Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 58116-58120 [2023-17773]
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58116
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 164 / Friday, August 25, 2023 / Proposed Rules
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:
■
Pratt & Whitney: Docket No. FAA–2023–
1640; Project Identifier AD–2022–00283–
E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by September
25, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney (PW)
Model PW2037, PW2037M, and PW2040
engines with a high-pressure turbine (HPT)
2nd stage blade assembly, part number (P/N)
1B7522 installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 7250, Turbine Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an in-flight
shutdown caused by the fracture of HPT 2nd
stage turbine hub assembly lugs. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT
2nd stage turbine hub assembly lug and HPT
2nd stage blade assemblies. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
the uncontained release of the HPT 2nd stage
blade assemblies, damage to the engine, and
damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
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(g) Required Actions
Before exceeding the applicable
compliance times specified in Planning
Information, Compliance, page 2, of PW
Turbojet Engine Service Bulletin PW2000
A72–777, Revision 2, dated April 11, 2023
(PW2000 A72–777 Rev. 2), or before
accumulating 500 cycles after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
perform all applicable actions identified as
‘‘RC’’ (required for compliance) in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of PW2000 A72–777 Rev. 2.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions
required by paragraph (g) of this AD if you
performed these actions before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with PW
Turbojet Engine Service Bulletin PW2000
A72–777, Initial Issue, dated September 29,
2021, or PW Turbojet Engine Service Bulletin
PW2000 A72–777, Revision 1, dated
December 21, 2022.
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(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR–520 Continued
Operational Safety 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the certification office,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and
email to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(3) Except as required by paragraph (g) of
this AD: For service information that
contains steps that are labeled as Required
for Compliance (RC), the following
provisions apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including
substeps under an RC step and any figures
identified in an RC step, must be done to
comply with the AD. An AMOC is required
for any deviations to RC steps, including
substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled 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 RC steps,
including substeps and identified figures, can
still be done as specified, and the airplane
can be put back in an airworthy condition.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Carol Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: (781) 238–7655;
email: carol.nguyen@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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pratt & Whitney Turbojet Engine Service
Bulletin PW2000 A72–777, Revision 2, dated
April 11, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney, 400 Main
Street, East Hartford, CT 06118; phone: (800)
565–0140; email: help24@pw.utc.com;
website: connect.prattwhitney.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(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:
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www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on July 24, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–18259 Filed 8–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–0009; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–00789–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA is revising a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that
would have applied to certain Airbus
SAS Model A319–115 airplanes; Model
A320–214, –216, –232, –251N, and
–271N airplanes; and Model A321–211,
–231, –251N, –251NX, –252NX, –253N,
–253NX, –271N, –271NX, and –272N
airplanes. This action revises the NPRM
by adding Model A321–213 airplanes,
which were inadvertently left out of the
applicability. The FAA is proposing this
airworthiness directive (AD) to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
Since these actions would impose an
additional burden over those in the
NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments
on this SNPRM.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this SNPRM by October 10, 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–2023–0009; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
SUMMARY:
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5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains the NPRM, this SNPRM, 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 European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) material that is
proposed for incorporation by reference
(IBR) in this SNPRM, 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.eu. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2023–0009.
• 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone:
206–231–3667; email
timothy.p.dowling@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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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–2023–0009; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–00789–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 SNPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
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Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this SNPRM
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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing
CBI should be sent to Timothy P.
Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206–231–
3667; email timothy.p.dowling@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
The FAA issued AD 2020–05–16,
Amendment 39–19866 (85 FR 15938,
March 20, 2020) (AD 2020–05–16) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A319–115
airplanes; Model A320–214, –216, –232,
–251N, and –271N airplanes; and Model
A321–211, –231, –251N, –251NX,
–253N, –271N, –271NX, and –272N
airplanes. AD 2020–05–16 requires a
one-time detailed inspection of certain
attaching points on the left-hand and
right-hand wings for the correct
installation of certain hardware, and,
depending on findings, accomplishment
of applicable corrective actions. The
FAA issued AD 2020–05–16 to address
incomplete installations of the over
wing panel lug attachments in the
production assembly line, which, if not
detected and corrected, could reduce
the structural integrity of the wing.
