Proposed Rule2021-28510
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
January 12, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes 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). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main landing gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection (DET) of the affected area, and applicable corrective actions, 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 87 Issue 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1703-1706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28510]
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 12, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 1703]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1172; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00939-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 certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes 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). This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main landing
gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange. This proposed AD would require a
one-time detailed inspection (DET) of the affected area, and applicable
corrective actions, 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 February
28, 2022.
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#6021241320050113014e0515120f10014e0515"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4405003704212537256a2131362b34256a2131">[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 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-2021-1172.
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-2021-1172; 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, the
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f99d9897d78b969d909798b99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d494c43035f424944434c6d4b4c4c034a425b">[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-2021-1172; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-00939-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 Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f2b2e21613d202b26212e0f292e2e61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e286838ccc908d868b8c83a2848383cc858d94">[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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0190, dated August 17, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0190) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A300, A300-600, 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 cracking in the MLG
support rib 5 lower flange, inboard and outboard of rib 5, on the
right-hand and left-hand
[[Page 1704]]
sides. The cracking was found during routine maintenance checks on
airplanes that do not have Airbus modification 11912 embodied and on
which fastener hole spot facing modifications had been embodied in the
affected area. The FAA is proposing this AD to address cracking of the
MLG support rib 5 lower flange. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the airplane. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0190 specifies procedures for a DET of the affected
area, a one-time fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) around some
fastener holes in the affected area, and applicable corrective
action(s) including crack repair. 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
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to
exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0190 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 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 some 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, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2021-0190 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2021-0190 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 2021-0190 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-
0190. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0190 for compliance
will be available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1172 after the FAA final rule is
published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 124 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,955........................ $0 $1,955 $242,420
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The FAA estimates the following costs to replace any cracked rib
that would be required based on the results of any required actions and
repair status. 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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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 1,500 work-hours x $85 per hour = $127,500 $620,000 Up to $747,500.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repair specified in this proposed AD.
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
[[Page 1705]]
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-2021-1172; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
00939-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by February 28, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, without Airbus modification 11912 and identified in figure
1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP12JA22.025
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main landing
gear (MLG) support rib 5 lower flange, inboard and outboard of Rib
5, on the right-hand and left-hand sides. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address cracking of the MLG support rib 5 lower flange. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity 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
2021-0190, dated August 17, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0190).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0190
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0190 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0190 specifies to
``accomplish those instructions accordingly'' if any crack is
detected, for this AD if any crack is detected, the crack must be
repaired before further flight 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) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0190 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) Additional 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#b78e9af6e1e49af6fee59a8084879af6faf8f4f7d1d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d74600c1b1e600c041f607a7e7d600c00020e0d2b2c2c632a223b">[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 DOA. If
[[Page 1706]]
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced
in EASA AD 2021-0190 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021-0190, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97d6d3e4d7f2f6e4f6b9f2e2e5f8e7f6b9f2e2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="09484d7a496c687a68276c7c7b667968276c7c">[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 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-1172.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#492d2827673b262d202728092f2828672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d292c23633f222924232c0d2b2c2c632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 29, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-28510 Filed 1-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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