Proposed Rule2021-22785
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 22, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-16-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of affected cargo door seals (both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, the FAA determined that improved cargo door seals must be installed to address the unsafe condition, and that certain flight operations must be limited until the improved cargo door seals are installed. In addition, the FAA has issued a new AD to address the OEM parts. This proposed AD would limit the applicability to airplanes that have certain PMA parts installed. This proposed AD would retain certain actions required by AD 2020-16-01 and require replacing certain forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on the cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain routes. 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 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58597-58600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22785]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 202 / Friday, October 22, 2021 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 58597]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0883; Project Identifier AD-2021-00307-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020-16-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and
greasing of affected cargo door seals (both original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts). Since
the FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, the FAA determined that improved cargo
door seals must be installed to address the unsafe condition, and that
certain flight operations must be limited until the improved cargo door
seals are installed. In addition, the FAA has issued a new AD to
address the OEM parts. This proposed AD would limit the applicability
to airplanes that have certain PMA parts installed. This proposed AD
would retain certain actions required by AD 2020-16-01 and require
replacing certain forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new
seals and installing a placard on the cargo compartment doors; and for
certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain
routes. 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 December 6,
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 Airbus service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No:
2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8deceeeee2f8e3f9a3ece4fffae2fff9e5a0e8ecfecdece4ffeff8fea3eee2e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f2e2c2c203a213b612e263d38203d3b27622a2e3c0f2e263d2d3a3c612c2022">[email protected]</span></a>; internet <a href="https://www.airbus.com">https://www.airbus.com</a>. For EASA material identified in this NPRM, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7233360132171301135c1707001d02135c1707"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1c192e1d383c2e3c7338282f322d3c733828">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You
may find this material on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
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-2021-0883; 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: John Marshall, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5524; fax: 404-474-5606; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eea4818680c0bcc0a38f9c9d868f8282ae888f8fc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b61444345057905664a5958434a47476b4d4a4a054c445d">[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-2021-0883; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00307-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<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 NPRM.
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 John
Marshall, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO
Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5524; fax: 404-474-5606; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92d8fdfafcbcc0bcdff3e0e1faf3fefed2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="feb4919690d0acd0b39f8c8d969f9292be989f9fd0999188">[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.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185 (85 FR 47013,
August 4, 2020) (AD 2020-16-01), for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD
[[Page 58598]]
2020-16-01 was prompted by reports of low halon concentration in the
forward and aft cargo compartments due to air leakage through cargo
door seals. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of
forward and aft cargo door seals having part number (P/N)
D5237106020000, D5237106020200, D5237106020400, D5237300120000, or
D5237300120200 (OEM parts); bulk cargo door seals having P/N
D5237200220000 or D5237200220200 (OEM parts); and forward and aft cargo
door seals P/N D5237106020400S, approved under PMA PQ1715CE (PMA part).
The agency issued AD 2020-16-01 to address low halon concentration,
which, if not addressed, could affect the fire extinguishing system
efficiency in the cargo compartments and possibly result in failure of
the system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
The FAA has also issued AD 2021-18-04, Amendment 39-21705 (86 FR
51265, September 15, 2021) (AD 2021-18-04), which applies to all Airbus
SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes and addresses the
OEM parts. That AD requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of
affected OEM cargo door seals; replacing certain forward, aft, and bulk
cargo compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on
the cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an
operational limitation for certain routes. Paragraph (h)(2) of AD 2021-
18-04 explains conditions under which operators will no longer need to
show compliance with certain requirements of AD 2020-16-01 for affected
OEM parts. AD 2021-18-04 also states that the FAA is considering
additional rulemaking to require replacement of PMA cargo door seals
approved for the type design forward and aft cargo compartment door
seal P/N D5237106020400, including but not limited to PMA P/N
D5237106020400S.
The FAA has determined additional rulemaking is necessary to
require replacement of PMA P/N D5237106020400S with improved cargo door
seals and to limit certain flight operations until the improved cargo
door seals are installed. This NPRM addresses the identified unsafe
condition for PMA forward and aft cargo door seals approved for the
type design forward and aft cargo compartment door seal P/N
D5237106020400, including but not limited to PMA P/N D5237106020400S.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1195, Revision 01,
dated December 15, 2020, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1196,
dated October 12, 2020. This service information specifies procedures
for replacing the forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new
seals, among other actions, and installing a placard on the cargo
compartment doors. These documents are distinct since they apply to
different airplane models.
This proposed AD also requires European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0049, dated February 18, 2021, which the Director
of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of
October 20, 2021 (86 FR 51265, September 15, 2021).
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive cleaning and
greasing, and would require replacing certain PMA forward and aft cargo
compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on the
cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an
operational limitation for certain routes.
Explanation of Service Information
Although the service information described previously specifies
replacing OEM parts, PMA parts are similar in design to the OEM parts;
therefore the service information may be used for airplanes on which
the PMA parts are installed. However, if the service information cannot
be used, operators may request an alternative method of compliance in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,768 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning and greasing (retained 1 work-hour x $85 $0.................... $85, per cleaning/ $150,280, per
actions from AD 2020-16-01). per hour = $85, greasing cycle. cleaning/
per cleaning/ greasing cycle.
greasing cycle.