The FAA issued an NPRM to amend
14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to
supersede AD 2020–05–16 that would
apply to certain Airbus SAS Model
A319–115 airplanes; Model A320–214,
–216, –232, –251N, and –271N
airplanes; and Model A321–211, –231,
–251N, –251NX, –252NX, –253N,
–253NX, –271N, –271NX, and –272N
airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on January 13, 2023
(88 FR 2273). The NPRM was prompted
by MCAI originated by EASA, which is
the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2022–0111, dated June 15,
2022 (EASA AD 2022–0111) (also
referred to as the MCAI) to correct an
unsafe condition identified as
incomplete installations of the overwing
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panel lug attachments. The NPRM
proposed to continue to require the
actions in AD 2020–05–16 and to revise
the applicability by adding airplanes.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, it
was determined that although the serial
numbers of the affected airplanes appear
in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2022–0111,
Model A321–213 airplanes were
inadvertently left out of the
applicability of EASA AD 2022–0111.
EASA has since revised AD 2022–0111.
EASA AD 2022–0111R1, dated July 26,
2023 (EASA AD 2022–0111R1), was
issued because some reports highlighted
the omission in the Applicability of
Model A321–213 airplanes, whereas the
MSNs relevant to this model were
correctly listed in Appendix 1 of EASA
AD 2022–0111 (among Group 1
aeroplanes). Consequently, EASA AD
2022–0111R1 includes Model A321–213
airplanes in the Applicability.
Paragraph (c) of this proposed AD was
therefore revised to include Model
A321–213 airplanes to match the
applicability of EASA AD 2022–0111R1.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–0009.
Comments
The FAA received a comment from
Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the
NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional
comments from Delta Air Lines (DAL).
The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Request To Add Exception To Correct
Reference to Required Procedure
DAL requested that an exception be
added to the proposed AD to change the
structural repair manual (SRM)
reference specified in paragraphs
C.(2)(b)3.a and C.(4)(b)3.a of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320–57–1234, dated
December 13, 2021, from SRM 51–11–13
to SRM 51–11–00. DAL stated that SRM
task 51–11–13 details the process for
damage reporting, while SRM task 51–
11–00 details the process for classifying
damage, which is the required task.
The FAA does not agree with the
requested change because SRM 51–11–
13 references SRM 51–11–00, which
includes the damage assessment
procedure. This proposed AD has not
been changed regarding this request.
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Request To Add Exception To Allow
Compliance Based on Alternate
Inspection for Certain Airplanes
DAL requested that an exception be
added to allow compliance to be taken
for any Group 2 airplanes that have
already been inspected using Airbus
Alert Operators Transmission (AOT)
A57N012–19 Rev 01, dated April 18,
2019. DAL stated that the inspection
specified in Airbus AOT A57N012–19
Rev 01, dated April 18, 2019, is
identical to the inspection specified in
Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320–57–
1234, dated December 13, 2021.
The FAA does not agree with this
request. If the inspection procedure
provided in Airbus AOT A57N012–19
Rev 01, dated April 18, 2019, is the
same as the required procedures in the
Airbus SB A320–57–1234, dated
December 13, 2021, then accomplishing
its procedure would be the same as
accomplishing procedures of the SB,
therefore it meets the mandatory action
requirements of the AD. This proposed
AD has not been changed regarding this
request.
Request To Add Compliance Time
Grace Period for Certain Airplanes
DAL requested that the proposed AD
include a compliance time grace period
of 6 months for the required actions
specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD
2022–0111 because several airplanes
will be immediately out of compliance
on the effective date of the AD. DAL
noted that EASA AD 2022–0111 does
not include any grace period for Group
2 airplanes and that operators will
require a grace period to update their
documentation and process to show
compliance with the FAA AD.
The FAA agrees with changing the
requested grace period to prevent
grounding of airplanes that have
exceeded the maximum flight hours or
flight cycles. Paragraph (h)(5) of the
proposed AD (in the NPRM) included a
30-day grace period. However, a 6month grace period would be necessary
to prevent the grounding of the
airplanes that have already exceeded
14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight
cycles, whichever occurs first.
Paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed AD
has been changed to specify a 6-month
grace period. (Paragraph (2) of EASA AD
2022–0111R1 does not include a grace
period.)
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Request To Add a Certain Model to the
Applicability
DAL requested that Airbus SAS
Model A321–213 airplanes be added to
the applicability of the proposed AD
because some of the serial numbers
listed in the appendix of the MCAI are
Airbus SAS Model A321–213 airplanes,
although that model does not appear in
the Applicability section of the MCAI.
