Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes, 86032-86034 [2023-27116]
Download as PDF
86032
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
(3) The following service information was
approved for IBR on January 16, 2024.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2023–0100, dated May 11, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following service information was
approved for IBR on May 12, 2023 (88 FR
20741, April 7, 2023).
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022–0136, dated July 6, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For EASA ADs 2022–0136 and 2023–
0100, 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 these
EASA ADs on the EASA website:
ad.easa.europa.eu.
(6) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th
Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 206–231–3195.
(7) You may view this material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on November 9, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–27117 Filed 12–11–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1815; Project
Identifier MCAI–2023–00581–T; Amendment
39–22606; AD 2023–23–04]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A321–111, –112,
–131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232
airplanes. This AD was prompted by
stress analysis results indicating that
cracks may appear in the center wing
box at frame 42 and slanted junction
areas. This AD requires a one-time
inspection of the center wing box at
frame 42 and slanted junction areas, and
applicable corrective actions, if
necessary, as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD, which is incorporated by reference.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:47 Dec 11, 2023
Jkt 262001
The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 16,
2024.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of January 16, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–1815; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this final rule, the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), any comments received, and
other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For material incorporated by
reference in this AD, 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.
• You may view this material at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
It is also available in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2023–1815.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206–
231–3667; email: timothy.p.dowling@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
that cracks may appear in the center
wing box at frame 42 and slanted
junction areas of the affected airplanes.
Cracks may appear due to the high
fatigue stress in affected areas.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require a one-time inspection of the
center wing box at frame 42 and slanted
junction areas, and applicable corrective
actions, if necessary, as specified in
EASA AD 2023–0074. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect potential
cracks in the center wing box at frame
42 and slanted junction areas. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could affect the structural integrity of
the fuselage.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA–2023–1815.
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to all Airbus SAS Model A321–
111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231,
and –232 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
September 6, 2023 (88 FR 60908). The
NPRM was prompted by AD 2023–0074,
dated April 5, 2023, issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union
(EASA AD 2023–0074) (also referred to
as the MCAI). The MCAI states that
stress analysis results from A321 XLR
certification and fatigue and damage
tolerance harmonization have revealed
EASA AD 2023–0074 specifies
procedures for one-time rototest and
high frequency eddy current inspections
for cracks of the center wing box rear
lower spar junction area at frame 42; a
rototest inspection for cracks of the
frame 42 slanted beam connection; a
detailed visual inspection of certain
fasteners for damage; and applicable
corrective actions. Corrective actions
include obtaining and following
instructions for crack repair and
replacing damaged fasteners. 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Discussion of Final Airworthiness
Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on
the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
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
reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety requires
adopting this AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on this
product. Except for minor editorial
changes, this AD is adopted as proposed
in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any
operator.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
E:\FR\FM\12DER1.SGM
12DER1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
Interim Action
Costs of Compliance
The FAA considers that this AD is an
interim action. If final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider
further rulemaking then.
The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 657 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs
to comply with this AD:
86033
ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Up to 25 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $2,125 ..............................................
* $0
Up to $2,125 ..........
Cost on U.S.
operators
Up to $1,396,125.
* Additional work will be required if repairs are needed. Inspection results will determine extent (time and materials) of repair costs.
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost estimates
for the on-condition actions specified in
this AD.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
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 currently 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:47 Dec 11, 2023
Jkt 262001
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
This AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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:
■
2023–23–04 Airbus SAS: Amendment
39–22606; Docket No. FAA–2023–1815;
Project Identifier CAI–2023–00581–T.
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective January 16, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model
A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213,
–231, and –232 airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by stress analysis
results indicating that cracks may appear in
the center wing box at frame 42 and slanted
junction areas. The FAA is issuing this AD
to detect potential cracks in the center wing
box at frame 42 and slanted junction areas.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
affect the structural integrity of the fuselage.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023–0074, dated
April 5, 2023 (EASA AD 2023–0074).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0074
(1) Where EASA AD 2023–0074 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2023–0074 specifies
to comply with ‘‘the instructions of the
AOT,’’ this AD requires compliance with the
procedures marked as required for
compliance (RC) in the Alert Operators
Transmission (AOT).
(3) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’
section of EASA AD 2023–0074.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023–
0074 specifies to ‘‘contact Airbus for
approved repair instructions and, within the
compliance time specified therein,
accomplish those instructions accordingly,’’
for this AD, if any cracking is detected, the
cracking must be repaired before further
flight using a method approved by the
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86034
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
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.
(5) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023–0074
specifies to report inspection results to
Airbus within a certain compliance time. For
this AD, report inspection results at the
applicable time specified in paragraph
(h)(5)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after
the effective date of this AD: Submit the
report within 90 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the
effective date of this AD: Submit the report
within 90 days after the effective date of this
AD.
