Proposed Rule2022-24987
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
November 18, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, and B4-203 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that internal system pollution can occur, most likely due to corroded unions in the pressurization lines, with an associated risk of contamination of the check valves. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections (functional checks) of the pressurization of the hydraulic system reservoirs, and corrective actions if necessary, 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 222 (Friday, November 18, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69222-69225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24987]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1412; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00805-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 A300 B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, and B4-203
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that
internal system pollution can occur, most likely due to corroded unions
in the pressurization lines, with an associated risk of contamination
of the check valves. This proposed AD would require repetitive
inspections (functional checks) of the pressurization of the hydraulic
system reservoirs, and corrective actions if necessary, 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 January 3,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
[[Page 69223]]
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-2022-1412; 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 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#90d1d4e3d0f5f1e3f1bef5e5e2ffe0f1bef5e5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2362675063464250420d4656514c53420d4656">[email protected]</span></a>; website
easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website
atad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1412.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97f3f6f9b9e5f8f3fef9f6d7f1f6f6b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c686d62227e636865626d4c6a6d6d226b637a">[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-2022-1412; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00805-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 Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2347424d0d514c474a4d42634542420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f7b7e71316d707b76717e5f797e7e31787069">[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 2022-0116, dated June 21, 2022 (EASA
AD 2022-0116) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B2-203, A300 B2K-3C, A300 B4-
203, A300 B4-2C, A300C4-203, and A300F4-203 airplanes. Model A300C4-203
and A300F4-203 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 internal system pollution can occur, most
likely due to corroded unions at the pressurization lines, with an
associated risk of contamination of the check valves. The three
hydraulic system reservoirs are pressurized by air coming from the
engine or the auxiliary power unit bleed air duct or from the ground
connection. Air tightness of the pressurization system of the
reservoirs is achieved by check valves that are located on the
respective pressurization lines and on top of each hydraulic reservoir.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address check valve contamination,
which could lead to hydraulic reservoir pressurization issues and, if
combined with an air pressurization line rupture, could lead to loss of
hydraulic systems and possibly result in loss of control of the
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0116 specifies procedures for repetitive detailed
inspections by performing functional checks for air leakage of the
hydraulic system reservoirs and corrective actions. Corrective actions
include a fault isolation to identify the source of depressurization
and replacement of the check valves. EASA AD 2022-0116 also specifies
procedures for reporting the inspection findings.
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
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 these same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2022-0116 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
[[Page 69224]]
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 2022-0116 by reference in the FAA final rule.
This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD
2022-0116 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 2022-0116 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-
0116. Service information required by EASA AD 2022-0116 for compliance
will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2022-1412 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 2 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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4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340.............................. $0 $340 $680
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 (reporting).................... 0 85 170
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the corrective actions specified in this proposed AD.
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 a 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 OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, 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
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-2022-1412; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00805-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 3, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-
2C, and B4-203 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic
power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that internal system
pollution can occur, most likely due to corroded unions at
pressurization lines level, with an associated risk of contamination
of the check valves. The FAA is issuing this AD to address check
valve contamination, which could lead to hydraulic reservoir
pressurization issues and, if combined with an air pressurization
line rupture, could lead to loss of hydraulic systems and possibly
result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
[[Page 69225]]
(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
2022-0116, dated June 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0116).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0116
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0116 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0116 specifies to report the
first functional check (test) results to Airbus within a certain
compliance time. For this AD, report the first functional check
(test) results at the applicable time specified in paragraph
(h)(2)(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 inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD.
(3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0116 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) 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 (j)(2) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bf8692fee9ec92fef6ed92888c8f92fef2f0fcffd9dede91d8d0c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c45513d2a2f513d352e514b4f4c513d31333f3c1a1d1d521b130a">[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 (i)(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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2022-0116, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc8d88bf8ca9adbfade2a9b9bea3bcade2a9b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a2b2e192a0f0b190b440f1f18051a0b440f1f">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website atad.easa.europa.eu. 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="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1412.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone 206-231-3225; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#593d3837772b363d303738193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f89c9996d68a979c919699b89e9999d69f978e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 2, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-24987 Filed 11-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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