Proposed Rule2022-06392
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
March 28, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain service information specified in AD 2018-20-19 contained instructions that could be misleading, resulting in a necessary inspection not being accomplished on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require a rototest for certain modified airplanes for any crack around the right- side upper and lower bulk door support or door latch fitting holes at certain bulk cargo door frames, or repetitive inspections for any crack at certain fittings, and on-condition 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 59 (Monday, March 28, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17198-17201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06392]
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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. 59 / Monday, March 28, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 17198]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0380; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01178-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 A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200
Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain service
information specified in AD 2018-20-19 contained instructions that
could be misleading, resulting in a necessary inspection not being
accomplished on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require a
rototest for certain modified airplanes for any crack around the right-
side upper and lower bulk door support or door latch fitting holes at
certain bulk cargo door frames, or repetitive inspections for any crack
at certain fittings, and on-condition 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 May 12,
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#5110152211343022307f3424233e21307f3424"><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>.
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-2022-0380; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5b2d373a3f32363229752e37223a35342d1b3d3a3a753c342d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8aeb4b9bcb1b5b1aaf6adb4a1b9b6b7ae98beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[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-2022-0380; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01178-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
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA,
International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9aecf6fbfef3f7f3e8b4eff6e3fbf4f5ecdafcfbfbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ee8f2fffaf7f3f7ecb0ebf2e7fff0f1e8def8ffffb0f9f1e8">[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 2021-0233, dated October 27, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0233) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series
airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-
300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that tartaric
sulfuric anodizing (TSA)/chromic acid anodizing (CAA) surface treatment
in the door fitting attachment holes leads to a detrimental effect on
fatigue behavior; and that certain service information specified in AD
2018-20-19, Amendment 39-19453 (83 FR 52126, October 16, 2018) (AD
2018-20-19) contains instructions that could be misleading, resulting
in a necessary inspection not being accomplished on certain airplanes.
The potentially
[[Page 17199]]
misleading instructions are for an optional action, and apply only to
model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 airplanes, therefore
this AD does not propose to supersede AD 2018-20-19. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address possible fatigue cracks in the bulk cargo
door frames, caused by TSA/CAA surface treatment in frame (FR) 67 and
FR 69 bulk cargo door frame attachment holes. Cracks in the bulk cargo
door frames can cause the in-flight loss of a bulk cargo door, damage
to the airplane, and subsequent reduced control of the airplane. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
AD 2018-20-19 superseded AD 2017-16-07, Amendment 39-18984 (82 FR
41874, September 5, 2017) (AD 2017-16-07), and applies to certain
Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter
series airplanes, Model A330-300 series airplanes, Model A340-200
series airplanes, and Model A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2018-20-19
was prompted by a determination that only airplanes having manufacturer
serial numbers (MSNs) 0400 through 1779 inclusive are affected by TSA/
CAA surface treatment in the door fitting attachment holes, and that
airplanes having MSNs 0001 through 0399 inclusive were excluded from AD
2017-16-07. AD 2018-20-19 requires new inspections of certain
attachment holes for residual surface treatment and cracking, and
corrective action if necessary; and provides an optional terminating
action for the inspections. Since AD 2018-20-09 was issued, it was
determined that the service bulletin used for the optional modification
on certain airplanes, Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3275, dated
September 8, 2017, contained instructions that could be misleading. As
a result, the special detailed inspection (rototest inspection) that
was intended to be accomplished prior to accomplishing the optional
modification may not have been accomplished on all airplanes. This
proposed AD would therefore require a rototest for any crack around the
holes at the holes of the upper and lower door support fittings of FR67
and FR69 on the right hand side and the holes at door latch fittings of
FR69 on the right hand side, or repetitive detailed inspections for
cracks of the frame around the fittings, or high frequency eddy current
(HFEC) and ultrasonic inspections of the upper door supper fitting
holes and rototests of the lower door fitting holes of the door latch
fittings at FR69, and on-condition actions.
These proposed actions would be required for Airbus SAS Model A330-
200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and
Model A330-300 series airplanes, MSN 1 through 1779 inclusive, on which
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3275 was embodied, except those
airplanes on which during the embodiment of that service bulletin the
rototest inspection was accomplished with no defect detected or any
defects corrected, as applicable, as specified in Airbus Service
Bulletin A330-53-3275.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0233 specifies procedures for a rototest for any crack
around the holes at the upper and lower door support fittings of frame
(FR)67 and FR69 right hand side and the holes at door latch fitting of
FR69 right hand side; or repetitive detailed inspections of the frame
around the fittings, or HFEC and ultrasonic inspections of the upper
door supper fitting holes and rototests of the lower door fitting holes
of the door latch fittings at FR69 for any crack; and on-condition
actions. On-condition actions include installing new (never installed
on an airplane) bushes to the latch fittings of FR69 and repair, and a
rototest of the support fittings and the frame holes at FR67.
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 these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2021-0233 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 2021-0233 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2021-0233 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 2021-0233 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-
0233. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0233 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-2022-0380 after the FAA final rule is
published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 109 airplanes
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 15 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 Up to $1,275............ Up to $138,975.
$1,275.
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[[Page 17200]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required or optional actions. The FAA has no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.... $1,915 $2,340
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs 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 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-2022-0380; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
01178-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 12, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2021-0233, dated October 27, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0233).
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
and -343 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that tartaric sulfuric
anodizing (TSA)/chromic acid anodizing (CAA) surface treatment in
the door fitting attachment holes leads to a detrimental effect on
fatigue behavior; and that certain service information specified in
AD 2018-20-19 contains instructions that could be misleading,
resulting in a necessary inspection not being accomplished on
certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible
fatigue cracks in the bulk cargo door frames, caused by TSA/CAA
surface treatment in frame (FR) 67 and FR 69 cargo door frame
attachment holes. Cracks in the bulk cargo door frames can cause the
in-flight loss of a bulk cargo door, damage to the airplane, and
subsequent reduced control 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, EASA AD 2021-0233.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0233
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0233 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0233 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0233 specifies to
``accomplish those instructions accordingly'' if discrepancies are
detected, for this AD a discrepancy is any crack, and if any
cracking is detected, the cracking 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.
(4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0233 specifies to
``contact Airbus for approved repair instructions,'' for this AD use
``accomplish corrective actions in accordance with the instructions
of the SB and contact the Manager, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA
DOA for approved repair instructions. If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature''
(5) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0233 specifies to do a check of the aircraft records for
accomplishment of certain service information, and specifies that
action as ``RC,'' (required for compliance), this AD does not
include that requirement.
(6) Where the Applicability section of EASA AD 2021-0233 refers
to ``defects,'' for this AD ``defects'' are cracks.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0233
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
[[Page 17201]]
(j) 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 (k)(2) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a99084e8fffa84e8e0fb849e9a9984e8e4e6eae9cfc8c887cec6df"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="340d1975626719757d66190307041975797b77745255551a535b42">[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
paragraphs (h)(3) and (4), (i), and (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
(1) For EASA AD 2021-0233, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#da9b9ea99abfbba9bbf4bfafa8b5aabbf4bfaf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9adbdee9dafffbe9fbb4ffefe8f5eafbb4ffef">[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-
2022-0380.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA,
International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9afb5b8bdb0b4b0abf7acb5a0b8b7b6af99bfb8b8f7beb6af"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33455f52575a5e5a411d465f4a525d5c45735552521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 22, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06392 Filed 3-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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