(6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023–
0074 refers to a ferry flight, a special flight
permit may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 provided the
operators comply with the provisions
specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023–
0074.
(i) 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 (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
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 paragraphs (h)(2) and (i)(2) of
this AD, if any service information referenced
in EASA AD 2023–0074 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:47 Dec 11, 2023
Jkt 262001
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone 206–231–
3667; email: timothy.p.dowling@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 2023–0074, dated April 5, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023–0074, 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 material at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
(5) You may view this material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on November 9, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–27116 Filed 12–11–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1881; Project
Identifier MCAI–2023–00495–T; Amendment
39–22609; AD 2023–23–07]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Deutsche
Aircraft GmbH (Type Certificate
Previously Held by 328 Support
Services GmbH; AvCraft Aerospace
GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH;
Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328–100
and 328–300 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a manufacturer’s design
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
review, which identified a potential risk
of the rudder control rod buckling
during operation with one engine
inoperative during take-off and landing
phases. This AD requires visually
inspecting the rudder control rod,
performing a one-time functional check
of the rudder control rod, performing
corrective actions if necessary, and
reporting the inspection results, as
specified in a European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is
incorporated by reference. This AD also
limits the installation of affected parts
under certain conditions. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 16,
2024.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of January 16, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2023–1881; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this final rule, the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), any comments received, and
other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For material incorporated by
reference in this AD, 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.
• You may view this material at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
It is also available in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–
2023–1881.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 206–231–3228; email
todd.thompson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
E:\FR\FM\12DER1.SGM
12DER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 86032-86034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27116]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1815; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00581-T;
Amendment 39-22606; AD 2023-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232
airplanes. This AD was prompted by stress analysis results indicating
that cracks may appear in the center wing box at frame 42 and slanted
junction areas. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the center
wing box at frame 42 and slanted junction areas, and applicable
corrective actions, if necessary, as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 16, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 16,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1815; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For material incorporated by reference in this AD, 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.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1815.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-
231-3667; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model
A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 6, 2023 (88 FR
60908). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0074, dated April 5, 2023,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (EASA AD 2023-0074) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI states that stress analysis results from A321 XLR
certification and fatigue and damage tolerance harmonization have
revealed that cracks may appear in the center wing box at frame 42 and
slanted junction areas of the affected airplanes. Cracks may appear due
to the high fatigue stress in affected areas.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of
the center wing box at frame 42 and slanted junction areas, and
applicable corrective actions, if necessary, as specified in EASA AD
2023-0074. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect potential cracks in the
center wing box at frame 42 and slanted junction areas. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could affect the structural integrity of
the fuselage.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1815.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
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 reviewed the relevant data and determined
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product.
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any
operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2023-0074 specifies procedures for one-time rototest and
high frequency eddy current inspections for cracks of the center wing
box rear lower spar junction area at frame 42; a rototest inspection
for cracks of the frame 42 slanted beam connection; a detailed visual
inspection of certain fasteners for damage; and applicable corrective
actions. Corrective actions include obtaining and following
instructions for crack repair and replacing damaged fasteners. 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.
[[Page 86033]]
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. If final
action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking
then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 657 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 25 work-hours x $85 per * $0 Up to $2,125................ Up to $1,396,125.
hour = Up to $2,125.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Additional work will be required if repairs are needed. Inspection results will determine extent (time and
materials) of repair costs.
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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 currently 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2023-23-04 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22606; Docket No. FAA-2023-
1815; Project Identifier CAI-2023-00581-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 16, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -
211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by stress analysis results indicating that
cracks may appear in the center wing box at frame 42 and slanted
junction areas. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect potential
cracks in the center wing box at frame 42 and slanted junction
areas. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the
structural integrity of the fuselage.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2023-0074, dated April 5, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0074).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0074
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0074 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0074 specifies to comply with ``the
instructions of the AOT,'' this AD requires compliance with the
procedures marked as required for compliance (RC) in the Alert
Operators Transmission (AOT).
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0074.
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0074 specifies to
``contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the
compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions
accordingly,'' for this AD, if any cracking is detected, the
cracking must be repaired before further flight using a method
approved by the
[[Page 86034]]
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.
(5) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0074 specifies to report
inspection results to Airbus within a certain compliance time. For
this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified
in paragraph (h)(5)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the effective date
of this AD.
(6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0074 refers to a ferry
flight, a special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 provided the operators comply with the
provisions specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0074.
(i) 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 (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 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
paragraphs (h)(2) and (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2023-0074 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 Tim Dowling,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone 206-231-3667; 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 2023-0074,
dated April 5, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0074, 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 material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on November 9, 2023.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-27116 Filed 12-11-23; 8:45 am]
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