Proposed Rule2022-22201
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
October 21, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321- 271NX and A321-272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an emergency exit slide deployment test on an Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) overwing emergency exit, the emergency exit slide did not deploy due to disconnected slide release cable junction. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the installation of the ACF overwing emergency exit slide release mechanism for discrepancies, and applicable corrective 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 203 (Friday, October 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63968-63970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22201]
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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. 203 / Friday, October 21, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 63968]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1300; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00663-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 A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321-
271NX and A321-272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an
emergency exit slide deployment test on an Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF)
overwing emergency exit, the emergency exit slide did not deploy due to
disconnected slide release cable junction. This proposed AD would
require a one-time detailed inspection of the installation of the ACF
overwing emergency exit slide release mechanism for discrepancies, and
applicable corrective 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 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="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#3170754271545042501f5444435e41501f5444"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6425201724010517054a0111160b14054a0111">[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 in the AD
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-1300.
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-2022-1300; 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 206-231-3229; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efb9838e8b8682869dc1ba83968e818099af898e8ec1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8be84898c8185819ac6bd84918986879ea88e8989c68f879e">[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-2022-1300; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00663-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 206-231-3229; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9accf6fbfef3f7f3e8b4cff6e3fbf4f5ecdafcfbfbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ebbd878a8f82868299c5be87928a85849dab8d8a8ac58c849d">[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 2022-0090, dated May 18, 2022 (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain
Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321-271NX and
A321-272NX airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by an emergency exit slide deployment
test on an Airbus SAS Model A321neo Cabin Flex (ACF) overwing emergency
exit, where the emergency exit slide did not deploy. The investigation
identified that the slide release mechanism cable
[[Page 63969]]
junction was disconnected inside the surrounding collets and knurled
sleeve nut. The mushroom head connector was not inserted into the T-
slot cable joint. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
disconnected slide release cable junction, which could prevent
emergency slide deployment, possibly resulting in injury to occupants
during an emergency evacuation. See the MCAI for additional background
information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0090 specifies procedures for a one-time detailed
inspection of the installation of the ACF overwing emergency exit slide
release mechanism on both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides of
the fuselage for discrepancies (i.e., a disconnected slide release
cable inside the sleeve nuts and collets (mushroom head not inserted in
T-slot joint) and missing lockwire around the knurled sleeve nut), and
applicable corrective actions. The corrective actions include
connecting the slide release cable and installing lockwire on the
knurled sleeve nut.
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
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 the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2022-0090 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 2022-0090 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2022-0090 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 2022-0090 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 2022-
0090. Service information required by EASA AD 2022-0090 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-2022-1300 after the FAA final rule is
published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 65 airplanes
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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14 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,190........................ * $0 $1,190 $77,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this
proposed AD.
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
optional 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020. Negligible $1,020
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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.
[[Page 63970]]
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-2022-1300; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00663-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 Airbus SAS Model A321-251NX, A321-252NX,
A321-253NX, A321-271NX and A321-272NX airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022-0090, dated May 18, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0090).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an emergency exit slide deployment test
on an Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) overwing emergency exit, where the
emergency exit slide did not deploy due to a disconnected slide
release cable junction. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
disconnected slide release cable junction, which could prevent
emergency slide deployment, possibly resulting in injury to
occupants during an emergency evacuation. See the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) for additional
background information.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0090.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0090
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0090 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0090 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0090 specifies
compliance times for corrective actions, for this AD, perform those
corrective actions at the applicable times specified in paragraph
(h)(3)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this AD.
(i) If missing lockwire around the knurled sleeve nut is found
and the slide release cable inside the sleeve nuts and collets is
connected (mushroom head inserted in T-slot joint): Install lockwire
within 4 months after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) If a disconnected slide release cable inside the sleeve
nuts and collets (mushroom head not inserted in T-slot joint) is
found and lockwire around the knurled sleeve nut is not missing:
Connect slide release cable before further flight.
(iii) If a disconnected slide release cable inside the sleeve
nuts and collets (mushroom head not inserted in T-slot joint) is
found and the lockwire around the knurled sleeve nut is missing:
Connect slide release cable and install lockwire before further
flight.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0090
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)(2) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a79e8ae6f1f48ae6eef58a9094978ae6eae8e4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="754c5834232658343c27584246455834383a36351314145b121a03">[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 referenced
in EASA AD 2022-0090 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC
paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2022-0090, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5f1e1b2c1f3a3e2c3e713a2a2d302f3e713a2a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b1a1f281b3e3a283a753e2e29342b3a753e2e">[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-
2022-1300.
(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 206-231-3229; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1b78d8085888c8893cfb48d98808f8e97a1878080cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9ffc5c8cdc0c4c0db87fcc5d0c8c7c6dfe9cfc8c887cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on October 6, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22201 Filed 10-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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