[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4310-4313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02161]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0788; Product Identifier 2018-NM-004-AD; Amendment
39-19544; AD 2019-01-05]
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 certain
Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -200F, and -300 series airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a revision of the airworthiness limitations section
(ALS), which provides new and more restrictive maintenance requirements
and airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and systems. This
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to
incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 22, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 22,
2019.
ADDRESSES: For 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. 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-
0788.
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-
0788; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3229.
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 certain Airbus SAS Model
A330-200, -200F, and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 31, 2018 (83 FR 44510). The NPRM was
prompted by a revision of the ALS, which provides new and more
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations for
airplane structures and systems. The NPRM proposed to require revising
the existing maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations.
We are issuing this AD to address reduced airplane control due to
the failure of system components.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2017-0228, dated November 21, 2017 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330 and A340
series airplanes. The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations are currently defined and
published in the Airbus A330 and A340 Airworthiness Limitations
Section (ALS) documents. The airworthiness limitations applicable to
the System Equipment Maintenance Requirements, which are approved by
EASA, are specified in Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 4. Failure to
comply with these instructions could result in an unsafe condition.
EASA issued AD 2016-0011 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2017-05-
10, Amendment 39-18821 (82 FR 13379, March 13, 2017) (``AD 2017-05-
10'')] to require the actions as specified in Airbus A330 and A340
ALS Part 4 at Revision 05 and Revision 04, respectively.
Since this [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus published Revision 06
and Revision 05, respectively, of Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 4,
which introduce new and more restrictive maintenance requirements
and/or airworthiness limitations.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2016-0011, which is superseded, and requires
accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus A330 ALS Part 4
Revision 06, or A340 ALS Part 4 Revision 05, as applicable.
The unsafe condition is reduced control of the airplane due to the
failure of system components. 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-2018-0788.
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 each comment.
Request To Include Later Version of the Service Information
American Airlines (AAL) requested that we include Airbus A330
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018,
as the appropriate source of service information. AAL indicated that
the variation document increases the flight cycle life limitation of
trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) actuator P/N 47172-540 from
10,000 flight cycles to 20,000 flight cycles. AAL also pointed out an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) for AD 2017-05-10 has been
[[Page 4311]]
approved to allow the incorporation of the variation document into
AAL's maintenance program (AMOC AIR-676-18-026R1, dated August 13,
2018).
We agree with the commenter's request for the reasons provided. We
have revised paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD to include Airbus A330
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018,
as an appropriate source of service information.
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 changes 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 the following service information.
A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4,
System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated
September 18, 2017. This service information describes preventative
maintenance requirements and associated airworthiness limitations
applicable to aircraft systems susceptible to aging effects.
A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4,
System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated
January 16, 2018. This service information describes preventative
maintenance requirements and associated airworthiness limitations
applicable to the THS actuator P/N 47172-540 and changes the flight
cycle life limitation from 10,000 flight cycles to 20,000 flight
cycles.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 104 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We have determined that revising the existing 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 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 workhour).
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):
2019-01-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19544; Docket No. FAA-2018-0788;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-004-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 22, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2017-05-10, Amendment 39-18821 (82 FR 13379,
March 13, 2017) (``AD 2017-05-10'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-
203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-223F, A330-243F, A330-301, A330-302,
A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, and
A330-343 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original
certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of
airworthiness issued on or before September 18, 2017.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a revision of the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS), which provides new and more restrictive
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations for airplane
structures and systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent
[[Page 4312]]
reduced airplane control due to the failure of system components.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Maintenance Program Revision
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by
incorporating Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision
06, dated September 18, 2017; or Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018. The
initial compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus A330
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated September 18,
2017, or the actions specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018, are
within the applicable compliance times specified in Airbus A330
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated September 18,
2017, or Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4,
System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1,
dated January 16, 2018; or within 90 days after the effective date
of this AD; whichever occurs later; except as required by paragraph
(h) of this AD.
