[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38088-38091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16574]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0704; Product Identifier 2018-NM-066-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 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 SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, -200 and -300 series airplanes; 
and Airbus SAS Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of depressurization of 
hydraulic reservoirs caused by air leakage from the pressure relief 
valve (PRV) of the hydraulic reservoir (HR) due to the extrusion of the 
O-ring seal from certain HR PRVs. This proposed AD would require 
identifying the part number of the HR, and replacing and re-identifying 
affected HR PRVs. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 17, 
2018.

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: 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, Rond Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 
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-
0704; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229.

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-2018-0704; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-066-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 because 
of 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 
Airworthiness Directive 2018-0064, dated March 23, 2018 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model 
A330-200 Freighter, -200 and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus SAS 
Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Some events of depressurisation of hydraulic reservoirs have 
been reported, due to air leakage from the HR PRV [hydraulic 
reservoir pressure relief valve]. The results of the investigations 
revealed that the air leakage was due to the extrusion of the O-ring 
seal from the HR PRV. This may have

[[Page 38089]]

happened during HR maintenance, testing or during flight, if HR 
over-filling was performed, as a result of which hydraulic fluid 
could pass through the PRV, causing [the] PRV seal to migrate from 
its nominal position, leading to loss of HR pressurisation.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the 
loss of one or more hydraulic systems, possibly resulting in loss of 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the 
AOT [Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A29L005-16, dated January 
28, 2016] to provide instructions to inspect the HR fluid level of 
each hydraulic circuit and to provide instructions for certain 
actions when servicing with hydraulic fluid is accomplished on an 
HR. Consequently, EASA published AD 2016-0107 [related FAA AD 2017-
01-08, Amendment 39-18775 (82 FR 1593, January 6, 2017) (``2017-01-
08'')] to require accomplishment of these actions for aeroplanes in 
service.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it was determined that the 
detected air leakage was due to the extrusion of the O-ring seal 
from a specific batch of HR PRV. Airbus published the applicable 
inspection SB [service bulletin] to inspect the HR of each hydraulic 
circuit and to provide instructions to identify the affected parts, 
and the Modification SB to provide instructions for replacement of 
each affected part fitted on an affected HR.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0107, which is superseded, and requires 
the [identification and] replacement [and re-identification] of the 
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-
0704.

Relationship Between Proposed AD and AD 2017-01-08

    This NPRM does not propose to supersede AD 2017-01-08. Rather, we 
have determined that a stand-alone AD is more appropriate to address 
the changes in the MCAI. This proposed AD would require identifying, 
replacing, and re-identifying affected HR PRVs. Accomplishing the 
proposed actions would then terminate all requirements of AD 2017-01-
08.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus SAS has issued the following service information, which 
describes procedures for identifying HR part numbers. These documents 
are distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
     Service Bulletin A330-29-3134, dated August 16, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A340-29-4102, dated August 16, 2017.
    Airbus SAS has also issued the following service information, which 
describes procedures for replacing and re-identifying affected PRVs and 
HRs. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane models.
     Service Bulletin A330-29-3131, dated August 11, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A330-29-3132, dated August 11, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A330-29-3133, dated August 11, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A340-29-4099, dated August 11. 2017.
     Service Bulletin A340-29-4100, dated August 11, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A340-29-4101, dated August 11, 2017.
     Service Bulletin A340-29-5026, dated August 11, 2017.
    Safran has issued Vendor Service Bulletins 42-29-005, Revision 01, 
dated September 26, 2017, and 42-29-006, Revision 01, dated September 
27, 2017. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane models. This service information describes procedures for 
replacing affected HR PRVs, and including the serial numbers of those 
PRVs.
    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

    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 the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 103 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.
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 6 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $510..................          $3,390    Up to $3,900  Up to $401,700
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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

[[Page 38090]]

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 SAS: Docket No. FAA-2018-0704; Product Identifier 2018-NM-
066-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 17, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2017-01-08, Amendment 39-18775 (82 FR 1593, 
January 5, 2017) (``AD 2017-01-08'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) of this AD, 
certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus SAS Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
    (2) Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 
airplanes.
    (3) Airbus SAS Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -
341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
    (4) Airbus SAS Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
    (5) Airbus SAS Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
    (6) Airbus SAS Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of depressurization of hydraulic 
reservoirs caused by air leakage from the pressure relief valve 
(PRV) of the hydraulic reservoir (HR) due to the extrusion of the O-
ring seal from certain HR PRVs. We are issuing this AD to address 
air leakage from the HR PRV, which could lead to the loss of one or 
more hydraulic systems, with the possible loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions for This AD

    (1) Affected HRs are identified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), 
(h), (i), and (j) of this AD.
    (2) Affected PRVs are installed on affected HRs and have part 
number 42F0026 and a serial number identified in Safran Vendor 
Service Bulletins 42-29-005, Revision 01, dated September 26, 2017; 
and 42-29-006, Revision 01, dated September 27, 2017, as applicable.
    (3) A Group 1 airplane has an affected PRV installed.
    (4) A Group 2 airplane does not have any affected PRV installed. 
A Model A330 airplane on which Airbus SAS modifications 206863, 
206864, and 206965 have been embodied in production is a Group 2 
airplane, provided the airplane remains in that configuration.
    (5) In table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD: 
Green hydraulic circuit is (G), blue hydraulic circuit is (B), and 
yellow hydraulic circuit is (Y).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP03AU18.001

(h) Part Number Inspection

    At the applicable time specified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), 
(h), (i), and (j) of this AD, identify the HR part number, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3134, dated August 
16, 2017; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4102, dated August 16, 
2017; as applicable.

(i) Replacement

    For Group 1 airplanes: At the applicable time specified in table 
1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD, replace each 
affected PRV in accordance with the

[[Page 38091]]

applicable service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) 
through (i)(7) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3131, dated August 11, 2017.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3132, dated August 11, 2017.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3133, dated August 11, 2017.
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4099, dated August 11. 2017.
    (5) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4100, dated August 11, 2017.
    (6) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4101, dated August 11, 2017.
    (7) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-5026, dated August 11, 2017.

(j) Part Re-identification

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes: Concurrently with the PRV replacement 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD, re-identify the part numbers 
of affected HRs as specified in table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), 
and (j) of this AD, in accordance with the applicable service 
information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(7) of this 
AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes: At the applicable time specified in 
table 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this AD, re-identify 
the part numbers of affected PRVs and HRs, in accordance with the 
applicable service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) 
through (i)(7) of this AD.

(k) Terminating Action

    Replacement of all affected PRVs on an airplane, as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, terminates all requirements of AD 2017-01-
08 for that airplane.

(l) Parts Installation Prohibition

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes: After replacement of all affected 
parts as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, do not install any 
affected PRV.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, 
do not install any affected PRV.

(m) 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 Branch, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (n)(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 SAS'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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0064, dated March 23, 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-2018-0704.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax: 206-231-3229.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond Point Emile Dewoitine 
No: 2, 31700 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 July 25, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16574 Filed 8-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P