Rule2023-17501
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
August 16, 2023
Effective
September 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -301, -302, and -303 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion and cracks found on engine inlet attach fittings. This AD requires an inspection to determine whether affected engine inlet attach fittings are installed, and replacement of those affected engine inlet attach fittings or replacement with and inlet cowl having no affected engine inlet attach fittings, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. 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 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55551-55553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17501]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 157 / Wednesday, August 16, 2023 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 55551]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1655; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00887-T;
Amendment 39-22423; AD 2023-08-08]
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 all
Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -301, -302, and -303 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion and cracks found on engine
inlet attach fittings. This AD requires an inspection to determine
whether affected engine inlet attach fittings are installed, and
replacement of those affected engine inlet attach fittings or
replacement with and inlet cowl having no affected engine inlet attach
fittings, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits
the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 20, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
20, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1655; 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 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#7031340330151103115e1505021f00115e1505"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de9f9aad9ebbbfadbff0bbabacb1aebff0bbab">[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-2022-1655.
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#d5a3b9b4b1bcb8bca7fba0b9acb4bbbaa395b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa8c969b9e93979388d48f96839b94958cba9c9b9bd49d958c">[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
A330-201, -202, -203, -301, -302, and -303 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2022 (87 FR 79819).
The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022-0133, dated July 5, 2022, issued by
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union (EASA AD 2022-0133) (also referred to as the MCAI). The
MCAI states that findings of corrosion and cracks on engine inlet
attach fittings have been reported. It was determined that the affected
fittings are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking due to the
material used for the fittings. The MCAI notes that stress corrosion
cracking, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of one
or more fittings, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane or
injury to occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection to determine
whether affected engine inlet attach fittings are installed, and
replacement of those affected engine inlet attach fittings or
replacement with an inlet cowl having no affected engine inlet attach
fittings, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0133. The NPRM also proposed to
prohibit the installation of affected parts. 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-2022-1655.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from two commenters. The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request for Exclusion of Certain Accomplishment Instruction Steps
Delta requested revising paragraph (h) of the proposed AD to
clarify that the access and close instructions in service information
referenced by EASA AD 2022-0133 are not required. Delta stated that no
guidance is provided indicating that the access and close instructions
can be either done using airline best practices, or omitted in the case
that the instructions have been accomplished previously.
The FAA disagrees. The FAA has reviewed the instructions and
determined that the instructions are adequate and can be performed in
conjunction with other maintenance actions. The access and close
instructions are to open and close the fan cowl doors, install the
inlet, make sure the work area is clean and clear of tools, and an
inspection report. As specified in paragraph (i) of this AD, the
inspection report specified in the closing actions is not required. If
the requirements of the AD, including access and close, have been
accomplished previously, paragraph (f) of this AD provides relief for
actions already done. For methods other than those required by the AD,
operators may request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under
the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
[[Page 55552]]
Request for a Reporting Requirement
One commenter requested revising paragraph (i) of the proposed AD
to require submitting an inspection report to the manufacturer. The
commenter states the change would align with the EASA AD and that the
wide-body design of the affected 11 U.S.-registered airplanes is
duplicated or modified by Airbus in newer designs. The commenter also
states the information would assist in avoiding these issue in the
future.
The FAA disagrees. EASA AD 2022-0133 does not require reporting;
however, the Airbus service information referenced by EASA 2022-0133
does specify an inspection report. The FAA does not consider it
necessary to require an inspection report because the unsafe condition
has been clearly determined and the corrective actions are defined.
However, submitting an inspection report is not prohibited, and any
operator may do so voluntarily. The AD has not been changed 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 2022-0133 specifies procedures for an inspection to
determine whether affected engine inlet attach fittings (those having
certain part numbers and made of aluminum alloy 7175-T66 or 7075-T6)
are installed, and replacement of those affected engine inlet attach
fittings with serviceable parts or replacement with an inlet cowl
having no affected engine inlet attach fittings. EASA AD 2022-0133 also
prohibits 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 will affect 11 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425............ None............................ $425 $4,675
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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
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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210 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $10,136..... Up to $27,986 per
up to $17,850 per nacelle. nacelle.
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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
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:
[[Page 55553]]
2023-08-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22423; Docket No. FAA-2022-1655;
Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00887-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 20,
2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -
301, -302, and -303 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion and cracks found on
engine inlet attach fittings. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect
and correct stress corrosion cracking. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in failure of one or more fittings, possibly
resulting in damage to the airplane or injury to occupants.
(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
2022-0133, dated July 5, 2022.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0133
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0133 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0133 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0133
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,
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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#596074180f0a7418100b746e6a69741814161a193f3838773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="073e2a4651542a464e552a3034372a464a48444761666629606871">[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 (j)(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.
(k) Additional Information
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#50263c3134393d39227e253c29313e3f26103631317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d9afb5b8bdb0b4b0abf7acb5a0b8b7b6af99bfb8b8f7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 2022-0133,
dated July 5, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0133, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0e1e4d3e0c5c1d3c18ec5d5d2cfd0c18ec5d5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cddd8efdcf9fdeffdb2f9e9eef3ecfdb2f9e9">[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#9dfbefb3f4f3eeedf8fee9f4f2f3ddf3fceffcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="274155094e4954574244534e4849674946554609404851">[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 April 20, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17501 Filed 8-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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