Rule2021-23870
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
November 3, 2021
Effective
December 8, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2020-21-05 required repetitive inspections of certain fuel pumps for cavitation erosion, replacement if necessary, revision of the operator's minimum equipment list (MEL), and accomplishment of certain maintenance actions related to defueling and ground fuel transfer operations. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-21-05, revises certain compliance times, and expands the applicability; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by reports of a fuel pump showing cavitation erosion that exposed the fuel pump power supply wires, and by a determination that certain compliance times need to be revised and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. 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 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60560-60563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23870]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0372; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01684-T;
Amendment 39-21681; AD 2021-16-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-
05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200,
A330-300, A330-900, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series
airplanes. AD 2020-21-05 required repetitive inspections of certain
fuel pumps for cavitation erosion, replacement if necessary, revision
of the operator's minimum equipment list (MEL), and accomplishment of
certain maintenance actions related to defueling and ground fuel
transfer operations. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-21-05,
revises certain compliance times, and expands the applicability; as
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which
is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by reports of a fuel
pump showing cavitation erosion that exposed the fuel pump power supply
wires, and by a determination that certain compliance times need to be
revised and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe
condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 8, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 8,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#febfba8dbe9b9f8d9fd09b8b8c918e9fd09b8b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2160655261444052400f4454534e51400f4454">[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-2021-0372.
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-
0372; 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, 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: 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#8bfde7eaefe2e6e2f9a5fee7f2eae5e4fdcbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6a0bab7b2bfbbbfa4f8a3baafb7b8b9a096b0b7b7f8b1b9a0">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0283, dated December 17, 2020;
corrected December 24, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0283) (also referred to as
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
[[Page 60561]]
Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all
Airbus SAS A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-223F, A330-243,
A330-243F, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323,
A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A330-743L, A330-841, A330-941, A340-211,
A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, A340-542,
A340-642 and A340-643 airplanes. Model 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 to supersede AD 2020-21-05, Amendment 39-21278 (85 FR
64963, October 14, 2020) (AD 2020-21-05). AD 2020-21-05 applied to all
Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A330-900,
A340-200, A340-300, A340-500 and A340-600 series. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on May 21, 2020 (86 FR 27540). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of a fuel pump showing cavitation erosion that
exposed the fuel pump power supply wires, and by a determination that
certain compliance times need to be revised and that additional
airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. The NPRM proposed to
retain the requirements of AD 2020-21-05, revise certain compliance
times, and expand the applicability, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0283.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address fuel pump erosion caused by
cavitation. If this condition is not addressed, a pump running dry
could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comments
received. P. Grande and The Air Line Pilots Association, International
(ALPA) indicated support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2020-0283 describes procedures for repetitive inspections
of all affected parts, replacement if necessary, updating of the
applicable Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), and certain
maintenance actions related to defueling and ground fuel transfer
operations.
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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 112 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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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Retained actions from AD 2020- Up to 72 work- $0 Up to $6,375......... Up to $714,000.
21-05. hours x $85 per
hour = Up to
$6,375.
New proposed actions.......... Up to 72 work- 0 Up to $6,375......... Up to $714,000.
hours x $85 per
hour = Up to
$6,375.
MEL revision.................. 1 work-hour x 0 $85.................. $9,520.
$85 = $85.
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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:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 126 work-hours x $85 per Up to $173,680.... Up to $184,390.
hour = Up to $10,710.
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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
[[Page 60562]]
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-05, Amendment 39-21278
(85 FR 64963, October 14, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2021-16-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21681; Docket No. FAA-2021-0372;
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01684-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 8, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-21-05, Amendment 39-21278 (85 FR 64963,
October 14, 2020) (AD 2020-21-05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, and identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this
AD.
(1) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(2) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
and -343 airplanes.
(4) Model A330-841 airplanes.
(5) Model A330-941 airplanes.
(6) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(7) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(8) Model A340-541 airplanes.
(9) Model A340-642 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of a fuel pump showing
cavitation erosion that exposed the fuel pump power supply wires,
and by a determination that certain compliance times need to be
revised and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe
condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fuel pump erosion
caused by cavitation. If this condition is not addressed, a pump
running dry could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent
loss 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
2020-0283, dated December 17, 2020; corrected December 24, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0283).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0283
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0283 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to the master minimum
equipment list (MMEL), this AD refers to the operator's existing
minimum equipment list (MEL).
(4) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to ``13 December 2019 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0291 at original issue],'' this AD
requires using ``November 18, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-
21-05).''
(5) Where EASA AD 2020-0283 refers to ``17 November 2017 [the
effective date of EASA AD 2017-0224],'' this AD requires using
``December 29, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-25-16, Amendment
39-19130 (82 FR 58718, December 14, 2017) (AD 2017-25-16)).''
(6) Where paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) of EASA AD 2020-0283
specify to ``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the
aeroplane accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as
those actions are already required by existing FAA operating
regulations.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0283
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#51687c1007027c1018037c6662617c101c1e12113730307f363e27"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="774e5a3621245a363e255a4044475a363a38343711161659101801">[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 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.
(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#bbcdd7dadfd2d6d2c995ced7c2dad5d4cdfbdddada95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="baccd6dbded3d7d3c894cfd6c3dbd4d5ccfadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[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 2020-0283,
dated December 17, 2020; corrected December 24, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2020-0283, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#80c1c4f3c0e5e1f3e1aee5f5f2eff0e1aee5f5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f1e1b2c1f3a3e2c3e713a2a2d302f3e713a2a">[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
[[Page 60563]]
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-2021-0372.
(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#80e6e5e4f2e5e7aeece5e7e1ecc0eee1f2e1aee7eff6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a2c2f2e382f2d64262f2d2b260a242b382b642d253c">[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 July 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-23870 Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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