A320–212, A320–
214, A320–216, A320–231, A320–232, A320–
233, A320–251N, A320–252N, A320–253N,
A320–271N, A320–272N, and A320–273N
airplanes.
(4) Model A321–111, A321–112, A321–
131, A321–211, A321–212, A321–213, A321–
231, A321–232, A321–251N, A321–251NX,
A321–252N, A321–252NX, A321–253N,
A321–253NX, A321–271N, A321–271NX,
A321–272N, and A321–272NX airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports where
the passenger door external handle
mechanism was not allowing the flap handle
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Cost on U.S. operators
Up to $726,960.
to return to its normal, flush position when
the door was being closed. Subsequent
investigation concluded corrosion protection
compound (CPC) was inadvertently applied
to the movable parts of the mechanism
during production. The CPC prevents the
handle flap from moving to the closed
position, flush with the fuselage skin. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
inhibit opening the door from the inside, or
allow the door to open, automatically
disarming the slide/raft, which would result
in its non-automatic deployment. Both
scenarios could delay a safe evacuation of
airplane occupants during an emergency.
(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 2022–0213 R1,
dated November 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–
0213 R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0213 R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0213 R1, refers
to November 3, 2022 (the effective of EASA
AD 2022–0213, dated October 20, 2022), this
AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’
section of EASA AD 2022–0213 R1.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, 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 International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 8, 2023 / Proposed Rules
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, 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 paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if
any service information referenced in EASA
AD 2022–0213 R1 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.
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(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Dat Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone 817–228–7317;
email Dat.V.Le@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022–0213 R1, dated November
8. 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022–0213 R1, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website
easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD
on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on March 2, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–04639 Filed 3–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 259001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–0425; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–00980–A]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DAHER
AEROSPACE (Type Certificate
Previously Held by SOCATA) 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 DAHER AEROSPACE (type
certificate previously held by SOCATA)
Model TBM 700 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the
aviation authority of another country to
identify and correct an unsafe condition
on an aviation product. The MCAI
identifies the unsafe condition as
interference between the emergency exit
trim panel and the upholstery panel,
which could result in additional effort
required to open the emergency exit
door. This proposed AD would require
modification of the gripping strap,
which maintains the upholstery panel
on the emergency exit trim panel. The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this NPRM by April 24, 2023.
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
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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–0425; 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.
SUMMARY:
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14301
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information identified
in this NPRM, contact DAHER
AEROSPACE, Customer Support,
Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex 9,
France 65921; phone: (833) 826–2273;
email: tbmcare@daher.com; website:
daher.com.
• 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred
Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA,
2300 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206–231–2346; email:
fred.guerin@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–2023–0425; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–00980–A’’ 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
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
E:\FR\FM\08MRP1.SGM
08MRP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14298-14301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04639]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0427; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01370-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 all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports where the passenger door
external handle mechanism was not retrieving its normal, flush position
when the door was being closed. This proposed AD would require a one-
time cleaning and lubrication of the external door handle mechanism of
each affected door, and would limit the installation of affected parts,
as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD,
which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 April 24,
2023.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0427; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0427.
You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness
[[Page 14299]]
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone 817-228-7317; 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-2023-0427; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01370-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
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 Dat
Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone 817-228-7317; 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 2022-0213 R1, dated November 8, 2022
(EASA AD 2022-0213 R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121,
A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131,
A319-132, A319-133, A319-151N, A319-153N, A319-171N, A320-211, A320-
212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A320-
251N, A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-271N, A320-272N, A320-273N, A321-111,
A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, A321-232,
A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N, A321-253NX,
A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N and A321-272NX airplanes. Model A320-
215 airplanes are not certificated by the FAA and are not included on
the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this proposed AD therefore does
not include those airplanes in the applicability.
The MCAI states one operator has reported two cases of a passenger/
flight crew door external handle flap remaining stuck in an
intermediate or fully pushed position (not flush with the door skin) on
two recently delivered Model A320 series airplanes after the door was
opened from outside. With the external handle flap in this intermediate
position, in one of the reported cases, the operator was not able to
open the door normally from inside Subsequent investigation determined
that on the production line of one door supplier, corrosion protection
compound (CPC) was inadvertently applied to the movable parts of the
mechanism during production. The CPC, when applied to these parts leads
to a sticky effect and prevents the passenger door external handle flap
from moving to the closed position, which is flush with the fuselage
skin. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could inhibit opening the
door from the inside, or allow the door to open, automatically
disarming the slide/raft, which would result in its non-automatic
deployment. Both scenarios could delay a safe evacuation of airplane
occupants during an emergency. The FAA is proposing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0427.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0213 R1 specifies procedures for cleaning and
lubricating the movable parts of the external passenger door handle
mechanism of affected doors. EASA AD 2022-0213 R1 also limits the
installation of affected parts.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with 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 2022-0213 R1 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 2022-0213 R1 by reference in the
FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance
with EASA AD 2022-0213 R1 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 2022-0213 R1 does not mean
that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where
the AD requirement refers to ``all required
[[Page 14300]]
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 2022-0213 R1. Service information required by EASA
AD 2022-0213 R1 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA-2023-0427 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,864 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 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $50 Up to $390................ Up to $726,960.
$340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2023-0427; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
01370-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 24, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, and A318-122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115,
A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A319-151N, A319-153N, and A319-171N
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231,
A320-232, A320-233, A320-251N, A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-271N,
A320-272N, and A320-273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212,
A321-213, A321-231, A321-232, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N,
A321-252NX, A321-253N, A321-253NX, A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N,
and A321-272NX airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports where the passenger door
external handle mechanism was not allowing the flap handle to return
to its normal, flush position when the door was being closed.
Subsequent investigation concluded corrosion protection compound
(CPC) was inadvertently applied to the movable parts of the
mechanism during production. The CPC prevents the handle flap from
moving to the closed position, flush with the fuselage skin. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could inhibit opening the door
from the inside, or allow the door to open, automatically disarming
the slide/raft, which would result in its non-automatic deployment.
Both scenarios could delay a safe evacuation of airplane occupants
during an emergency.
(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
2022-0213 R1, dated November 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0213 R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0213 R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0213 R1, refers to November 3, 2022 (the
effective of EASA AD 2022-0213, dated October 20, 2022), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0213 R1.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before
using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must
[[Page 14301]]
be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager,
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
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced
in EASA AD 2022-0213 R1 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC,
the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an
RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, not identified as RC
may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining
approval of an AMOC, provided the instructions identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aerospace
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone 817-228-7317;
email [email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0213
R1, dated November 8. 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0213 R1, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer
3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on March 2, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04639 Filed 3-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