The FAA agrees to add Airbus SAS
Model A321–213 airplanes to the
applicability of this proposed AD. As
stated previously, EASA AD 2022–
0111R1 was issued to correct the
Applicability to include Model A321–
213 airplanes. Therefore, Airbus SAS
Model A321–213 airplanes have been
added to paragraph (c) of this proposed
AD.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022–0111R1 specifies
procedures for a one-time detailed
inspection of certain attaching points on
the left-hand and right-hand wings for
the correct installation of certain
hardware (bolt, nut, washer, and cotter
pin), and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective
actions. Corrective actions include
installing missing hardware, properly
orienting hardware, and performing a
damage assessment for cracks and
deformed parts in the event of missing
hardware, and repair. For certain
airplanes, EASA AD 2022–0111R1 also
specifies reporting the inspection results
to Airbus. 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
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 this State of
Design Authority, it has notified the
FAA of the unsafe condition described
in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA
is issuing this SNPRM after determining
that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type
design.
Certain changes described above
expand the scope of the NPRM. As a
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result, it is necessary to reopen the
comment period to provide additional
opportunity for the public to comment
on this SNPRM.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
SNPRM
This proposed AD would retain all
requirements of AD 2020–05–16. This
proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2022–0111R1 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 2022–0111R1 by
reference in the FAA final rule. This
proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2022–
0111R1 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 2022–0111R1 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 2022–0111R1.
Service information required by EASA
AD 2022–0111R1 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–0009 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 131
airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD:
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ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS *
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
Cost on U.S.
operators
2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ..........................................................................................
$0
$170
$22,700
* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
The FAA estimates that it would take
about 1 work-hour per product to
comply with the reporting requirement
in this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these
figures, the FAA estimates the cost of
reporting the inspection results on U.S.
operators to be up to $11,135, or $85 per
product.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary on-condition
actions that would be required based on
the results of any required actions. The
FAA has no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need these
on-condition actions:
ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Up to 20 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,700 .......................................
Up to $77,850 ................................
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Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, nor shall a person be subject
to a penalty for failure to comply with
a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid
OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information
collection is 2120–0056. Public
reporting for this collection of
information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response,
including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the
data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information.
All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send
comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, Federal Aviation
Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177–1524.
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
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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.
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.
Cost per product
Up to $79,550.
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:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 2020–05–16, Amendment 39–
19866 (85 FR 15938, March 20, 2020);
and
■ b. Adding the following new AD:
■
■
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2023–0009;
Project Identifier MCAI–2022–00789–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by October 10,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020–05–16,
Amendment 39–19866 (85 FR 15938, March
20, 2020) (AD 2020–05–16).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS
airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (3) of this AD, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022–
0111R1, dated July 26, 2023 (EASA AD
2022–0111R1).
(1) Model A319–115 airplanes.
(2) Model A320–214, –216, –232, –251N,
and –271N airplanes.
(3) Model A321–211, –213, –231, –251N,
–251NX, –252NX, –253N, –253NX, –271N,
–271NX, and –272N airplanes.
The Proposed Amendment
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 57, Wings.
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of
incomplete installations of the over wing
panel lug attachments in the production
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assembly line and a determination that
additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe
condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address these incomplete installations. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced structural integrity of the
wing.
(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 2022–0111R1.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0111R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0111R1 refers to
its effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0111R1 refers to
October 2, 2019 (the effective date of EASA
AD 2019–0233, dated September 18, 2019),
this AD requires using April 24, 2022 (the
effective date of AD 2020–05–16).
(3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022–
0111R1 specifies to ‘‘or contact Airbus for
approved instructions, and within the
compliance time identified therein,
accomplish those instructions accordingly’’
this AD requires replacing those words with
‘‘or contact Airbus for approved instructions,
and within the compliance time identified
therein, accomplish those instructions
accordingly, except if any cracking is
detected, the cracking must be repaired
before further flight 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.’’
(4) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’
section of EASA AD 2022–0111R1.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD
specifies a compliance time of ‘‘before
exceeding 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight
cycles, whichever occurs first since
aeroplane first flight,’’ this AD requires
replacing those words with ‘‘before
exceeding 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight
cycles, whichever occurs first since airplane
first flight; or within 6 months after the
effective date of this AD; whichever occurs
later.’’
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
(i) No Reporting Requirement for Certain
Airplanes
For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in
EASA AD 2022–0111R1, this AD does not
require reporting.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:46 Aug 24, 2023
Jkt 259001
to the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD
2020–05–16 are approved as AMOCs for the
corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022–
0111R1 that are required by paragraph (g) of
this AD.
(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, International Validation
Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS’s
EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except
as required by paragraph (j)(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
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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206–231–
3667; email timothy.p.dowling@faa.gov.
(l) 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 2022–0111R1, dated July 26,
2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022–0111R1, 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
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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 August 11, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–17773 Filed 8–24–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1649; Project
Identifier AD–2022–00905–T]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company 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 The Boeing Company Model
747–8 and 747–8F series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report
that all six Integrated Display Units
(IDUs) became blank when new flight
plan data was entered in the Flight
Management System (FMS), and by a
determination that indication of
decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is
required. This proposed AD would
require installing updated software. 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 October 10,
2023.