Cargo door seal replacement and 8 work-hours x Up to $5,680.......... Up to $6,360..... Up to
placard installation (new $85 per hour = $11,244,480.
proposed action). $680.
Operational limitation 1 work-hour x $85 $0.................... $85.............. Up to $150,280
implementation (e.g., revising per hour = $85. (Group 3
the airplane flight manual) airplanes only).
(new proposed action).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 58599]]
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185
(85 FR 47013, August 4, 2020), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0883; Project Identifier AD-2021-
00307-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 6, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185 (85 FR 47013,
August 4, 2020) (AD 2020-16-01).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category, equipped with any parts manufacturer approval (PMA) part
approved for the type design forward and aft cargo compartment door
seal part number (P/N) D5237106020400, including but not limited to
PMA P/N D5237106020400S.
(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, -215, -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.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
protection; 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of low halon concentration in
the forward and aft cargo compartments due to air leakage through
cargo compartment door seals, and the certification of improved
cargo compartment door seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
low halon concentration. This condition, if not corrected, could
affect the fire extinguishing system efficiency in the cargo
compartments, possibly resulting in failure of the system to contain
a cargo compartment fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definition
For the purposes of this AD, a ``PMA part'' is defined as any
PMA part approved for the type design forward and aft cargo
compartment door seal P/N D5237106020400, including but not limited
to PMA P/N D5237106020400S.
(h) Retained Cleaning and Greasing, With Revised Compliance Language
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2020-16-01, with revised compliance language. Within 6 months after
the airplane date of manufacture, or 3 months after August 19, 2020
(the effective date of AD 2020-16-01), whichever occurs later, and,
thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 6 months, clean and grease
each PMA part, in accordance with the instructions specified in
paragraph (1) or (2) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
AD 2021-0049, dated February 18, 2021. Accomplishing the actions
required by paragraph (i) of this AD on an airplane terminates the
actions required by this paragraph for that airplane only, and for
the specific cargo door locations with PMA parts only.
(i) Modification
Within 96 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the seals of the PMA part with new seals and install a placard on
the cargo compartment doors, in accordance with the method specified
in paragraph (i)(1) or (2) of this AD. Accomplishing the actions
required by this paragraph terminates the actions required by
paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane only, and for the
specific cargo door locations where PMA parts were replaced only.
(1) Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1195, Revision 01,
dated December 15, 2020, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1196,
dated October 12, 2020, as applicable, except where the procedures
refer to P/N D5237106020400, those procedures must be used for the
PMA part.
(2) Do the actions in accordance with the procedures specified
in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.
(j) Operational Limitation
For Model A319 airplanes on which Airbus mod 26402, mod 34881 or
mod 34882 has been embodied in production, or Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-26-1066 or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1076 has
been embodied in service: As of 9 months after the effective date of
this AD, or upon the accumulation of 1,600 flight hours by the
airplane after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, do not operate an airplane over a route having a point with a
diversion time of more than 60 minutes, unless that airplane has
been modified as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Amending the
existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) of the airplane by inserting a
copy of this AD, and restricting operations to routes having
diversion times of 60 minutes or less, is an acceptable method to
comply with the operational limitation requirement for that
airplane. After modification of an airplane as required by this
paragraph (i) of this AD, this limitation is no longer required and
can be removed from the AFM of that airplane.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Technical Adaption 80774334/
003/2020, Issue 1, dated April 1, 2020.
(2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using EASA AD 2020-0133, dated June 10,
2020.
(3) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in
paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1195, dated October 12, 2020.
(l) Parts Installation Prohibition
Do not install a PMA part, or a door equipped with a PMA part,
on any airplane, as required by paragraph (l)(1) or (2) of this AD,
as applicable.
(1) For airplanes with a PMA part installed as of the effective
date of this AD: After modification of the airplane as required by
paragraph (i) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that do not have a PMA part installed as of
the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.
(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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
[[Page 58600]]
14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or
responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the certification office,
send it to the attention of the person identified in Related
Information.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) 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, Atlanta ACO
Branch, FAA.
(4) Required for compliance (RC): Except as specified by
paragraph (m)(3) of this AD, if any service information contains
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(n) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact John Marshall,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5524; fax:
404-474-5606; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#470d282f296915690a2635342f262b2b0721262669202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b71545355156915765a4948535a57577b5d5a5a155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD,
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93
36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93f2f0f0fce6fde7bdf2fae1e4fce1e7fbbef6f2e0d3f2fae1f1e6e0bdf0fcfe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e1e3e3eff5eef4aee1e9f2f7eff2f4e8ade5e1f3c0e1e9f2e2f5f3aee3efed">[email protected]</span></a>;
internet <a href="https://www.airbus.com">https://www.airbus.com</a>. For EASA material identified 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#abeaefd8ebcecad8ca85ceded9c4dbca85cede"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94d5d0e7d4f1f5e7f5baf1e1e6fbe4f5baf1e1">[email protected]</span></a>;
internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA
website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. You may view this referenced
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195.
Issued on October 14, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22785 Filed 10-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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