[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 189 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48932-48935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0360; Product Identifier 2018-NM-009-AD; Amendment 
39-19434; AD 2018-19-33]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, 
and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model 
A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a determination 
that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We 
are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 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 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-
0360.

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-
0360; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series 
airplanes). The

[[Page 48933]]

NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2018 (83 FR 18756). 
The NPRM was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. 
The NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
    We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, damage, or 
corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
EASA AD 2017-0205, dated October 12, 2017 (referred to after this as 
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, 
B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). The 
MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for the Airbus A300-600 
aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and 
published in the Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS) documents. The Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items 
are specified in the A300-600 ALS Part 2. These instructions have 
been identified as mandatory for continuing airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition [i.e., to prevent fatigue cracking, damage, or 
corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane].
    EASA previously issued [EASA] AD 2016-0218 [which corresponds to 
FAA AD 2018-01-07, Amendment 39-19148 (83 FR 2042, January 16, 2018) 
(``AD 2018-01-07'')] to require compliance with the maintenance 
requirements and associated airworthiness limitations defined in 
Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 2 Revision 01, Variation 1.1 and Variation 
1.2.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations were approved 
by the EASA. Consequently, Airbus published Revision 02 of the A300-
600 ALS Part 2, compiling all ALS Part 2 changes approved since 
previous Revision 01.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0218, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 
2 Revision 02.

    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-
0360.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comment received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request

    United Parcel Service (UPS) requested that we provide approval for 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) that were previously approved 
for AD 2013-13-13, Amendment 39-17501 (79 FR 48957, August 19, 2014) 
(``AD 2013-13-13''); and AD 2018-01-07, Amendment 39-19148 (83 FR 2042, 
January 16, 2018) (``AD 2018-01-07'').
    We agree that AMOCs previously approved for AD 2018-01-07 and AD 
2013-13-13 should be approved for this AD. The FAA has reviewed the 
related AMOCs, and it is acceptable to give credit for previous AMOCs 
approved for AD 2018-01-07, which will be terminated by this AD. AD 
2018-01-07 approved the use of AMOCs for AD 2013-13-13, and those AMOCs 
remain in force. As a result, we have revised paragraph (j)(1) of this 
AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the change described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus SAS has issued A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section 
(ALS), Part 2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI),'' Revision 02, dated August 28, 2017. This service information 
describes airworthiness limitations applicable to the DT-ALIs. 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 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 issuing 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.
    This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with 
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have 
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed 
by this AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions 
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 
91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an AMOC according to 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. The request should include a description 
of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued 
damage tolerance of the affected structure.

Difference Between the MCAI and This AD

    The MCAI specifies that if there are findings from the ALS 
inspection tasks, corrective actions must be accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus SAS maintenance documentation. However, this AD does not 
include that requirement. Operators of U.S.-registered airplanes are 
required by general airworthiness and operational regulations to 
perform maintenance using methods that are acceptable to the FAA. We 
consider those methods to be adequate to address any corrective actions 
necessitated by the findings of ALS inspections required by this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 125 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although we 
recognize that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the 
past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per 
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), we

[[Page 48934]]

have determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a 
per-airplane estimate. Therefore, we estimate the total cost per 
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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:
    (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):

.2018-19-33 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19434; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0360; Product Identifier 2018-NM-009-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 2, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2018-01-07, Amendment 39-19148 (83 FR 2042, 
January 16, 2018) (``AD 2018-01-07'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, 
B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial 
numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/
maintenance checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, 
damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS), Part 2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation 
Items (DT-ALI),'' Revision 02, dated August 28, 2017. The initial 
compliance times for doing the tasks are at the applicable times 
specified in Airbus A300-600 ALS, Part 2, ``Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' Revision 02, dated August 
28, 2017, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD.

(i) Terminating Actions for AD 2018-01-07

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all 
requirements of AD 2018-01-07.

(j) 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 (k)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2018-01-07 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of 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 
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.

[[Page 48935]]

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0205, dated October 12, 2017, 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-2018-0360.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3225.

(l) 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 A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), 
Part 2, ``Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
Revision 02, dated August 28, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 
No: 2, 31700 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records 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 September 17, 2018.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20921 Filed 9-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P