Rule2022-14195
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
July 5, 2022
Effective
August 9, 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 reports that passenger door stop screws were found with missing screw heads. This AD requires repetitive inspections of each passenger door stop screw for any missing screw heads and applicable corrective actions, 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 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39735-39738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14195]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0382; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01452-T;
Amendment 39-22099; AD 2022-13-13]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by
reports that passenger door stop screws were found with missing screw
heads.
[[Page 39736]]
This AD requires repetitive inspections of each passenger door stop
screw for any missing screw heads and applicable corrective actions, 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 August 9, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 9,
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#b5f4f1c6f5d0d4c6d49bd0c0c7dac5d49bd0c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="06474275466367756728637374697667286373">[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 on the
internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-0382.
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-2022-0382; 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 Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#197d7877376b767d707778597f7878377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7d3d6d999c5d8d3ded9d6f7d1d6d699d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0291, dated December 22, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0291) (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 published in the Federal
Register on March 31, 2022 (87 FR 18744). The NPRM was prompted by
reports that passenger door stop screws were found with missing screw
heads. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive general visual
inspections (GVI) of each passenger door stop screw for any missing
screw heads, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD
2021-0291.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing door stop screw
heads, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Delta Airlines (DAL). The following
presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to
each comment.
Request To Remove the Reporting Requirement
DAL requested that the FAA remove the reporting requirement in
paragraph (h) of the proposed AD. DAL stated that Note 3 in paragraph
(4) of EASA AD 2021-0291 indicates that ``[u]sing the inspection report
in accordance with the instructions of [the specified service
information] is acceptable to comply with the requirements'' of
paragraph (4). The commenter added that the service information
specified in EASA AD 2021-0291 states that the relevant Task
(``Complete the Inspection Report Sheet'') specifies that sending the
Inspection Report sheet is not an RC (required for compliance) step.
The commenter stated that EASA AD 2021-0291, by referencing the service
information in Note 3, appears to approve completing the inspection
report sheet, but does not require sending the inspection report as it
is not required for compliance.
The FAA does not agree to the requested change. The inspection
reports that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to
obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the missing
screw heads, and may help the FAA determine whether different AD
requirements may be appropriate. Further, EASA AD 2021-0291 requires
reporting inspection results to Airbus in paragraph (4) and note 3 is
only an option of how to comply with that reporting requirement. This
AD has not been changed with regard to this request.
Request To Clarify the Timing for Reporting
If the FAA does not remove the reporting requirement as DAL
requested, DAL recommended revised compliance times for reporting,
which DAL asserted would remove restrictive time constraints while
still meeting the intent of the proposed AD. Delta stated that commonly
the scanned records from each airplane visit are not available until
after the end of the visit (when the entire package is sent for
scanning all at once), which could take up to 75 days. Delta added that
potentially a report due under the conditions of paragraph (h)(3)(ii)
of the proposed AD could involve a case where the service information
and AD inspections were signed off 20 days into their 75-day long visit
but before the AD's effective date, and could result in manual
coordination with the Production Control Office.
<bullet> For paragraph (h)(3)(i) of the proposed AD, DAL
recommended revising the reporting compliance time as ``within 30 days
after the end of the maintenance visit/check during which the
inspection was performed'' instead of ``within 30 days after the
inspection.''
<bullet> For paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of the proposed AD, DAL
recommended this paragraph to state ``within 30 days after the end of
the maintenance visit/check during which the inspection was performed
or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
last'' instead of ``within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD.''
The FAA agrees with the request for the reasons provided, and has
revised paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD accordingly.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, and any other changes
described previously, 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 2021-0291 specifies procedures for repetitive general
visual
[[Page 39737]]
inspections (GVI) of each passenger door stop screw for any missing
screw heads, and applicable corrective actions. The corrective actions
include replacement of the passenger door stop screw, repair, and
follow-up actions (GVI of the adjacent door stop area and surrounding
structure for damage, including any broken door stop screws). EASA AD
2021-0291 also specifies procedures for reporting results of the
initial inspection to Airbus. This service information 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 27 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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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680........................... $0 $680 $18,360
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* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product
to comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the
cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be
$2,295, or $85 per product.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition screw replacement 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 this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $875 per screw......... $960 per screw
$85 per screw replacement. replacement.
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs or applicable follow-up actions
specified in this AD.
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in the cost estimate.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation
Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
[[Page 39738]]
2022-13-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22099; Docket No. FAA-2022-0382;
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01452-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 9, 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 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports that passenger door stop screws
were found with missing screw heads. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the missing door stop screw heads, which could result in
reduced 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
2021-0291, dated December 22, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0291).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0291
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0291 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0291 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0291 specifies to report
results of the initial inspection to Airbus within a certain
compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results of the
initial inspection at the applicable time specified in paragraph
(h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the end of the
maintenance visit/check during which the inspection was performed.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the end of the
maintenance visit/check during which the inspection was performed or
within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
(4) Where Note 2 of paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0291 specifies
using ``the instructions from an applicable Airbus Repair Design
Approval Form (RDAF)'' is acceptable for compliance with the
corrective actions, this AD requires using corrective actions
approved using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus
SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0291 refers to passenger
door stop screws that are ``damaged, as defined in the SB'' this AD
defines damage as broken passenger door stop screws.
(6) Where service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0291
specifies ``a general visual inspection of the adjacent door stop
area and surrounding structure (no lining removal required),'' for
this AD do a general visual inspection for any damage (e.g., broken
passenger door stop screws), and repair any damage 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.
(i) Return of Parts
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0291
specifies to send broken screws to Airbus, this AD does not include
that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
actions of this AD can be performed (if the operator elects to do
so), provided no passengers are onboard.
(k) 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 (l) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c05117d6a6f117d756e110b0f0c117d71737f7c5a5d5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0899df1e6e39df1f9e29d8783809df1fdfff3f0d6d1d19ed7dfc6">[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 (k)(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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6307020d4d110c070a0d02230502024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2d6d3dc9cc0ddd6dbdcd3f2d4d3d39cd5ddc4">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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 2021-0291,
dated December 22, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021-0291, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eaabae99aa8f8b998bc48f9f98859a8bc48f9f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c18085b281a4a0b2a0efa4b4b3aeb1a0efa4b4">[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>.
(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#e18793cf888f9291848295888e8fa18f809380cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="492f3b6720273a392c2a3d2026270927283b28672e263f">[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 June 15, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14195 Filed 7-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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