Proposed Rule2021-21786
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
October 6, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the fire shut- off valves (FSOV) actuator, which was found to rotate around its pivot axis. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the FSOV actuator for rotation around its pivot axis, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 191 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55542-55545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21786]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0668; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00457-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Airbus SAS Model A300
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series
airplanes); and Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the fire shut-
off valves (FSOV) actuator, which was found to rotate around its pivot
axis. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of
the FSOV actuator for rotation around its pivot axis, and replacement
if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 November
22, 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 that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96d7d2e5d6f3f7e5f7b8f3e3e4f9e6f7b8f3e3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82c3c6f1c2e7e3f1e3ace7f7f0edf2e3ace7f7">[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 on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0668.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0668; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87e3e6e9a9f5e8e3eee9e6c7e1e6e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="26424748085449424f48476640474708414950">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2021-0668; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-00457-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
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<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 proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dbbfbab5f5a9b4bfb2b5ba9bbdbabaf5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4c0c5ca8ad6cbc0cdcac5e4c2c5c58ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>. Any
commentary that the FAA
[[Page 55543]]
receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in
the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0106, dated April 15, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0106) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A300, A310, A300-600 series airplanes, and
A300-600ST airplanes. Model A300-600ST airplanes are not certificated
by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data
sheet; this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the
applicability.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation
of the FSOV actuator, which was found to rotate around its pivot axis.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address incorrect installation of the
FSOV actuator. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to FSOV
failure, and consequent risk of a temporary uncontrolled engine fire,
possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the airplane.
See the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0106 describes procedures for a one-time detailed
inspection of the FSOV actuator for rotation around its pivot axis, and
replacement. EASA AD 2021-0106 also describes procedures for reporting
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 and Requirements of This Proposed AD
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 proposing this AD because the FAA
evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other
products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0106 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 2021-0106 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final
rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA
AD 2021-0106 in its entirety, through that incorporation, except for
any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a
particular section in EASA AD 2021-0106 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-
0106. Service information specified in EASA AD 2021-0106 that is
required for compliance with it will be available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0668 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 128 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................. $0 $85 $10,880
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* 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 proposed 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 $10,880, or $85 per product.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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 this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.... $28,000 $28,255
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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 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 control
number for the collection of information
[[Page 55544]]
required by this proposed AD is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost
associated with this proposed AD has been detailed in the Costs of
Compliance section of this document and includes time for reviewing
instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Therefore, all reporting associated with this proposed AD
is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and
suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0668; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
00457-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 22, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(5) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic
power.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of the
fire shut-off valves (FSOV) actuator, which was found to rotate
around its pivot axis. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
incorrect installation of the FSOV actuator. This condition, if not
addressed, could lead to FSOV failure, and consequent risk of a
temporary uncontrolled engine fire, possibly resulting in damage to,
and reduced 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
2021-0106, dated April 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0106).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0106
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0106 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0106 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0106 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)(3)(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 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD.
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0106 specifies to send the FSOV actuator for repair if it moves
(rotates around its pivot axis) during the inspection, this AD
requires replacing any FSOV actuator that moves (rotates around its
pivot axis) during the inspection with a serviceable actuator, as
specified in EASA AD 2021-0106.
(i) 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 (j)(2) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9d0c4a8bfbac4a8a0bbc4dedad9c4a8a4a6aaa98f8888c78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8e1f5998e8bf599918af5efebe8f59995979b98beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[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). If approved by the
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraphs (i)(2) and (h)(4) of this AD, if any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021-0106 contains paragraphs that are labeled
as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs
under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply
[[Page 55545]]
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.
(4) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: 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 be 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 as
required by this AD. 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For information about EASA AD 2021-0106 contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e3a2a790a386829082cd8696918c9382cd8696"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="08494c7b486d697b69266d7d7a677869266d7d">[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>. 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 on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0668.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9efafff0b0ecf1faf7f0ffdef8ffffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5337323d7d213c373a3d32133532327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on August 12, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21786 Filed 10-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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