[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40438-40443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17482]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0709; Product Identifier 2018-NM-100-AD; Amendment 
39-19359; AD 2018-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 40439]]


ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
reports that electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs), installed on the 
inboard ailerons, elevators, and rudder, had degraded insulation 
resistance in the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV), due to incorrect 
sealing application. This AD requires a check of the insulation 
resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA and applicable corrective 
actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 30, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 30, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 1, 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: 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 SAS service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; phone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax: +33 5 61 93 45 80; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://www.airbus.com. For Moog Aircraft Group service 
information identified in this final rule, contact Moog Aircraft Group, 
Plant 4, 160 Jamison Road, East Aurora, NY 14052-0018; phone: 716-652-
2000; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.moog.com. You may view 
this referenced 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. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0709.

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-
0709; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(phone: 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; phone and fax: 206-231-3218.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0141, dated July 3, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported of EHA units that were returned to the 
manufacturer (MOOG Aircraft Group) with degraded insulation 
resistance in the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV). Investigation 
results revealed that moisture ingress, due to incorrect sealing 
application, had caused this degradation.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the 
DDSOV being unable to command or maintain the EHA in active mode, 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    Due to similarity of design, all five EHA positions could be 
affected, inboard aileron EHAs (Functional Item Number (FIN) 4CR1 
and FIN 4CR2), elevator EHAs (FIN 2CT1 and FIN 2CT2) and the rudder 
EHA (FIN 3CY). Prompted by these findings, MOOG Aircraft Group 
improved the manufacturing process to ensure adequate sealing 
capability of the DDSOV and issued the applicable SB [MOOG Aircraft 
Group Service Bulletins CA67001-27-05; CA67006-27-04; and CA67008-
27-04] providing a screening procedure. To address this potential 
unsafe condition, Airbus issued the AOT [Alert Operators 
Transmission A27P009-16] and the Airbus SB [Service Bulletin A350-
27-P020], providing instructions to restore the EHA to nominal 
performance.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time insulation check of each affected EHA, and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    Corrective actions include replacing or reidentifying affected 
EHAs. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0709.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus SAS has issued Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, dated February 
22, 2018. This service information describes procedures for an 
insulation resistance check (detailed inspection) of the DDSOV of each 
affected EHA and applicable corrective actions.
    Moog Aircraft Group has issued Service Bulletin CA67001-27-05, 
dated February 21, 2018. This service information identifies affected 
EHAs for certain inboard ailerons and describes, among other actions, 
procedures for applicable corrective actions.
    Moog Aircraft Group has issued Service Bulletin CA67006-27-04, 
dated February 21, 2018. This service information identifies affected 
EHAs for certain elevators and describes, among other actions, 
procedures for applicable corrective actions.
    Moog Aircraft Group has issued Service Bulletin CA67008-27-04, 
dated February 21, 2018. This service information identifies affected 
EHAs for certain rudders and describes, among other actions, procedures 
for 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

    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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Requirements of This AD

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously. This AD also requires sending the 
results of the check to AirbusWorld.

[[Page 40440]]

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
insulation resistance in the DDSOV can degrade to unsafe levels within 
three months, which could lead to the DDSOV being unable to command or 
maintain the EHA in active mode, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the airplane. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity 
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that, 
for the same reason, good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0709; Product 
Identifier 2018-NM-100-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                  Parts cost         Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 24 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $0  Up to $2,040.............  Up to $22,440.
 Up to $2,040.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Labor cost                Parts cost        Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 30 work-hours x $85 per   Up to $518,314...  Up to $520,864.
 hour = Up to $2,550.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
reporting the check results on U.S. operators to be $85 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 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 known costs in our cost 
estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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 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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:

[[Page 40441]]

