Rule2021-12301
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 10, 2021
Effective
June 25, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight turnback due to loss of green and blue hydraulic systems in cruise. This AD requires inspecting for discrepancies of the hydraulic pressure switch harnesses of affected engines, and applicable corrective actions, 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30753-30756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12301]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 30753]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0458; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00595-T;
Amendment 39-21602; AD 2021-12-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight turnback
due to loss of green and blue hydraulic systems in cruise. This AD
requires inspecting for discrepancies of the hydraulic pressure switch
harnesses of affected engines, and applicable corrective actions, 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 becomes effective June 25, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 25,
2021.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 26, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#df9e9bac9fbabeacbef1baaaadb0afbef1baaa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1150556251747062703f7464637e61703f7464">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You
may find this IBR material on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. You may view this IBR 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2021-0458.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0458; 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 AD, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc9aa0ada8a5a1a5bee299a0b5ada2a3ba8caaadade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="287e44494c4145415a067d44514946475e684e4949064f475e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0128, dated May 17, 2021 (EASA
AD 2021-0128) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F, A330-341, A330-342, and
A330-343 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report of a Model A330 airplane equipped
with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines that experienced an in-flight
turnback due to loss of green and blue hydraulic systems in cruise. On
the green hydraulic system, electronic centralized aircraft monitoring
(ECAM) warnings HYD G ENG 2 PUMP LO PR and G SYS LO PR were triggered,
resulting in loss of the green hydraulic system. On the blue hydraulic
system, ECAM warning HYD B ENG 1 PUMP LO PR was triggered, and the
flightcrew selected the blue hydraulic system engine-driven pump (EDP)
OFF, per flightcrew operating manual procedures. Subsequent inspections
of engine #1 revealed that during a previous maintenance shop visit,
and following partial re-routing of hydraulic harnesses, the blue and
green EDP pressure switch electrical connectors (4001JG2-A and 4001JG1-
A) were inadvertently cross connected. As a result, the blue hydraulic
system was declared faulty (ECAM message) in flight, when actually the
green hydraulic system had failed with low pressure. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the potential loss of two hydraulic systems (blue
and green) in flight, instead of only one (green), which could lead to
loss of all hydraulic circuits, possibly resulting in loss of control
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0128 specifies procedures for a general visual
inspection for discrepancies (including incorrect harness routing and
pump pressure connections) of the hydraulic pressure switch harnesses
of affected engines. EASA AD 2021-0128 also describes corrective
actions including a visual inspection to identify the clip points where
harnesses are not installed correctly, harness re-routing, and
hydraulic system testing. 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 the State of Design Authority,
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD
[[Page 30754]]
because the FAA evaluated all pertinent information and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2021-0128 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this 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 certain 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,
EASA AD 2021-0128 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD,
therefore, requires compliance with EASA AD 2021-0128 in its entirety,
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that
are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2021-
0128 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section.
For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions
and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not
limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance
Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2021-0128. Service information specified in EASA
AD 2021-0128 that is required for compliance with it is available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0458.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the loss of the blue and green hydraulic systems in flight
could lead to loss of all hydraulic circuits, possibly resulting in
loss of control of the airplane. Accordingly, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0458; Project Identifier MCAI-
2021-00595-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7f1cbc6c3cecaced589f2cbdec6c9c8d1e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d781bbb6b3bebabea5f982bbaeb6b9b8a197b1b6b6f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 56 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255........................... $0 $255 $14,280
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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:
[[Page 30755]]
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680.... $0 $680
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 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 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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of 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:
2021-12-15 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21602; Docket No. FAA-2021-0458;
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00595-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 25,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-243, A330-243F,
A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight turnback due to
loss of green and blue hydraulic systems in cruise. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the potential loss of the blue and green
hydraulic systems in flight, which could lead to loss of all
hydraulic circuits, possibly resulting in loss of control of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2021-0128, dated May 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0128).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0128
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0128 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0128 specifies actions
if ``discrepancies are found,'' for this AD ``discrepancies''
include incorrect harness routing and pump pressure connections.
(3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0128 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0128
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#350c1874636618747c67180206051874787a76755354541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a79e8ae6f1f48ae6eef58a9094978ae6eae8e4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus
SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); or Rolls-Royce's EASA
DOA. If approved by a DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021-0128 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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3229; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#13457f72777a7e7a613d467f6a727d7c65537572723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="77211b16131e1a1e0559221b0e161918013711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference
[[Page 30756]]
(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 2021-0128,
dated May 17, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021-0128, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3372774073565240521d5646415c43521d5646"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c6d685f6c494d5f4d0249595e435c4d024959">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>.
(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. This material may be found in the AD
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2021-0458.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cdaba8a9bfa8aae3a1a8aaaca18da3acbface3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a0c0f0e180f0d44060f0d0b062a040b180b440d051c">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on June 6, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12301 Filed 6-8-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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