[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63134-63136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26223]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3990; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-255-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 A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Airbus 
Model A321-211 and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
reports of incorrect installation of jiffy joint connectors on cables 
connected to certain passenger service units (PSU), which could cause 
the passenger oxygen container to malfunction if the connector becomes 
disengaged during flight due to vibration. This proposed AD would 
require identification of the affected PSUs, and depending on findings, 
doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the door of the passenger 
oxygen container to open in the event of airplane decompression, 
resulting in lack of oxygen supply and consequent injury to occupants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 3, 
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 Airbus 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.
    For Airbus Operations GMBH service information identified in this 
proposed AD, contact Airbus Operations GMBH, Cabin Electronics, 
Lueneburger Schanze 30, 21614 Buxtehude, Germany; telephone +49 40 7437 
46 32; telefax +49 40 7437 16 80; email [email protected].
    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-2015-
3990; 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, 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-2015-3990; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-255-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

[[Page 63135]]

for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0256, dated November 26, 2014, (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Airbus Model A321-211 and -231 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A quality issue was reported regarding incorrect installation of 
jiffy joint connectors on cables connected to certain Passenger 
Service Units (PSU), which may lead to a malfunction of the 
passenger oxygen container in case of connector disengagement during 
flight due to vibrations. All the aeroplanes that had a potentially 
affected PSU installed were identified. Most of those aeroplanes 
were corrected during a specific quality inspection on the final 
assembly line prior to customer delivery. Unfortunately, a limited 
number of aeroplanes were delivered before the quality inspection 
was implemented.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the door of the passenger oxygen container and open in 
case of aeroplane decompression, possibly resulting in lack of 
oxygen supply and consequent injury to occupants.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
identification of the affected PSU and, depending on the findings, * 
* * related investigative and corrective actions.

    Related investigative actions include a detailed inspection to 
determine if the jiffy joint connector works properly. Corrective 
actions include rework or replacement of the jiffy joint connectors. 
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-2015-
3990.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued the following service information.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1B20, dated October 9, 
2014. This service information describes procedures for inspecting for 
affected PSU part numbers and serial numbers, and depending on 
findings, doing applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions. Related investigative actions include a detailed inspection to 
determine if the jiffy joint connector works properly. Corrective 
actions include rework or replacement of the jiffy joint connectors.
     Airbus Operations GmbH Vendor Service Bulletin Z315H-25-
004, dated September 26, 2014. This service information describes 
procedures for inspecting for the connection of the jiffy joint 
connectors, and depending on findings, doing rework or replacement of 
the jiffy joint connectors.
    This service information 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 of this 
NPRM.

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 these 
same type designs.

Explanation of ``RC'' Procedures and Tests in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which procedures and tests in the service information are 
required for compliance with an AD. Differentiating these procedures 
and tests from other tasks in the service information is expected to 
improve an owner's/operator's understanding of crucial AD requirements 
and help provide consistent judgment in AD compliance. The procedures 
and tests identified as RC (required for compliance) in any service 
information have a direct effect on detecting, preventing, resolving, 
or eliminating an identified unsafe condition.
    As specified in a Note under the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1B20, dated October 9, 2014, procedures 
and tests that are identified as RC in any service information must be 
done to comply with the proposed AD. However, procedures and 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 alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC), provided the procedures and tests identified as RC 
can be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 7 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 5 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 $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $2,975, or $425 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.

[[Page 63136]]

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-2015-3990; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
255-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 3, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-214, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and Airbus Model A321-211 and -231 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, having manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSNs) 5583, 5598, 5602, 5604, 5608, 5610, 5613 through 5622 
inclusive, 5624 through 5627 inclusive, 5629 through 5632 inclusive, 
5634 through 5636 inclusive, 5638, 5640 through 5644 inclusive, 5646 
through 5649 inclusive, 5651 through 5653 inclusive, 5655, 5657 
through 5661 inclusive, 5663, 5665, 5667, 5670, 5672, 5673, and 
5675.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of 
jiffy joint connectors on cables connected to certain passenger 
service units (PSU), which could cause the passenger oxygen 
container to malfunction if the connector becomes disengaged during 
flight due to vibration. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the door of the passenger oxygen container to open in the event 
of airplane decompression, resulting in lack of oxygen supply and 
consequent injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    Within 7,500 flight hours or 26 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, do an inspection to identify the 
part number and serial number of each PSU and if an affected part 
number or serial number is found, do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1B20, 
dated October 9, 2014. Do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions within 7,500 flight hours or 26 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. An affected PSU 
part number or serial number is one listed in Appendix 1 of Airbus 
Operations GmbH Vendor Service Bulletin Z315H-25-004, dated 
September 26, 2014. A review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number and serial 
number of the PSU can be conclusively determined from that review.

(h) Clarification of Vendor Service Information

    Appendix 1 of Airbus Operations GmbH Vendor Service Bulletin 
Z315H-25-004, dated September 26, 2014, identifies Attachment 1 as 
the list of affected PSU part numbers and serial numbers. Also, the 
``List of Attachments'' in Appendix 1, specifies Attachment 1 as 
Table 4, however ``Attachment 1'' and ``Table 4'' do not appear on 
any of the pages of the list of affected PSU part numbers and serial 
numbers, nor does a date. Furthermore, the pagination of the list of 
affected PSU part numbers and serial numbers is independent of the 
pagination of Airbus Operations GmbH Vendor Service Bulletin Z315H-
25-004, dated September 26, 2014.

(i) 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) 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): 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 a serviceable 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0256, dated November 26, 
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-2015-3990.
    (2) For Airbus 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. For Airbus Operations GMBH service 
information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Operations GMBH, 
Cabin Electronics, Lueneburger Schanze 30, 21614 Buxtehude, Germany; 
telephone +49 40 7437 46 32; telefax +49 40 7437 16 80; email 
[email protected]. 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 October 6, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-26223 Filed 10-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P