[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15335-15337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05563]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0208; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a determination that certain maintenance activities, 
such as repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, might cause the 
weight of an elevator to exceed the certified limits. This proposed AD 
would require checking the weight of certain elevators, and corrective 
action if necessary; and re-identifying the elevators. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct elevators that exceed the certified 
weight limits, which could result in reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 
93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; 
fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0208; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-204-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0221, dated October 23, 2012 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    It has been identified that maintenance activities, such as 
repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, may cause the weight of 
an elevator to exceed the certified limits.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a 
onetime weight check of both left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) 
elevators, accomplishment of corrective actions, as applicable, 
depending on findings, and re-identification of the elevators.
    The monitoring of elevator weight evolution after having 
complied with this [EASA] AD is ensured by Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 ALS Part 2 CDCCL (Critical Design Configuration Control 
Limitations), compliance with which is currently required by EASA AD 
2010-0071R1 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2011-14-06, Amendment 39-
16741 (76 FR 42024, July 18, 2011)].

Corrective action includes removing the paint from the elevator surface 
and repainting, or replacing the elevator with a serviceable elevator 
if the weight estimate is over the certified weight limit; and 
repairing the elevator. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including 
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011; and Service Bulletin A320-
55-1042, Revision 01, dated June 29, 2012. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another

[[Page 15336]]

country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 
1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, and the MCAI specify to contact the 
manufacturer for instructions to repair certain conditions, this 
proposed AD would require repairing those conditions using a method 
approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA (or its delegated 
agent).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 755 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 45 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $2,887,875, or $3,825 per product.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
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.
    We are 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

    We 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0208; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
204-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 25, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes listed in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category, all 
serial numbers.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that certain maintenance 
activities, such as repairs or the accumulation of paint layers, 
might cause the weight of an elevator to exceed the certified 
limits. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct elevators that 
exceed certified weight limits, which could result in reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Weight Check

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) 
of this AD: Do a weight check on the elevators identified in table 1 
to paragraph (g) of this AD. Do the weight check in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-
1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, except as 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.

       Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Part Numbers
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               Part name                    P/N (first 12 digits only)
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Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001000
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001002
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001004
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001008
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001010
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280001012
Left Hand Elevator.....................  D55280002000
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001001
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001003
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001005
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001009
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001011
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280001013
Right Hand Elevator....................  D55280002001
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1) A review of the airplane maintenance records is acceptable 
in lieu of the weight check required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
provided the elevator weight can be conclusively determined from 
that review.
    (2) The use of elevator weight data from production, as 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including 
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011, is acceptable in lieu of 
the weight check required by paragraph (g) of this AD, provided that 
the affected elevator has not been subjected to any maintenance 
action that could have modified the weight.
    (3) Airplanes on which Airbus modification 150390 has been 
embodied in production are not required to do the actions specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD,

[[Page 15337]]

provided that no elevator having a part number (P/N) specified in 
table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been installed on that 
airplane since the airplane's first flight.

(h) Compliance Time for the Actions Specified in Paragraph (g) of This 
AD

    (1) For an elevator for which, as of the effective date of this 
AD, the records show that no maintenance actions have been performed 
since first installation of the elevator on an airplane, which might 
have increased its weight: Within 72 months after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) For elevators other that those identified in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this AD: Within 48 months after the effective date of this 
AD.

(i) Corrective Actions

    If the elevator weight, determined as required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, exceeds the weight limit specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including 
Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Before further flight, do 
the applicable corrective actions followed by a new weight check of 
the elevator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, 
dated August 19, 2011. If the elevator weight, determined as 
required by the new weight check, exceeds the weight limit specified 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 19, 2011: Before 
further flight, repair the elevator using a method approved by 
either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) (or its delegated agent).

(j) Elevator Re-Identification

    If the elevator weight, determined by the weight check specified 
in paragraph (g) or (i) of this AD, does not exceed the weight limit 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated August 
19, 2011: Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, 
record the elevator weight and re-identify the elevator, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-55-1042, Revision 01, dated June 29, 2012.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1042, dated 
August 19, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(l) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane an elevator with a part number listed in table 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, unless that elevator is in compliance with 
the requirements of this AD.

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may 
be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0221, dated October 23, 
2012, and the Airbus service information specified in paragraphs 
(n)(1)(i) and (n)(1)(ii) of this AD; for related information.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1034, including Appendices 1 
and 2, dated August 19, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1042, Revision 01, dated 
June 29, 2012.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05563 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P