Rule2022-16101
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 29, 2022
Effective
September 2, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26- 01, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and - 122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes. AD 2020-26-01 required repetitive general visual inspections of the affected main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes for cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on MLG sliding tubes that may have been subject to improperly performed magnetic particle inspection. This AD requires repetitive general visual inspections of the affected MLG sliding tubes (both retained affected parts and additional affected parts) for cracks, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. 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 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45627-45629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16101]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 145 / Friday, July 29, 2022 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 45627]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1075; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00856-T;
Amendment 39-22077; AD 2022-12-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-
01, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -
122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and
-133 airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes. AD 2020-26-01 required repetitive general visual
inspections of the affected main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes for
cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports
of cracks found on MLG sliding tubes that may have been subject to
improperly performed magnetic particle inspection. This AD requires
repetitive general visual inspections of the affected MLG sliding tubes
(both retained affected parts and additional affected parts) for
cracks, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.
This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 2, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 2,
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#8ecfcafdceebeffdefa0ebfbfce1feefa0ebfb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="16575265567377657738736364796677387363">[email 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. It is also available in the AD
docket at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-1075.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1075; 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: 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#285e44494c4145415a065d44514946475e684e4949064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43352f22272a2e2a316d362f3a222d2c35032522226d242c35">[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 2021-0175, dated July 22, 2021;
corrected July 23, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0175) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318-
111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-
114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-212, A320-
214, A320-215, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-111, A321-
112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232
airplanes. Model A320-215 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.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-26-01, Amendment 39-21356 (85 FR
82299, December 18, 2020) (AD 2020-26-01). AD 2020-26-01 applied to all
Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-
111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model
A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73197).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks found on MLG sliding tubes
that may have been subject to improperly performed magnetic particle
inspection. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive general visual
inspections of the affected MLG sliding tubes (both retained affected
parts and additional affected parts) for cracks, and replacement if
necessary, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0175. The NPRM also proposed to
add airplanes to the applicability.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks on the MLG sliding
tubes, which could cause MLG sliding tube fracture, and could result in
the MLG collapsing, damage to the airplane, and injury to occupants.
See the MCAI for additional background information.
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.
The FAA also received a comment from Delta Air Lines (DAL). The
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response.
Request for Clarification of Inspection Requirements
DAL requested clarification of the language specified in paragraph
(6) of EASA AD 2021-0175 that ``following installation, the part is
inspected as required by this [EASA] AD.'' DAL stated that more than
one interpretation is possible, but it presumed the intent to be that
an affected part can only be
[[Page 45628]]
installed if it is inspected within the compliance time specified in
paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0175 (rather than requiring an inspection
immediately after installing an affected part on-wing).
The FAA agrees to clarify the referenced quote. The statement
``following installation, the part is inspected as required by this
[EASA] AD'' does not mean an inspection is required before further
flight after installing an affected part. Instead, it means that the
part must meet the inspection requirements of paragraph (1) of EASA AD
2021-0175 at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph (1)
of EASA AD 2021-0175.
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, 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 2021-0175 describes procedures for repetitive general
visual inspections of the MLG sliding tubes for cracks, and replacement
if necessary. EASA AD 2021-0175 also describes terminating actions for
the repetitive inspections of affected MLG sliding tubes by either
overhauling an affected MLG sliding tube or replacing an affected MLG
sliding tube with an MLG sliding tube that is not affected.
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 1,524 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.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2020-26-01... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $259,080
hour = $170.
New proposed actions.................. 2 work-hours x $85 per 0 170 259,080
hour = $170.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,615. $185 $1,800
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-01, Amendment 39-21356
(85 FR 82299, December 18, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2022-12-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22077; Docket No. FAA-2021-1075;
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00856-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 2,
2022.
[[Page 45629]]
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-26-01, Amendment 39-21356 (85 FR 82299,
December 18, 2020) (AD 2020-26-01).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
gear.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on main landing
gear (MLG) sliding tubes that may have been subject to improperly
performed magnetic particle inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address cracks on the MLG sliding tubes, which could cause MLG
sliding tube fracture, and could result in the MLG collapsing,
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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2021-0175, dated July 22, 2021; corrected July 23, 2021 (EASA AD
2021-0175).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0175
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0175 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0175 refers to July 10, 2018 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2018-0136, dated June 26, 2018), this AD
requires using April 9, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-03-18,
Amendment 39-19570 (84 FR 7804, March 5, 2019)).
(3) Where EASA AD 2021-0175 refers to December 2, 2020 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2020-0258, dated November 18, 2020;
corrected November 19. 2020), this AD requires using January 4, 2021
(the effective date of AD 2020-26-01).
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0175 specifies
compliance times to do the initial inspection, for this AD, the
initial inspection must be done within the applicable compliance
time specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0175, or within 30
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0175 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0175
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(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) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3faee829590ee828a91eef4f0f3ee828e8c8083a5a2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a33274b5c59274b4358273d393a274b4745494a6c6b6b246d657c">[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 (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
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#24524845404d494d560a51485d454a4b52644245450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abddc7cacfc2c6c2d985dec7d2cac5c4ddebcdcaca85ccc4dd">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 2021-0175,
dated July 22, 2021; corrected July 23, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021-0175, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17565364577276647639726265786776397262"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1b0b582b194908290df9484839e8190df9484">[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>.
(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#fa9c88d49394898a9f998e939594ba949b889bd49d958c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e283c6027203d3e2b2d3a2721200e202f3c2f60292138">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on June 4, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16101 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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