Rule2023-16095
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
July 31, 2023
Effective
September 5, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports where the passenger door external handle mechanism was not retrieving its normal, flush position when the door was being closed. This AD requires a one-time cleaning and lubrication of the external door handle mechanism of each affected door, and limits the installation of affected parts, 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
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 145 (Monday, July 31, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 145 (Monday, July 31, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49275-49277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16095]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0427; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01370-T;
Amendment 39-22488; AD 2023-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD
was prompted by reports where the passenger door external handle
mechanism was not retrieving its normal, flush position when the door
was being closed. This AD requires a one-time cleaning and lubrication
of the external door handle mechanism of each affected door, and limits
the installation of affected parts, 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 September 5, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 5,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0427; 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#bbfaffc8fbdedac8da95decec9d4cbda95dece"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e1a0a592a184809280cf8494938e9180cf8494">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.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> under Docket No. FAA-2023-0427.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone 206-231-3667; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d19242022392534631d6309223a2124232a0d2b2c2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c08353133283425720c7218332b3035323b1c3a3d3d723b332a">[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 all Airbus SAS Model
A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112, A319-113,
A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A319-151N, A319-153N,
A319-171N, A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232,
A320-233, A320-251N, A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-271N, A320-272N, A320-
273N, A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-
231, A321-232, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N, A321-252NX, A321-253N,
A321-253NX, A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N, and A321-272NX airplanes.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2023 (88 FR
14298). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0213R1, dated November 8,
2022, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2022-0213R1) (also referred to as
the MCAI). The MCAI states one operator has reported two cases of a
passenger/flight crew door external handle flap remained stuck in an
intermediate or fully pushed position (not flush with the door skin) on
two recently delivered Model A320 series airplanes after the door was
opened from outside. With the external handle flap in this intermediate
position, in one of the reported cases, the operator was not able to
open the door normally from inside. Subsequent investigation determined
that on the production line of one door supplier, corrosion protection
compound (CPC) was inadvertently applied to the movable parts of the
mechanism during production. The CPC, when applied to these parts leads
to a sticky effect and prevents the passenger door external handle flap
from moving to the closed position, which is flush with the fuselage
skin.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time cleaning and
[[Page 49276]]
lubrication of the external door handle mechanism of each affected
door, and to limit the installation of affected parts, as specified in
EASA AD 2022-0213R1. The FAA is issuing this AD to address external
door handle mechanisms coated with CPC preventing the passenger door
external handle flap from moving to the closed position, which if not
addressed, could inhibit opening the door from the inside, or allow the
door to open, automatically disarming the slide/raft, which would
result in its non-automatic deployment. Both scenarios could delay a
safe evacuation of airplane occupants during an emergency.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0427.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from Delta Air Lines (DAL) and
United Airlines (UAL). The following presents the comments received on
the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Add an Exception To Allow Maintenance Records Review
DAL requested that the NPRM be revised to add an exception to allow
a records review by DAL Engineering to determine the airplanes with
affected passenger doors and to identify if any external control handle
lubrication had already been accomplished prior to the inspection by
DAL maintenance. DAL stated that its maintenance department is not
typically responsible for performing records review as part of their
responsibilities, as this is a function of the engineering department.
The FAA disagrees with adding an exception, since accomplishment of
Paragraph 5.6, Steps (1) and (2) do not require review of maintenance
records nor do they require maintenance personnel to conduct the review
if DAL decides to use maintenance records to accomplish the AD actions
as the DAL comment suggests. The FAA agrees that a review of the
airplane maintenance records by engineering is acceptable to determine
if an aircraft has an affected door or to verify control handle
lubrication has already been accomplished. The FAA has not changed this
AD in this regard.
Request To Revise Applicability To Include Affected Doors
UAL requested that paragraph (c) of the proposed AD be revised to
include affected passenger doors to address part interchangeability.
UAL stated that inclusion of the affected passenger door part numbers
will help operators to identify the potential installation of the
impacted doors within their fleet using the Illustrated Parts Catalog
(IPC) for configuration control.
The FAA disagrees with the need to add door part numbers to this
AD. The service information specified in EASA AD 2022-0213R1 identifies
the suspect passenger doors by serial numbers. Further, the FAA agrees
that the movement of doors within an operator's fleet is possible so
this AD, as written, addresses the issue of rotability in two ways.
First, the applicability in paragraph (c) of this AD includes all
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. Second,
the requirements of this AD include a parts installation limitation, as
specified in EASA AD 2022-0213R1. Therefore, the FAA has not changed
this AD in this regard.
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
comments 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 2022-0213R1 specifies procedures for cleaning and
lubricating the movable parts of the external passenger door handle
mechanism of affected doors. EASA AD 2022-0213R1 also limits the
installation of affected parts. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,864 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $50 Up to $390........... Up to $726,960.
= $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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
[[Page 49277]]
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:
2023-13-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22488; Docket No. FAA-2023-0427;
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01370-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 5,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, and A318-122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115,
A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A319-151N, A319-153N, and A319-171N
airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231,
A320-232, A320-233, A320-251N, A320-252N, A320-253N, A320-271N,
A320-272N, and A320-273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212,
A321-213, A321-231, A321-232, A321-251N, A321-251NX, A321-252N,
A321-252NX, A321-253N, A321-253NX, A321-271N, A321-271NX, A321-272N,
and A321-272NX airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports where the passenger door
external handle mechanism was not allowing the flap handle to return
to its normal, flush position when the door was being closed.
Subsequent investigation concluded corrosion protection compound
(CPC) was inadvertently applied to the movable parts of the
mechanism during production. The CPC prevents the handle flap from
moving to the closed position, flush with the fuselage skin. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could inhibit opening the door
from the inside, or allow the door to open, automatically disarming
the slide/raft, which would result in its non-automatic deployment.
Both scenarios could delay a safe evacuation of airplane occupants
during an emergency.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(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
2022-0213R1, dated November 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0213R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0213R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0213R1 refers to November 3, 2022 (the
effective of EASA AD 2022-0213, dated October 20, 2022), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0213R1.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 (j) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#261f0b6770750b676f740b1115160b676b69656640474708414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81b8acc0d7d2acc0c8d3acb6b2b1acc0cccec2c1e7e0e0afe6eef7">[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
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information referenced
in EASA AD 2022-0213R1 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling,
Aerospace Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone 206-231-3667; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0155686c6e7569782f512f456e766d686f66416760602f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="feaa9793918a9687d0aed0ba918992979099be989f9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 2022-0213R1,
dated November 8, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0213R1, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer
3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6a7a295a683879587c8839394899687c88393"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d39297a093b6b2a0b2fdb6a6a1bca3b2fdb6a6">[email protected]</span></a>; website 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#1d7b6f3374736e6d787e697472735d737c6f7c337a726b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6107134f080f1211040215080e0f210f0013004f060e17">[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 June 30, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16095 Filed 7-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 31, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.