Proposed Rule2022-12935
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
June 16, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to remove Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020- 25-03, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-25-03 requires repetitive checks of the pressure gauges on the inflation reservoir of each emergency escape slide/raft to determine the amount of pressure, and applicable corrective actions. AD 2020-25-03 also provides optional terminating action for the repetitive checks. AD 2020-25-03 is no longer necessary because the unsafe condition no longer exists. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to remove AD 2020-25-03.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 116 (Thursday, June 16, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 116 (Thursday, June 16, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36274-36276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12935]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1105; Project Identifier AD-2020-01459-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 remove Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-
25-03, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes. AD 2020-25-03 requires repetitive checks of the
pressure gauges on the inflation reservoir of each emergency escape
slide/raft to determine the amount of pressure, and applicable
corrective actions. AD 2020-25-03 also provides optional terminating
action for the repetitive checks. AD 2020-25-03 is no longer necessary
because the unsafe condition no longer exists. Accordingly, the FAA
proposes to remove AD 2020-25-03.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 1,
2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
[[Page 36275]]
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.
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-2020-1105; 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 proposed AD, 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, 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#8aceebe4a4d8e5eee3e4ebcaecebeba4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2266434c0c704d464b4c43624443430c454d54">[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-2020-1105; Project Identifier
AD-2020-01459-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
the 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 proposed AD.
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, 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#7d391c13532f121914131c3d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="77331619592518131e19163711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>. Any
commentary that the FAA receives that 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, previously issued AD 2020-0236, dated October 27, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0236) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -
113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes;
Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N,
-253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321 series
airplanes.
The FAA issued corresponding AD 2020-25-03, Amendment 39-21345 (85
FR 79415, December 10, 2020) (AD 2020-25-03), for those airplanes
except for Model A319-153N and A320-215 airplanes, which are not
included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet. AD 2020-25-03
requires repetitive checks of the pressure gauges on the inflation
reservoir of each emergency escape slide/raft to determine the amount
of pressure, and applicable corrective actions. AD 2020-25-03 also
provides optional terminating action for the repetitive checks. AD
2020-25-03 was prompted by a report of a loud bang heard during
airplane boarding. A subsequent inspection revealed that one emergency
escape slide/raft was found with zero reservoir pressure due to a burst
rupture disk assembly in the inflation reservoir, which was probably
caused by a manufacturing defect. The FAA issued AD 2020-25-03 to
address insufficient reservoir pressure in an emergency escape slide/
raft, which would prevent the deployment of the emergency escape slide/
raft during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury to the
occupants.
Actions Since AD 2020-25-03 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2020-25-03, EASA issued AD 2020-0236-CN,
dated May 16, 2022, to cancel EASA AD 2020-0236. EASA has advised the
FAA that SAFRAN Aerosystems, the manufacturer of the affected parts,
produced service information with instructions for replacement of the
rupture disk during overhaul of the affected parts. EASA reports that
no rupture disk failures have occurred in service or during overhaul.
Consequently, new risk analysis determined that an unsafe condition no
longer exists that would warrant AD action.
On March 16, 2022, the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information
Bulletin (SAIB) 2022-06 to recommend replacement of the affected parts
during overhaul.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that AD 2020-25-
03 is no longer appropriate. Accordingly, this proposed AD would remove
AD 2020-25-03. Removal of AD 2020-25-03 would not preclude the FAA from
issuing another related action or commit the FAA to any course of
action in the future.
Related Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would add no cost. This proposed AD would remove
AD 2020-25-03 from 14 CFR part 39; therefore, operators would no longer
be required to show compliance with that 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
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necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has 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 that the 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]
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2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
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a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2020-25-03, Amendment 39-21345
(85 FR 79415, December 10, 2020), and
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b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2020-1105; Project Identifier AD-2020-
01459-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 1,
2022.
(b) Affected Airworthiness Directive (AD)
This AD replaces AD 2020-25-03, Amendment 39-21345 (85 FR 79415,
December 10, 2020).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX,
and -272NX airplanes.
(d) 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#0d496c63235f626964636c4d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d692b7b8f884b9b2bfb8b796b0b7b7f8b1b9a0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on June 10, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12935 Filed 6-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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