[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64083-64085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22435]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-9110; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-196-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 A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211,
A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a
report of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing
assembly of the main landing gear (MLG) with no cadmium plating on the
rod end threads. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection
of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing assembly
of the MLG for the presence of cadmium plating, and replacement of tie
rod assemblies without cadmium plating. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on the rod end
threads of the tie rod assemblies. The absence of cadmium plating could
lead to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end threads, resulting in rod
end failure, loss of a MLG door, and consequent damage to the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 3,
2016.
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 NPRM, 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 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-2016-
9110; 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-2016-9110;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-196-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 2015-0234, dated December 8, 2015 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model
A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-
231 airplanes. The MCAI states:
A production quality issue was identified concerning tie rod
assemblies, having Part Number (P/N) starting with D52840212000 or
D52840212002, which are installed on the main landing gear (MLG)
hinged fairing assembly. This quality issue affects the cadmium
plating surface treatment which was inadvertently omitted from the
rod end threads of the assembly. The absence of cadmium plating
reduces the corrosion protection scheme.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
galvanic corrosion of
[[Page 64084]]
the tie rod end threads, possibly resulting in rod end failure, loss
of a MLG door, and consequent injury to persons on ground.
To address this unsafe condition, Airbus identified the affected
[manufacturer serial number] MSN and issued [service bulletin] SB
A320-52-1167 to provide inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the affected MLG hinged fairing tie rod
assemblies [for the presence of cadmium plating], and, depending on
findings, replacement of the affected tie rod assembly.
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-2016-
9110.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-52-1167, dated August 6,
2015. The service information describes procedures for a detailed
inspection for the presence of cadmium plating on tie rod assemblies
having certain part numbers, and procedures for replacement of tie rod
assemblies with no cadmium plating on the rod end threads. 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.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 20 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection............................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................ $0 $170 $3,400
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need
these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement............................. 13 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,105........................... Not available.............. $1,105
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all available costs in our
cost estimate.
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):
[[Page 64085]]
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-9110; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
196-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 3, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214,
A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes, certificated
in any category, as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1167, dated August 6, 2015.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of certain tie rod assemblies
installed on the hinged fairing assembly of the main landing gear
(MLG) with no cadmium plating on the rod end threads. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on the
rod end threads of the tie rod assemblies. The absence of cadmium
plating could lead to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end threads,
resulting in rod end failure, loss of a MLG door, and consequent
damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection and Corrective Action
Within 80 months after the airplane's first flight, do a
detailed inspection of each tie rod assembly having a part number
(P/N) D52840212000 or D52840212002 at the MLG hinged fairing for the
presence of cadmium plating (gold colored threads), in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-52-1167, dated August 6, 2015. If during the inspection any tie
rod assembly is found that does not have cadmium plating, before
further flight, replace the tie rod assembly with a serviceable part
having the same part number and cadmium plating, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1167, dated August 6, 2015.
(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, 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 an airworthy
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0234, dated December 8,
2015, 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-2016-9110.
(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 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-22435 Filed 9-16-16; 8:45 am]
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