SUMMARY:
You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
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–2023–1649; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\25AUP1.SGM
25AUP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58116-58120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17773]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00789-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that would have applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A319-115 airplanes;
Model A320-214, -216, -232, -251N, and -271N airplanes; and Model A321-
211, -231, -251N, -251NX, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, and -
272N airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by adding Model A321-213
airplanes, which were inadvertently left out of the applicability. The
FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the
unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an
additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting
comments on this SNPRM.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this SNPRM by October 10, 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-2023-0009; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and
[[Page 58117]]
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains the NPRM, this SNPRM, 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
that is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR) in this SNPRM,
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.eu. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0009.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 206-231-3667; 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-2023-0009; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00789-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 SNPRM.
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 SNPRM 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 SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. Submissions containing CBI should
be sent to Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3667;
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
The FAA issued AD 2020-05-16, Amendment 39-19866 (85 FR 15938,
March 20, 2020) (AD 2020-05-16) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-115
airplanes; Model A320-214, -216, -232, -251N, and -271N airplanes; and
Model A321-211, -231, -251N, -251NX, -253N, -271N, -271NX, and -272N
airplanes. AD 2020-05-16 requires a one-time detailed inspection of
certain attaching points on the left-hand and right-hand wings for the
correct installation of certain hardware, and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective actions. The FAA issued AD
2020-05-16 to address incomplete installations of the over wing panel
lug attachments in the production assembly line, which, if not detected
and corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.
The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to
supersede AD 2020-05-16 that would apply to certain Airbus SAS Model
A319-115 airplanes; Model A320-214, -216, -232, -251N, and -271N
airplanes; and Model A321-211, -231, -251N, -251NX, -252NX, -253N, -
253NX, -271N, -271NX, and -272N airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on January 13, 2023 (88 FR 2273). The NPRM was
prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2022-0111,
dated June 15, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0111) (also referred to as the MCAI)
to correct an unsafe condition identified as incomplete installations
of the overwing panel lug attachments. The NPRM proposed to continue to
require the actions in AD 2020-05-16 and to revise the applicability by
adding airplanes.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, it was determined that although the
serial numbers of the affected airplanes appear in Appendix 1 of EASA
AD 2022-0111, Model A321-213 airplanes were inadvertently left out of
the applicability of EASA AD 2022-0111. EASA has since revised AD 2022-
0111. EASA AD 2022-0111R1, dated July 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0111R1),
was issued because some reports highlighted the omission in the
Applicability of Model A321-213 airplanes, whereas the MSNs relevant to
this model were correctly listed in Appendix 1 of EASA AD 2022-0111
(among Group 1 aeroplanes). Consequently, EASA AD 2022-0111R1 includes
Model A321-213 airplanes in the Applicability. Paragraph (c) of this
proposed AD was therefore revised to include Model A321-213 airplanes
to match the applicability of EASA AD 2022-0111R1.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0009.
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Delta Air Lines (DAL).
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Add Exception To Correct Reference to Required Procedure
DAL requested that an exception be added to the proposed AD to
change the structural repair manual (SRM) reference specified in
paragraphs C.(2)(b)3.a and C.(4)(b)3.a of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1234, dated December
13, 2021, from SRM 51-11-13 to SRM 51-11-00. DAL stated that SRM task
51-11-13 details the process for damage reporting, while SRM task 51-
11-00 details the process for classifying damage, which is the required
task.
The FAA does not agree with the requested change because SRM 51-11-
13 references SRM 51-11-00, which includes the damage assessment
procedure. This proposed AD has not been changed regarding this
request.
[[Page 58118]]
Request To Add Exception To Allow Compliance Based on Alternate
Inspection for Certain Airplanes
DAL requested that an exception be added to allow compliance to be
taken for any Group 2 airplanes that have already been inspected using
Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A57N012-19 Rev 01, dated
April 18, 2019. DAL stated that the inspection specified in Airbus AOT
A57N012-19 Rev 01, dated April 18, 2019, is identical to the inspection
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A320-57-1234, dated December
13, 2021.
The FAA does not agree with this request. If the inspection
procedure provided in Airbus AOT A57N012-19 Rev 01, dated April 18,
2019, is the same as the required procedures in the Airbus SB A320-57-
1234, dated December 13, 2021, then accomplishing its procedure would
be the same as accomplishing procedures of the SB, therefore it meets
the mandatory action requirements of the AD. This proposed AD has not
been changed regarding this request.
