Proposed Rule2023-05941
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
March 28, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to remove Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016- 15-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2016-15-01 requires an inspection to determine trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) part numbers, serial numbers, and flight cycles on certain THSAs; and repetitive replacement of certain THSAs. AD 2016-15- 01 is no longer necessary, because the FAA has issued AD 2022-25-12 to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes and an NPRM that would terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes. The FAA has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent error. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to remove AD 2016-15-01.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18263-18264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05941]
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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. 88, No. 59 / Tuesday, March 28, 2023 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 18263]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; Project Identifier 2015-NM-065-AD]
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 remove Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-
15-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes;
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model
A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600
series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2016-15-01
requires an inspection to determine trimmable horizontal stabilizer
actuator (THSA) part numbers, serial numbers, and flight cycles on
certain THSAs; and repetitive replacement of certain THSAs. AD 2016-15-
01 is no longer necessary, because the FAA has issued AD 2022-25-12 to
terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes and an NPRM
that would terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes.
The FAA has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series
airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent
error. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to remove AD 2016-15-01.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12,
2023.
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-2023-0438; 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, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
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#92f6f3fcbce0fdf6fbfcf3d2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6929798d88499929f9897b6909797d8919980">[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-2023-0438; Project Identifier
2015-NM-065-AD'' 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
the 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 proposed AD.
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#dcb8bdb2f2aeb3b8b5b2bd9cbabdbdf2bbb3aa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e480858aca968b808d8a85a4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that
the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be
placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, July
22, 2016) (AD 2016-15-01), for Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes;
Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes. AD
2016-15-01 requires an inspection to determine THSA part numbers,
serial numbers, and flight cycles on certain THSAs; and repetitive
replacement of certain THSAs. AD 2016-15-01 was prompted by reports of
partial loss of no-back brake (NBB) efficiency on the THSA. The FAA
issued AD 2016-15-01 to prevent loss of THSA NBB efficiency, which, in
conjunction with the inability of the power gear to keep the ball screw
in its last commanded position, could lead to an uncommanded movement
of the horizontal stabilizer, possibly resulting in loss of control of
the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2016-15-01 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2016-15-01, the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) issued AD 2015-0081-CN, dated October 7, 2022, to
cancel EASA AD 2015-0081. EASA AD 2015-0081-CN states that EASA ADs
2022-0194 and 2022-0195, both dated September 23, 2022, require
incorporating new airworthiness tasks, which include the replacement of
[[Page 18264]]
certain THSAs, as required by EASA AD 2015-0081 (which corresponds to
FAA AD 2016-15-01).
The FAA has issued AD 2022-25-12, Amendment 39-22268 (87 FR 78518,
December 22, 2022) (AD 2022-25-12) which addresses the same unsafe
condition for the Airbus SAS Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2022-25-12
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0195.
The FAA has also issued an NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2022-1660 (88 FR
2035, January 12, 2023) to address the same unsafe condition for the
Airbus SAS Model A300-600 series airplanes. In that NPRM, the FAA
proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0194.
The FAA has also determined that the Airbus SAS Model A300 series
airplanes are not affected by the unsafe condition addressed by AD
2016-15-01. The inclusion of the Model A300 series airplanes in the
applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent error.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that AD 2016-15-
01 is no longer necessary. Accordingly, this proposed AD would remove
AD 2016-15-01. Removal of AD 2016-15-01 would not preclude the FAA from
issuing another related action or commit the FAA to any course of
action in the future. This proposed AD would remove all actions of AD
2016-15-01. Therefore, this proposed AD would terminate all
requirements of AD 2016-15-01.
Related Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would add no cost. This proposed AD would remove
AD 2016-15-01 from 14 CFR part 39; therefore, operators would no longer
be required to show compliance with that 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.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has 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 that the 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81
FR 47696, July 22, 2016), and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; Project Identifier 2015-NM-
065-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 12, 2023.
(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
This AD replaces AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696,
July 22, 2016).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) of this AD, certificated in any
category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(5) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Terminating Action
This AD terminates all requirements of AD 2016-15-01.
(f) Related Information
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#9afefbf4b4e8f5fef3f4fbdafcfbfbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6c2c7c888d4c9c2cfc8c7e6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(g) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on March 17, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05941 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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