[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2465-2467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01237]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 26 / Thursday, February 7, 2019 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 2465]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-1068; Product Identifier 2018-NM-140-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 A319-113 and -114 airplanes, and Model A320-211 and -
212 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a life-
limit of 64,000 flight cycles has been established for certain titanium
crossbeams of the forward engine mount. This proposed AD would require
repetitive replacements of all affected crossbeams of the forward
engine mount. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2019.
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 the incorporation by reference (IBR) material described in the
``Related IBR material under 1 CFR part 51'' section in SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected];
internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA
website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material 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 in the AD docket on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
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-
1068; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223.
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-2018-1068;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-140-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
2018-0212, dated September 28, 2018 (``EASA AD 2018-0212'') (also
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model
A319-113 and -114 airplanes, and Model A320-211 and -212 airplanes. The
MCAI states:
The forward engine mount crossbeam of the CFM56-5A engine, [part
number] P/N 238-0204-501, is made of titanium. A life limit of
64,000 FC [flight cycles] has been demonstrated. Due to potential
transferability of a crossbeam from one aeroplane to another, it is
necessary to track the life of this part and to remove it before
exceeding the life limit.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to forward engine
mount crossbeam failure, possibly resulting in engine detachment in
flight and consequent reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus published the
SB [Service Bulletin A320-71-1073, dated June 8, 2018], providing
instructions to identify the P/N of the crossbeam installed on an
aeroplane and to remove affected crossbeam before exceeding the life
limit. Airbus also issued SB A320-71-1076, providing modification
instructions for installation of improved forward engine mount steel
crossbeams P/N 642-2002-503.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires the
implementation of the new life limit for the affected crossbeams.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2018-0212 describes procedures for repetitive replacements
of all affected crossbeams of the forward engine mount. This material
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 and it is publicly available through the EASA
website.
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 referenced
above. We are
[[Page 2466]]
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.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a process to
use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information for
compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. As a result,
EASA AD 2018-0212 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final
rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with the
provisions specified in EASA AD 2018-0212, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Service information specified in EASA AD 2018-0212 that is required for
compliance with EASA AD 2018-0212 will be available at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2018-1068 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 59 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 134 work-hours x $85 Up to $23,278............. Up to $34,668............. Up to $2,045,412.
per hour = $11,390.
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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 and associated appliances 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 SAS: Docket No. FAA-2018-1068; Product Identifier 2018-NM-
140-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 25, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A319-113 and -114
airplanes, and Model A320-211 and -212 airplanes, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that a life-limit of 64,000
flight cycles has been established for certain titanium crossbeams
of the forward engine mount. We are issuing this AD to address
failure of a crossbeam of the forward engine mount, which could
result in detachment of the engine and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0212,
dated September 28, 2018 (``EASA AD 2018-0212'').
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018-0212
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2018-0212 refers to its effective date,
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2018-0212 specifies replacing
``with instructions provided by Airbus,'' for this AD, the
replacement must be done using a method approved in accordance with
the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2018-0212 specifies flight
cycles (FC), this AD requires using ``total flight cycles.''
(4) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2018-0212 does not apply.
[[Page 2467]]
(i) 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 (j)(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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or 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): For any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2018-0212 that contains RC procedures and
tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC
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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For information about EASA AD 2018-0212, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
89990 6017; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu.
You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this EASA AD 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. EASA AD 2018-0212 may be found in the AD docket on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2018-1068.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3223.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on January 10, 2019.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-01237 Filed 2-6-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P