Rule2024-29539
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
December 13, 2024
Effective
December 30, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, - 114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to open, the main landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance operations. This AD requires repetitive inspection of the MLG doors, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibits 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
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 100734-100737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29539]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2553; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00674-T;
Amendment 39-22908; AD 2024-25-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -
114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; Model
A320 series airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to open, the main
landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance operations. This AD requires
repetitive inspection of the MLG doors, and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibits 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 December 30, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 30,
2024.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by January 27, 2025.
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-2024-2553; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified 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#7534310635101406145b1000071a05145b1000"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ebaaaf98ab8e8a988ac58e9e99849b8ac58e9e">[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 at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2553.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy P. Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 206-231-3667; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d3a7babebca7bbaafda3fdb7bca4bfbabdb493b5b2b2fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7004191d1f0418095e005e141f071c191e17301611115e171f06">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2553; Project
Identifier MCAI-2024-00674-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Timothy
P. Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8df9e4e0e2f9e5f4a3fda3e9e2fae1e4e3eacdebececa3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c78656163786475227c2268637b6065626b4c6a6d6d226b637a">[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
[[Page 100735]]
Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0216, dated November 15, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0216) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-
111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321
series airplanes. Model A320-215 airplanes are not certificated by the
FAA and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this
AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability.
Model A321-253NY airplanes are not on the U.S. type certificate data
sheet. However, the U.S. has certificated this model and plans to add
it to the U.S. type certificate data sheet soon. Therefore, this AD
includes Model A321-253NY airplanes. The MCAI states that occurrences
were reported of jamming of, or inability to open, the MLG door during
maintenance operations. Investigations identified that certain MLG door
actuators may not have been assembled correctly. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and corrected,
could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly resulting in
significant damage to the airplane, and potentially causing a fire that
will involve emergency evacuation of the passengers. You may examine
the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-
2553.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0216 specifies procedures for repetitive inspections
for any discrepancy of each affected MLG door, replacing affected
parts, and eventual replacement of all affected parts. The discrepancy
is defined as any MLG door actuator that does not meet all the results
specified in the table in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the material referenced
in EASA AD 2024-0216. EASA AD 2024-0216 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.
FAA's Determination
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 is issuing this AD after determining that the
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on
other products of the same type design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2024-0216 described previously, except for any differences identified
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD and except as discussed
under ``Differences Between This AD and the MCAI.''
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 requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
EASA AD 2024-0216 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2024-0216 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0216 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
2024-0216. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0216 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-2553 after
this AD is published.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0216 specifies to replace each
affected part with a serviceable part within 12 months. The FAA is
considering requiring this replacement. However, the planned compliance
time for the replacement would allow enough time to provide notice and
opportunity for prior public comment on the merits of the replacement,
and the unsafe condition is being addressed through repetitive
inspections. Therefore, this AD does not adopt the requirements of
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0216. However, operators may still do
this optional terminating replacement.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because certain MLG door actuators may not have been assembled
correctly. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent
the extension of the MLG, possibly resulting in significant damage to
the airplane, and potentially causing a fire that will involve
emergency evacuation of the passengers. Additionally, the compliance
time in this AD is shorter than the time necessary for the public to
comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to
the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,933 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 100736]]
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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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................... $0 $170 $328,610
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Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 $9,324 $9,579
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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 or optional 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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7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $595 $9,324 $9,919
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2024-25-06 Airbus S.A.S: Amendment 39-22908; Docket No. FAA-2024-
2553; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00674-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 30,
2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any
category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX,-253NY, -
271NX, and -272NX airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to
open, the main landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance
operations. Investigations identified that certain MLG door
actuators may not have been assembled correctly. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and
corrected, could prevent the extension of the MLG, possibly
resulting in significant damage to the airplane, and potentially
causing a fire that will involve emergency evacuation of the
passengers.
(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
2024-0216, dated November 15, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0216).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0216
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0216 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
2024-0216.
(3) Where EASA AD 2024-0216 defines a serviceable part as an
``MLG actuator, eligible for installation in accordance with Airbus
instructions, which is not an affected part,'' this AD requires
replacing that text with
[[Page 100737]]
``MLG actuator, eligible for installation, which is not an affected
part.''
(4) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0216 specifies to
accomplish an inspection ``in accordance with the instructions of
the AOT'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``in accordance
with step 5.6.2 of the instructions of the AOT.''
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0216 states ``any
discrepancy on an affected MLG door is detected, as defined in the
AOT'' this AD requires replacing the text with a ``any MLG door
actuator that does not meet all the results specified in the table
in paragraph 5.6.2.2 in the referenced AOT is detected''.
(6) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0216.
(i) No Reporting or Return of Parts Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0216 specifies
to submit certain information and send removed parts 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 manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4f5f9fbf7f4d2d5d59ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82c3cfcdc1c2e4e3e3ace5edf4">[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 (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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 Timothy P. Dowling,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#384c5155574c50411648165c574f5451565f785e5959165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="07736e6a68736f7e2977296368706b6e69604761666629606871">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0216,
dated November 15, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified 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#cf8e8bbc8faaaebcaee1aababda0bfaee1aaba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84c5c0f7c4e1e5f7e5aae1f1f6ebf4e5aae1f1">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material 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 at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aaccd884c3c4d9dacfc9dec3c5c4eac4cbd8cb84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="adcbdf83c4c3deddc8ced9c4c2c3edc3ccdfcc83cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 5, 2024.
Suzanne Masterson,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-29539 Filed 12-11-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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