[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3520-3522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1051; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-171-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 
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports that on airplanes equipped with 
sharklets, discretes (used to activate the load alleviation function) 
are connected on various flight computers using the same ground point. 
In these cases, the ground point segregation is no longer effective and 
a single failure could lead to loss of sharklet identification by 
flight computers causing a return to the wing tip fence (no sharklet 
configuration) performance. This proposed AD would require modification 
of the sharklet ground connection. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
loss of sharklet identification by the flight computers and subsequent 
reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 9, 2015.

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 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 account.airworth [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1051; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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,

[[Page 3521]]

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-2014-1051; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-171-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 Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0186, dated August 19, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During A320 Neo review, Airbus design office identified that on 
A320 family aeroplanes equipped with sharklets, discretes used to 
activate the load alleviation function are connected on various 
flight computers using the same ground point. In that case, the 
ground point segregation is no longer effective and a single failure 
could lead to loss of sharklet identification by the flight 
computers, inducing a return to the wing tip fence (no sharklet 
configuration) behaviour.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control 
of the aeroplane, depending on aeroplane configuration and flight 
phase.
    It has been determined that Airbus mod 156108 restores the 
correct segregation. However, since introduction of sharklet mod 
160500 and mod 160023, a number of aeroplanes equipped with 
sharklets have been delivered without incorporating mod 156108. In 
addition, mod 156108 was not included in certain SBs [Service 
Bulletin] that introduce the sharklet device in service onto 
aeroplanes with a reinforced wing, previously operated with a wing 
tip fence. Airbus mod 156108 has now been introduced into Airbus SB 
A320-57-1186 at Rev.03 and will be introduced at next revisions of 
SB A320-57-1173 and SB A320-57-1187.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus published SB 
A320-27-1240 for in-service installation of mod 156108.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the sharklet ground connection.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1051.

Related Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27-1240, including Appendix 
01, dated June 18, 2014. The service information describes procedures 
for modification of the sharklet ground connection. 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 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 46 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 14 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $347 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $70,702, or $1,537 per product.

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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-1051; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
171-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 9, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, identified in

[[Page 3522]]

paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, all manufacturer 
serial numbers on which Airbus modification (mod) 160500 or mod 
160023 has been embodied in production, and those that have been 
modified in service through the Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-
1173, A320-57-1186, and A320-57-1187 except those on which Airbus 
mod 156108 has been embodied in production.
    (1) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (2) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
    (3) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that on airplanes equipped with 
sharklets, discretes (used to activate the load alleviation 
function) are connected on various flight computers using the same 
ground point. In these cases, the ground point segregation is no 
longer effective and a single failure could lead to loss of sharklet 
identification by flight computers causing a return to the wing tip 
fence (no sharklet configuration) performance. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent loss of sharklet identification by the flight 
computers and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Modification

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
sharklet ground connection, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1240, dated June 18, 
2014.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2014-
0186, dated August 19, 2014, for related information. This MCAI may 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2014-1051.
    (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]">account.airworth-[email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 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 January 13, 2015.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00945 Filed 1-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P