Request To Add Compliance Time Grace Period for Certain Airplanes
DAL requested that the proposed AD include a compliance time grace
period of 6 months for the required actions specified in paragraph (2)
of EASA AD 2022-0111 because several airplanes will be immediately out
of compliance on the effective date of the AD. DAL noted that EASA AD
2022-0111 does not include any grace period for Group 2 airplanes and
that operators will require a grace period to update their
documentation and process to show compliance with the FAA AD.
The FAA agrees with changing the requested grace period to prevent
grounding of airplanes that have exceeded the maximum flight hours or
flight cycles. Paragraph (h)(5) of the proposed AD (in the NPRM)
included a 30-day grace period. However, a 6-month grace period would
be necessary to prevent the grounding of the airplanes that have
already exceeded 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight cycles, whichever
occurs first. Paragraph (h)(5) of this proposed AD has been changed to
specify a 6-month grace period. (Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0111R1
does not include a grace period.)
Request To Add a Certain Model to the Applicability
DAL requested that Airbus SAS Model A321-213 airplanes be added to
the applicability of the proposed AD because some of the serial numbers
listed in the appendix of the MCAI are Airbus SAS Model A321-213
airplanes, although that model does not appear in the Applicability
section of the MCAI.
The FAA agrees to add Airbus SAS Model A321-213 airplanes to the
applicability of this proposed AD. As stated previously, EASA AD 2022-
0111R1 was issued to correct the Applicability to include Model A321-
213 airplanes. Therefore, Airbus SAS Model A321-213 airplanes have been
added to paragraph (c) of this proposed AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0111R1 specifies procedures for a one-time detailed
inspection of certain attaching points on the left-hand and right-hand
wings for the correct installation of certain hardware (bolt, nut,
washer, and cotter pin), and, depending on findings, accomplishment of
applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions include installing
missing hardware, properly orienting hardware, and performing a damage
assessment for cracks and deformed parts in the event of missing
hardware, and repair. For certain airplanes, EASA AD 2022-0111R1 also
specifies reporting the inspection results to Airbus. 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
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 this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this SNPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.
Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a
result, it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this SNPRM.
Proposed AD Requirements in This SNPRM
This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2020-05-16.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2022-0111R1 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 2022-0111R1 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2022-0111R1 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 2022-0111R1 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 2022-
0111R1. Service information required by EASA AD 2022-0111R1 for
compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2023-0009 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 131 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 58119]]
Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................... $0 $170 $22,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product
to comply with the reporting requirement in this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA
estimates the cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S.
operators to be up to $11,135, or $85 per product.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 20 work-hours x $85 per Up to $77,850..... Up to $79,550.
hour = $1,700.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-05-16, Amendment 39-19866
(85 FR 15938, March 20, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2023-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00789-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 10, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-05-16, Amendment 39-19866 (85 FR 15938,
March 20, 2020) (AD 2020-05-16).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022-0111R1, dated July 26, 2023 (EASA AD 2022-0111R1).
(1) Model A319-115 airplanes.
(2) Model A320-214, -216, -232, -251N, and -271N airplanes.
(3) Model A321-211, -213, -231, -251N, -251NX, -252NX, -253N, -
253NX, -271N, -271NX, and -272N airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of incomplete installations of
the over wing panel lug attachments in the production
[[Page 58120]]
assembly line and a determination that additional airplanes are
subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address these incomplete installations. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing.
(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 2022-0111R1.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0111R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0111R1 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0111R1 refers to October 2, 2019 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0233, dated September 18, 2019), this
AD requires using April 24, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2020-05-
16).
(3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0111R1 specifies to ``or
contact Airbus for approved instructions, and within the compliance
time identified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly''
this AD requires replacing those words with ``or contact Airbus for
approved instructions, and within the compliance time identified
therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly, except if any
cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further
flight 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.''
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0111R1.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD specifies a compliance time
of ``before exceeding 14,000 flight hours or 7,000 flight cycles,
whichever occurs first since aeroplane first flight,'' this AD
requires replacing those words with ``before exceeding 14,000 flight
hours or 7,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs first since airplane
first flight; or within 6 months after the effective date of this
AD; whichever occurs later.''
(i) No Reporting Requirement for Certain Airplanes
For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in EASA AD 2022-0111R1,
this AD does not require reporting.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
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 International
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified
in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2020-05-16 are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0111R1 that
are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(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, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (j)(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 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy P. Dowling,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3667; email
[email protected].
(l) 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 2022-0111R1,
dated July 26, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0111R1, 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 August 11, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17773 Filed 8-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P