Rule2023-04252
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
March 3, 2023
Effective
April 7, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service inspection that found overhead storage compartment (OHSC) crash rods that were disconnected. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the OHSC crash rods and, depending on findings, 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 88 Issue 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13313-13315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04252]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1582; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01232-T;
Amendment 39-22342; AD 2023-03-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by an in-service inspection that found overhead storage
compartment (OHSC) crash rods that were disconnected. This AD requires
a one-time detailed inspection of the OHSC crash rods and, depending on
findings, 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 April 7, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 7,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1582; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material incorporated by reference 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#58191c2b183d392b39763d2d2a372839763d2d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5b5e695a7f7b697b347f6f68756a7b347f6f">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> For Airbus service information identified in this final
rule, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France;
[[Page 13314]]
telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a0905041e03041f0f0e470b03181d05181e0203040f1919440b595f5a2a560b4a02180f0c57" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
<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> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1582.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aerospace Engineer, Large
Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-228-7317; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dd99bca9f38bf391b89dbbbcbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="460227326810680a230620272768212930">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS
Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on December 15, 2022 (87 FR 76589). The NPRM was prompted by
AD 2022-0186, dated September 13, 2022, issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD
2022-0186) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that an in-
service inspection found OHSC crash rods that were disconnected. The
investigation conducted by the manufacturer determined that this
incorrect installation was due to human error in the final assembly
line. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the structural
integrity of the OHSC under emergency landing loads, which could lead
to OHSC detachment, resulting in injury to occupants and blocking an
escape path during an emergency evacuation.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed
inspection of the OHSC crash rods and, depending on findings,
corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0186. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1582.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one commenter who supported the NPRM
without change.
Conclusion
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 this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the
comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on this product. 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.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0186 specifies procedures for a one-time detailed
inspection for any defect (i.e., OHSC crash rod is disconnected or the
quick connections are unlocked) of the OHSC crash rods, and, depending
on findings, corrective actions (i.e., installation or locking of the
quick connections on the OHSC crash rods).
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P074, dated
July 29, 2022, which identifies the affected manufacturer serial
numbers.
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 ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 30 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.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510........................... $0 $510 $15,300
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... $4 $174
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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
[[Page 13315]]
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2023-03-17 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22342; Docket No. FAA-2022-1582;
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01232-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 7, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category, having manufacturer serial
numbers identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P074, dated
July 29, 2022.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an in-service inspection that found
overhead storage compartment (OHSC) crash rods that were
disconnected. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this incorrect
installation, which could affect the structural integrity of the
OHSC under emergency landing loads. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could lead to OHSC detachment, resulting in injury to
occupants and blocking an escape path during an emergency
evacuation.
(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0186, dated September 13, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0186).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0186
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0186 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0186.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0186
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and
21.199, are not allowed.
(k) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
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 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#caf3e78b9c99e78b8398e7fdf9fae78b8785898aacababe4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d3eafe928580fe929a81fee4e0e3fe929e9c9093b5b2b2fdb4bca5">[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, 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
paragraphs (i) and (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) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aerospace
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 516-
228-7317; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ace8cdd882fa82e0c9eccacdcd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ade9ccd983fb83e1c8edcbcccc83cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-53-P074, dated July 29, 2022.
(ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0186,
dated September 13, 2022.
(3) For Airbus service information identified in this AD,
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93
36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dbb8b4b5afb2b5aebebff6bab2a9acb4a9afb3b2b5bea8a8f5bae8eeeb9be7bafbb3a9bebde6" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
(4) For EASA AD 2022-0186, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7534310635101406145b1000071a05145b1000"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c6d685f6c494d5f4d0249595e435c4d024959">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(5) 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.
(6) You may view this service information 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#f69084d89f9885869395829f9998b698978497d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b6d79256265787b6e687f6264654b656a796a256c647d">[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 February 10, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04252 Filed 3-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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