[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22414-22417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10211]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0410; Product Identifier 2018-NM-030-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus

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 A350-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an 
inspection on the production line that revealed evidence of paint 
peeling on the forward and aft cargo frame forks around the hook bolt 
hole. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection for 
any deficiency of the frame forks around the hook bolt hole on certain 
forward and aft cargo doors and applicable corrective actions. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

[[Page 22415]]

     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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 
80; email [email protected]; internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
231-3195.

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-2018-
0410; 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 NPRM, 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0410; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-030-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0031, dated January 31, 2018 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    Following an inspection on the production line, paint peeling 
was found on forward and aft cargo door frame forks around the hook 
bolt hole. Subsequent investigations determined this had been caused 
by incorrect masking method during application of primer, top coat 
and Tartaric Sulfuric Anodizing (TSA) layer. As the cargo doors are 
located in an area with high corrosion sensitivity, where a surface 
protection with primer, top coat and TSA is specified, in case of 
paint peeling off, galvanic corrosion could develop.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
cargo door failure, possibly resulting in decompression of the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus identified 
the affected parts and issued the SB [Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) 
A350-52-P011, dated May 12, 2017] to provide inspection 
instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time detailed [visual] inspection (DET) of the affected parts [for 
discrepancies] and, depending on findings, accomplishment of 
applicable corrective action(s) [i.e., restoration of the anti-
corrosion protection of frame forks of affected parts].

    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-2018-
0410.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A350-52-P011, dated May 
12, 2017. This service information describes procedures for a one-time 
detailed visual inspection of the frame forks around the hook bolt hole 
on the forward and aft cargo door, and applicable corrective actions. 
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 the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 9 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action                Labor cost       Parts cost        Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................  Up to 9 work-                 $0  Up to $765.............  Up to $6,885.
                                hours x $85 per
                                hour = $765.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition 
actions that would be required based on the results of the proposed 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need this action:

[[Page 22416]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restoration...................................  9 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $50            $815
                                                 $765.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, all 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 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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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-2018-0410; Product Identifier 2018-NM-030-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes certificated 
in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an inspection on the production line 
that revealed evidence of paint peeling on the forward and aft cargo 
frame forks around the hook bolt hole. We are issuing this AD to 
address paint peeling on the forward and aft cargo doors that could 
develop into galvanic corrosion, which could lead to cargo door 
failure and possibly result in decompression of the airplane and 
injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

 (g) Definitions

    (1) For the purpose of this AD, the affected parts are forward 
cargo doors, part number (P/N) WG102AGAAAAF and P/N WG102AKAAAAF, 
serial number (S/N) UH10007 through UH10022 inclusive, except S/N 
UH10009; and aft cargo doors P/N WH102AHAAAAC and P/N WH102ALAAAAC, 
S/N UH10008 through UH10022 inclusive.
    (2) For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable forward cargo door 
or a serviceable aft cargo door is a part that is not identified as 
an affected part, or is a part identified as an affected part on 
which a detailed visual inspection specified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-52-P011, dated May 12, 2017, has been done and there 
were no findings.

(h) Inspection

    Within 36 months since the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
accomplish a detailed visual inspection of each affected part for 
any deficiency (e.g., any paint peel-off of the hook bolt hole of 
the frame fork), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-52-P011, dated May 12, 2017.

(i) Corrective Actions

    If, during any detailed visual inspection required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, any deficiency is found, before next flight, restore 
the anti-corrosion protection of frame forks of the affected part, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-52-P011, dated May 12, 2017, except as required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Where Airbus Service Bulletin A350-52-P011, dated May 12, 2017, 
specifies contacting Airbus, and specifies that action as RC: This 
AD requires repair using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD.

(k) Parts Installation Limitation

    From the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install on 
an airplane a forward cargo door or an aft cargo door, provided the 
part is a serviceable forward cargo door or serviceable aft cargo 
door as defined in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

[[Page 22417]]

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (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 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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): Except as required by 
paragraph (j) 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0031, dated January 31, 2018, 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-2018-0410.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3218.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; internet http://www.airbus.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 7, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-10211 Filed 5-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P