Proposed Rule2022-22053
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
October 20, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, - 113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, - 131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture that led to a NLG collapse. This proposed AD would require inspection of certain NLG and main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and eventual replacement of all affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. 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 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63715-63718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22053]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01181-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 all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -
113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212,
-214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -
131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture
that led to a NLG collapse. This proposed AD would require inspection
of certain NLG and main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes and applicable
corrective actions and eventual replacement of all affected parts, as
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which
is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD
would also prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain
conditions.
[[Page 63716]]
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 December 5,
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="http://regulations.gov">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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone
+49 221 8999 00<bullet>0; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acede8dfecc9cddfcd82c9d9dec3dccd82c9d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="befffacdfedbdfcddf90dbcbccd1cedf90dbcb">[email protected]</span></a>; website
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2022-1295.
<bullet> You may view this service information 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manuel Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 562-627-5256; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e436f607b6b62204820466b7c606f606a6b744e686f6f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bd6faf5eefef7b5ddb5d3fee9f5faf5fffee1dbfdfafab5fcf4ed">[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-2022-1295; Project Identifier
MCAI-2021-01181-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="http://regulations.gov">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
Manuel Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA,
International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 562-627-5256; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d604c43584841036b0365485f434c434948576d4b4c4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cf82aea1baaaa3e189e187aabda1aea1abaab58fa9aeaee1a8a0b9">[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 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0236) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes, Model
A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model
A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and
Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -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 proposed AD
therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.
The MCAI states that NLG sliding tube rupture, leading to NLG
collapse during taxiing, occurred on a Model A320 airplane.
Investigations identified overheat damage on that NLG, caused by
incorrect accomplishment of a repair on the chromium-plated diameter of
the sliding tube during the last NLG overhaul. Further investigations
identified a batch of NLG and MLG sliding tubes that are possibly
affected by a similar condition, which, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent collapse of
the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to
occupants. The MCAI requires inspections of affected parts, applicable
corrective actions, and eventual replacement of all affected parts.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1295.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies procedures for a detailed inspection of
the visible chrome surface of affected NLG and MLG sliding tubes for
any discrepancies (cracks), a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and
Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI) of affected parts for any
discrepancies (cracks), an MPI, eventual replacement of affected parts,
and corrective actions. Corrective actions include immediate
replacement of the NLG or MLG sliding tube or shock absorber. 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
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is 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
described 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 the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in
[[Page 63717]]
EASA AD 2021-0236 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD
This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts
under certain conditions.
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 2021-0236 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2021-0236 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 2021-0236 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-
0236. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0236 for compliance
will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1295
after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,825 airplanes of U.S. registry. Currently, there are no
affected U.S.-registered airplanes that would need the required actions
because the affected part is not installed on any U.S.-registered
airplanes. U.S.-registered airplanes therefore would need to comply
with only the parts prohibition specified in this proposed AD.
If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply
with the required actions in this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost * product
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50 work-hours x $85 per hour = $4,250. $0 $4,250
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the replacement parts 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-2022-1295; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
01181-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 5, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified 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) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG)
sliding tube rupture leading to a NLG collapse. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address NLGs and main landing gears (MLGs) that may have
been subject to the incorrect accomplishment of a repair, which, if
not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural
failure and subsequent collapse of the gears, possibly resulting 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 paragraphs (h) of this AD: Comply with
all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
[[Page 63718]]
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021 (EASA AD
2021-0236).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0236
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0236 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a
detailed visual inspection, replace the text ``the instructions of
the AOT'' with ``paragraphs 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.5 of the AOT.''
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do an
magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and a Barkhausen noise inspection
(BNI), replace the text ``the instructions of the AOT'' with
``paragraphs 4.2.2.3 and 4.2.2.6 of the AOT.''
(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies that ``if
discrepancies are detected on an affected part'' for this AD
discrepancies include cracking and heat damage.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0236 specifies to quarantine parts, this AD does not require that
action.
(6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0236 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236
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#f7cedab6a1a4dab6bea5dac0c4c7dab6bab8b4b7919696d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94adb9d5c2c7b9d5ddc6b9a3a7a4b9d5d9dbd7d4f2f5f5baf3fbe2">[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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Manuel Hernandez,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone 562-627-5256; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8f5d9d6cdddd496fe96f0ddcad6d9d6dcddc2f8ded9d996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a775b544f5f56147c14725f48545b545e5f407a5c5b5b145d554c">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 2021-0236,
dated October 29, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021-0236, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6f7f2c5f6d3d7c5d798d3c3c4d9c6d798d3c3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6021241320050113014e0515120f10014e0515">[email protected]</span></a>; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(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#2442560a4d4a57544147504d4b4a644a4556450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="badcc894d3d4c9cadfd9ced3d5d4fad4dbc8db94ddd5cc">[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 October 3, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22053 Filed 10-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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