Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

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Published
March 7, 2022
Effective
April 11, 2022
Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that in the event of a specific discrete wire failure, the landing gear extension and retraction system (LGERS) may not be able to complete landing gear retraction when commanded by moving the landing gear lever to the UP position. This AD requires revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) for the LGERS, 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 87 Issue 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12569-12571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1059; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00797-T; 
Amendment 39-21958; AD 2022-05-07]
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 A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
a report that in the event of a specific discrete wire failure, the 
landing gear extension and retraction system (LGERS) may not be able to 
complete landing gear retraction when commanded by moving the landing 
gear lever to the UP position. This AD requires revising the operator's 
existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) for the LGERS, 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 April 11, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 11, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For 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#a9e8eddae9ccc8dac887ccdcdbc6d9c887ccdc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6e7e2d5e6c3c7d5c788c3d3d4c9d6c788c3d3">[email&#160;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.

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-2021-1059; 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#abcfcac585d9c4cfc2c5caebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3551545b1b475a515c5b54755354541b525a43">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0161, dated July 6, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0161) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes.
    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 
A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on December 17, 2021 (86 FR 71587). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report that in the event of a specific discrete wire failure, the LGERS 
may not be able to complete landing gear retraction when commanded by 
moving the landing gear lever to the UP position. The NPRM proposed to 
require revising the operator's existing FAA-approved MEL for the 
LGERS, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0161.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety 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 2021-0161 describes procedures for revising the LGERS for 
master minimum equipment list

[[Page 12570]]

(MMEL) item 32-31-01. 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 19 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................              $0             $170           $3,230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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:

2022-05-07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21958; Docket No. FAA-2021-1059; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00797-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 11, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that in the event of a specific 
discrete wire failure, the landing gear extension and retraction 
system (LGERS) may not be able to complete landing gear retraction 
when commanded by moving the landing gear lever to the UP position. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which, if one 
engine is inoperative at takeoff, could lead to a reduction of the 
flight path clearance and possibly result in damage to the airplane 
and injury to occupants.

(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, EASA AD 2021-0161, dated July 6, 2021 (EASA AD 
2021-0161).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0161

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0161 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Whereas paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0161 specifies 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.
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0161 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) of this 
AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#edd4c0acbbbec0aca4bfc0dadeddc0aca0a2aead8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6b52462a3d38462a2239465c585b462a2624282b0d0a0a450c041d">[email&#160;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 (i)(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

[[Page 12571]]

changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of 
an AMOC.

(j) 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#06626768287469626f68674660676728616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81e5e0efaff3eee5e8efe0c1e7e0e0afe6eef7">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2021-0161, 
dated July 6, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0161, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e7f7a4d7e5b5f4d5f105b4b4c514e5f105b4b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cddd8efdcf9fdeffdb2f9e9eef3ecfdb2f9e9">[email&#160;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#5036227e393e2320353324393f3e103e3122317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88e9ac681869b988d8b9c818786a886899a89c68f879e">[email&#160;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 February 17, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04666 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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