Rule2021-22225
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 14, 2021
Effective
November 18, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600, and A380-800 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that repetitive disconnection and reconnection of certain batteries during airplane parking or storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of those batteries. This AD requires replacing certain nickel-cadmium (Ni- Cd) batteries with serviceable Ni-Cd batteries, or maintaining the electrical storage capacity of those Ni-Cd batteries during airplane storage or parking, 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 196 (Thursday, October 14, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 196 (Thursday, October 14, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57025-57027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22225]
[[Page 57025]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0350; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01633-T;
Amendment 39-21746; AD 2021-20-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter,
A330-300, A330-800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600,
and A380-800 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that
repetitive disconnection and reconnection of certain batteries during
airplane parking or storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of
those batteries. This AD requires replacing certain nickel-cadmium (Ni-
Cd) batteries with serviceable Ni-Cd batteries, or maintaining the
electrical storage capacity of those Ni-Cd batteries during airplane
storage or parking, 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 November 18, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 18,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For EASA 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#bdfcf9cefdd8dccedc93d8c8cfd2cddc93d8c8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a1b1e291a3f3b293b743f2f28352a3b743f2f">[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 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-2021-0350.
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-2021-0350; 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.
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#7115101f5f031e15181f10311710105f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa9e9b94d488959e93949bba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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 2020-0274, dated December 10, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0274) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all:
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes;
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -
132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes;
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -
232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes;
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -
231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX,
-272N, and -272NX airplanes;
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243,
-243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -743L, -
841, and -941 airplanes;
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -
541, -542, -642, and -643 airplanes; and
<bullet> Airbus SAS Model A380-841, -842, and -861 airplanes.
Model A320-215, A330-743L, A340-542, and A340-643 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.
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
A318, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A330-
800, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600, and A380-800
series airplanes.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2021 (86 FR
25810). The NPRM was prompted by a report that repetitive disconnection
and reconnection of certain Ni-Cd batteries during airplane parking or
storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of those batteries. The
NPRM proposed to require replacing certain Ni-Cd batteries with
serviceable Ni-Cd batteries, or maintaining the electrical storage
capacity of those Ni-Cd batteries during airplane storage or parking,
as specified in EASA 2020-0274.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address reduced capacity of certain
Ni-Cd batteries, which could lead to reduced battery endurance
performance and possibly result in failure to supply the minimum
essential electrical power during abnormal or emergency conditions. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from one commenter, Delta Air
Lines. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the
FAA's response to each comment.
Request for Clarification on the Method of Compliance
Delta Air Lines stated that it included the procedures for on-wing
preservation of the batteries specified in the service information into
its maintenance program work cards. Paragraph 5.2 of the service
information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0274 describes the on-wing
preservation procedure and the procedures are detailed in Appendix 2 of
the referenced service information. Delta Air Lines noted that the
procedure was not directly marked as Required for Compliance (RC) in
either paragraph 5.2 or Appendix 2, but is referenced in another
paragraph marked as ``RC.'' Delta Air Lines asked that the AD clarify
the method of compliance with the preservation procedures,
specifically, if incorporation of the procedures into routine
maintenance program work cards is acceptable for AD compliance.
The FAA agrees that the incorporation of the procedures into
routine maintenance program work cards does meet the intent of the AD
and is, therefore, an acceptable means of
[[Page 57026]]
compliance. The FAA has not changed this AD as a result of this
comment.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
requires adopting this AD as proposed. 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. Accordingly,
the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2020-0274 specifies procedures for replacing certain
affected Ni-Cd batteries with serviceable Ni-Cd batteries, or
maintaining the electrical storage capacity of those Ni-Cd batteries
during airplane storage or parking. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,814 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425........................... $0 $425 $770,950
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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
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.
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:
2021-20-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21746; Docket No. FAA-2021-0350;
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01633-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 18,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (7) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N,
and -272NX airplanes.
(5) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -841, and -941
airplanes.
(6) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642
airplanes.
(7) Model A380-841, -842, and -861 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that repetitive disconnection
and reconnection of certain nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries during
airplane parking or storage could lead to a reduction in capacity of
those batteries. The FAA is issuing this AD to address reduced
capacity of certain Ni-Cd batteries, which could lead to reduced
battery endurance performance and possibly result in failure to
supply the minimum essential electrical power during abnormal or
emergency conditions.
(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
2020-0274, dated December 10, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0274).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0274
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0274 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2020-0274 defines a ``reconnection cycle'' as
``repeated disconnection and connection of a battery . . . ,'' this
AD defines it as ``one instance of disconnection and connection of a
battery. . . .''
(3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0274 does not apply
to this AD.
[[Page 57027]]
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0274
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#9ba2b6dacdc8b6dad2c9b6aca8abb6dad6d4d8dbfdfafab5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="350c1874636618747c67180206051874787a76755354541b525a43">[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
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced
in EASA AD 2020-0274 that 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 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#2541444b0b574a414c4b44654344440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="26424748085449424f48476640474708414950">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 2020-0274,
dated December 10, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2020-0274, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d0c093e0d282c3e2c6328383f223d2c632838"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f6e6b5c6f4a4e5c4e014a5a5d405f4e014a5a">[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.
(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#eb8d99c58285989b8e889f828485ab858a998ac58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f49286da9d9a87849197809d9b9ab49a958695da939b82">[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 October 6, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22225 Filed 10-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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