[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29421-29423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13048]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0443; Product Identifier 2019-NM-056-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and A321-253N airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the pylon block seals.
This proposed AD would require replacement of the pylon block seals, as
specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be
incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 8,
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 material identified in this NPRM that will be incorporated
by reference (IBR), contact the 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-2019-
0443; 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 is listed above.
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; phone and fax: 206-231-3223.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2019-0443;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-056-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The agency
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this NPRM based on those comments.
The FAA will post all comments, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact the agency receives about this NPRM.
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0068, dated March 27, 2019
(``EASA AD 2019-0068'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and A321-253N
airplanes. The MCAI states:
Cracks have been reported on pylon block seals of aeroplanes in
final assembly line. Investigation results identified a
manufacturing issue, leading to lack of thickness of seal on the
engines and, eventually, cracks on pylon block seals. Affected
aeroplanes have also been identified.
This condition, if not corrected, could reduce the firewall
integrity function between the pylon and the nacelle.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the SB
[Airbus Service Bulletin A320-54-1040, dated April 20, 2018],
providing replacement instructions.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
replacement of pylon block seals.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0068 describes procedures for replacement of the pylon
block seals. 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.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
[[Page 29422]]
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority,
the agency has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency
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.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2019-0068 described previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this AD.
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,
the FAA expects that EASA AD 2019-0068 will be incorporated by
reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore,
require compliance with the provisions specified in EASA AD 2019-0068,
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Service
information specified in EASA AD 2019-0068 that is required for
compliance with EASA AD 2019-0068 will be available on the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0443 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 9 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The agency estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................... $5,300 $5,470 $49,230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the agency has included
all known costs in the cost estimate.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
(3) 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-2019-0443; Product Identifier 2019-NM-
056-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by August 8, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and A321-253N
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0068, dated March 27, 2019
(``EASA AD 2019-0068'').
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
pylons.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the pylon block
seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks on pylon block
seals, which could reduce the firewall integrity between the pylon
and the nacelle.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
[[Page 29423]]
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0068.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0068
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0068 refers to its effective date,
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2019-0068 specifies credit for actions
``accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance
with the instructions of the applicable Airplane Maintenance
Manual,'' this AD provides credit for actions ``accomplished before
the effective date of this AD in accordance with the instructions of
an FAA-approved maintenance or inspection program.''
(3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0068 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0068
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(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]. 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For information about EASA AD 2019-0068, contact the EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +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 2019-0068 may be found in the AD docket on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2019-0443.
(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; phone and
fax: 206-231-3223.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 12, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13048 Filed 6-21-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P