[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31772-31775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14046]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0498; Product Identifier 2019-NM-073-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, -323, and -
343 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that cracks 
have been found within the ring gears of the slat geared rotary 
actuators (SGRAs) due to a change in the manufacturing process and 
inadequate post-production non-destructive testing for potential 
cracking. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine the 
part number and serial number of the SGRAs, and replacement of each 
affected SGRA with a serviceable part, as specified in an 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 19, 
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 proposed AD that will be 
incorporated by reference (IBR), contact the EASA, at 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 by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0498.

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-
0498; 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

[[Page 31773]]

available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229.

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-2019-0498; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-073-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 FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments the agency receives, 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 received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0093, dated April 26, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0093'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, -
323, and -343 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Cracks have been found within the ring gears of an SGRA. 
Investigation identified that this is due to a change in the 
manufacturing process of the 300M steel raw material in conjunction 
with inadequate post-production non-destructive testing for 
potential cracks. A batch of SGRA has been identified as having been 
subject to this manufacturing process.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could, in 
combination with an independent failure on the second SGRA of the 
same slat surface, lead to an uncontrolled movement of the affected 
slat surface in flight, or detachment of the slat surface, possibly 
resulting in damage to the stabilizers, or reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the SB 
[service bulletin] to provide instructions to replace the affected 
parts, referencing the Liebherr SB for in-shop correction.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires [an 
inspection to determine the part number and serial number of an SGRA 
and] replacement of each affected part with a serviceable part [if 
necessary].

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0093 describes procedures for an inspection to 
determine the part number and serial number of the SGRAs, and 
replacement of each affected part with a serviceable part.
    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 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA 
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the agencey 
evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2019-0093 described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this AD and except as discussed under ``Differences 
Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.''

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 2019-0093 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final 
rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with the 
provisions specified in EASA AD 2019-0093, through that incorporation, 
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory 
text of this proposed AD. Service information specified in EASA AD 
2019-0093 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2019-0093 will 
be available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0498 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2019-0093 requires that operators report to Airbus when all 
affected parts have been replaced. This AD, however, does not include 
that requirement. The FAA has determined that reporting may be done at 
the discretion of the operators, but reporting is not necessary. Only 
two U.S.-registered airplanes are affected. Reporting would not provide 
useful statistical information to Airbus. Further, any affected part 
must be sent to the parts manufacturer for repair, which will provide 
the visibility of a discrepant part that was initially installed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 2 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates 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 2 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0   Up to $170..................  Up to $340.
 $170.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

[[Page 31774]]



                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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          Labor cost               Parts cost        Cost per  product
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Up to 15 work-hours x $85 per                  *   Up to $1,275. *
 hour = $1,275.
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* 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. We do not control warranty coverage
  for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all known
  costs in our 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: Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866; Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and 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-2019-0498; Product Identifier 2019-NM-
073-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 19, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, 
-323, and -343 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0093, 
dated April 26, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0093'').

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that cracks have been found 
within the ring gears of the slat geared rotary actuators (SGRAs) 
due to a change in the manufacturing process and inadequate post-
production non-destructive testing for potential cracking. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address cracking of an SGRA, which, in 
combination with an independent failure on the second SGRA of the 
same slat surface, could lead to an uncontrolled movement of the 
affected slat surface in flight, or detachment of the slat surface, 
and could possibly result in damage to the stabilizers and 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, EASA AD 2019-0093.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0093

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0093 refers to its effective date, 
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0093 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although EASA AD 2019-0093 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any service information 
referenced in EASA AD 2019-0093 that contains RC procedures and 
tests: Except as required by paragraph (j)(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

[[Page 31775]]

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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For information about EASA AD 2019-0093, contact the 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 2019-0093 may be found in the AD docket on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0498.
    (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; 
telephone and fax: 206-231-3229.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 25, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14046 Filed 7-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P