(h) Exceptions to Initial Compliance Times
(1) Where Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision
06, dated September 18, 2017; or Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018; defines
a calendar compliance time for elevator servo-controls having part
number (P/N) SC4800-2, SC4800-3, SC4800-4, SC4800-6, SC4800-7, or
SC4800-8 as ``August 31, 2004,'' the calendar compliance time is
June 13, 2007 (34 months after August 13, 2004 (the effective date
of AD 2004-13-25, Amendment 39-13707 (69 FR 41394, July 9, 2004))).
(2) Where Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision
06, dated September 18, 2017; or Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018; defines
a calendar compliance time for spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) having
P/N 1386A0000-01, 1386B0000-01, 1387A0000-01, or 1387B0000-01 as
``December 31, 2003,'' the calendar compliance time is November 19,
2005 (13 months after October 19, 2004 (the effective date of AD
2004-18-14, Amendment 39-13793 (69 FR 55326, September 14, 2004))).
(3) Where Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision
06, dated September 18, 2017; or Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018; defines
a calendar compliance time for elevator servo-controls having P/N
SC4800-73, SC4800-93, SC4800-103, and SC4800-113 as ``June 30,
2008,'' the calendar compliance time is September 16, 2009 (17
months after April 16, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-06-07,
Amendment 39-15419 (73 FR 13103, March 12, 2008; corrected April 15,
2008 (73 FR 20367)))).
(4) The initial compliance time for replacement of the
retraction brackets of the main landing gear (MLG) having a part
number specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) through (h)(4)(xvi) of this
AD is before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on the
affected retraction brackets of the MLG, or within 900 flight hours
after April 9, 2012 (the effective date of AD 2012-04-07, Amendment
39-16963 (77 FR 12989, March 5, 2012)), whichever occurs later.
(i) 201478303.
(ii) 201478304.
(iii) 201478305.
(iv) 201478306.
(v) 201478307.
(vi) 201478308.
(vii) 201428380.
(viii) 201428381.
(ix) 201428382.
(x) 201428383.
(xi) 201428384.
(xii) 201428385.
(xiii) 201428378.
(xiv) 201428379.
(xv) 201428351.
(xvi) 201428352.
(5) Where Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)
Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision
06, dated September 18, 2017; or Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated January 16, 2018; defines
a calendar compliance time for the modification of SSCs on three
hydraulic circuits having P/N MZ4339390-01X, MZ4306000-01X,
MZ4339390-02X, MZ4306000-02X, MZ4339390-10X, or MZ4306000-10X as
``March 5, 2010,'' the calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011
(18 months after October 14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-
20, Amendment 39-16017 (74 FR 46313, September 9, 2009) (``AD 2009-
18-20''))).
(6) Where Note (17) of Sub-Part 1, ``Life Limits,'' of Section
3, ``Systems Life-Limited Components,'' of Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated September 18, 2017; or
Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System
Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated
January 16, 2018; defines a calendar date of ``September 5, 2008,''
as a date for the determination of accumulated flight cycles since
the airplane's initial entry into service, the date is October 14,
2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20).
(7) Where Note (17) of Sub-Part 1, ``Life Limits,'' of Section
3, ``Systems Life-Limited Components,'' of Airbus A330 Airworthiness
Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System Equipment Maintenance
Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated September 18, 2017; or
Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4, System
Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1, dated
January 16, 2018; defines a calendar compliance time as ``March 5,
2010,'' for the modification of affected servo controls, the
calendar compliance time is April 14, 2011 (18 months after October
14, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-18-20)).
(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After accomplishing the revision 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 (k)(1) of this AD.
(j) Terminating Actions for the Requirements of AD 2017-05-10
Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD
terminates all requirements of AD 2017-05-10.
(k) 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 (l)(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.
(l) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0228, dated November 21, 2017, for related
information. This MCAI may be
[[Page 4313]]
found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0788.
(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;
phone and fax: 206-231-3229.
(m) 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 A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4,
System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 06, dated
September 18, 2017.
(ii) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4,
System Equipment Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Variation 6.1,
dated January 16, 2018.
(3) For 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) 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 January 10, 2019.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-02161 Filed 2-14-19; 8:45 am]
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