88 FR 134 pgs. 45112-45115 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Type: PRORULEVolume: 88Number: 134Pages: 45112 - 45115
Pages: 45112, 45113, 45114, 45115Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2023-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00438-T]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2023-14851 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00438-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report the axis index washers on the forward and rear main landing gear door hinges were found inverted in production. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the axis index washers for correct installation, and, depending on findings, replacement of the axis index washers, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 28, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• 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.
• 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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1414; 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, 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:
• For material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website: ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1414.
• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7317; email: dat.v.le@faa.gov.
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-2023-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00438-T" 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 this 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 regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
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Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0051, dated March 10, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0051) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. The MCAI states that the forward (#1) and rear (#3) main landing gear door (MLGD) hinge axis index washers were found inverted in production (index washer for forward fitting installed at rear fitting and vice versa). This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to reduced structural integrity of the MLGD hinge fittings, possibly resulting in the loss of an MLGD during flight, and consequent injury to persons on the ground.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1414.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2023-0051 specifies procedures for a one-time detailed inspection of the MLGD forward and rear hinges for incorrectly installed axis index washers and, depending on findings, replacement of the axis index washers.
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 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 NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2023-0051 described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
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, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0051 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2023-0051 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0051 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 2023-0051. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0051 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1414 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 23 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.25 work-hours × $85 per hour = $192 | $0 | $192 | $4,416 |
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 data to determine the number of airplanes that might need this on-condition action:
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product |
|---|---|---|
| 8.25 work-hours × $85 per hour = $702 | $10 per door | $712 |
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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
The FAA 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 this 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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2023-1414; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00438-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by August 28, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0051, dated March 10, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0051).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report the axis index washers on the forward and rear main landing gear door (MLGD) hinges were found inverted in production. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrectly installed washers. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the MLGD hinge fittings, possibly resulting in a loss of an MLGD during flight, and consequent injury to persons on the ground.
(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, EASA AD 2023-0051.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0051
(1) Where the applicability and Groups definitions of EASA AD 2023-0051 refer to serial numbers, replace the text "the SB" with "Airbus Service Bulletin A350-52-P048, dated November 24, 2022."
(2) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0051.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0051 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: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. 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 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 Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7317; email: dat.v.le@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 2023-0051, dated March 10, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0051, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website: ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
[top] (5) 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
Issued on July 8, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14851 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
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