    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2018-17-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19359; Docket No. FAA-2018-0709; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-100-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 30, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial 
numbers.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that electro-hydrostatic 
actuators (EHAs), installed on the inboard ailerons, elevators, and 
rudder, had degraded insulation resistance in the direct drive 
solenoid valve (DDSOV), due to incorrect sealing application. We are 
issuing this AD to address this condition, which could lead to the 
DDSOV being unable to command or maintain the EHA in active mode, 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    For the purposes of this AD, the definitions specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD apply.
    (1) An affected EHA is an EHA installed on inboard ailerons, 
elevators, and rudder, as listed by part number and serial number in 
the applicable service information specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, except those that 
are paint marked, as specified in the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of 
this AD.
    (i) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67001-27-05, dated 
February 21, 2018 (aileron).
    (ii) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67006-27-04, dated 
February 21, 2018 (elevator).
    (iii) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67008-27-04, dated 
February 21, 2018 (rudder).
    (2) A serviceable EHA is an EHA having a part number and serial 
number not listed in the applicable service information specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD; or an 
affected EHA having a paint mark as specified in the applicable 
service information specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), 
and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD.
    (3) Group 1 airplanes are those that have an affected EHA 
installed. Group 2 airplanes are those that do not have an affected 
EHA installed.

(h) Initial Insulation Resistance Check

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes, which have not been inspected in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus Alert Operators 
Transmission (AOT) A27P009-16: Within 3 months after the airplane 
has reached 700 flight hours since airplane first flight, or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
accomplish an insulation resistance check (detailed inspection) of 
the DDSOV of each affected EHA, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, 
dated February 22, 2018.
    (2) For Group 1 airplanes, which have been inspected in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A27P009-16: Within 3 
months after the airplane has reached 36 months since airplane first 
flight, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, accomplish an insulation resistance check of 
the DDSOV of each affected EHA, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, 
dated February 22, 2018.

(i) Additional Check and Corrective Action

    (1) If during the check required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, 
the measured insulation resistance is 15 Megohms (MOhms) or less, 
before next flight, replace the affected EHA with a serviceable EHA, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-27-P020, dated February 22, 2018.
    (2) If during the check required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, 
the measured insulation resistance is more than 15 MOhms, within 3 
months after the airplane has reached 36 months since airplane first 
flight, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, accomplish an insulation resistance check of 
the DDSOV of each affected EHA, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, 
dated February 22, 2018.
    (3) Depending on measured resistance result of the check 
required by paragraph (h)(2) or (i)(2) of this AD, within the 
applicable compliance time defined in figure 1 to paragraph (i)(3) 
of this AD, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) defined 
in figure 1 to paragraph (i)(3) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, 
dated February 22, 2018; or the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of 
this AD.

[[Page 40442]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR15AU18.001

(j) Reporting

    For each check required by paragraph (h)(2) or (i)(2) of this 
AD: Within 30 days after each check required by paragraph (h)(2) or 
(i)(2) of this AD or within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, report the results, including no 
findings, using the online reporting application in AirbusWorld, as 
specified in Appendix A. ``Inspection Report'' of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-27-P020, dated February 22, 2018.

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition

    For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes: From the effective date of 
this AD, no person may install an affected EHA on any airplane.

(l) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(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 Section, 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 2018-0141, dated July 3, 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-2018-0709.
    (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; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3218.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus SAS Service Bulletin A350-27-P020, dated February 22, 
2018.
    (ii) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67001-27-05, dated 
February 21, 2018.
    (iii) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67006-27-04, dated 
February 21, 2018.
    (iv) Moog Aircraft Group Service Bulletin CA67008-27-04, dated 
February 21, 2018.
    (3) For Airbus SAS service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; phone: +33 5 61 93 36 
96; fax: +33 5 61 93 45 80; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) For Moog Aircraft Group service information identified in 
this AD, contact Moog Aircraft Group, Plant 4, 160 Jamison Road, 
East Aurora, NY 14052-0018; phone: 716-652-2000; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.moog.com.
    (5) 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.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records

[[Page 40443]]

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 5, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17482 Filed 8-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P