[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50716-50719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20898]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0486; Product Identifier 2019-NM-061-AD; Amendment 
39-19733; AD 2019-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus SAS Model A318-112, -121, and -122; A319-111, -112, -
115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-214, -216, -232, -233, -251N, and -
271N; and A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, -271N, and -
272N airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing or loosened 
fasteners on connecting brackets of overhead stowage compartments 
(OHSC) and pivoting OHSC (POHSC). This AD requires modification of the 
OHSC and POHSC attachments, as specified in a European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 31, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
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-2019-0486.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 50717]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0486; 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 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: 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: 

Discussion

    The FAA 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 A318-112, -121, and -122; A319-111, -112, -115, -131, -132, and -
133; A320-214, -216, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N; and A321-211, -212, 
-213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, -271N, and -272N airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2019 (84 FR 30637). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of missing or loosened fasteners on 
connecting brackets of OHSC and pivoting POHSC. The NPRM proposed to 
require modification of the OHSC and POHSC attachments.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address loosening of the OHSC or 
POHSC fasteners. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to 
detachment of OHSC or POHSC, possibly resulting in injury to airplane 
occupants and/or impeding egress during an emergency evacuation.
    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0069, dated March 28, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0069'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A318-112, -121, and -122; A319-
111, -112, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-214, -216, -232, -233, -
251N, and -271N; and A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -253N, -
271N, and -272N airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During routine inspections, several screws were found missing or 
loose on the interconnecting brackets of certain overhead stowage 
compartments (OHSC) and pivoting OHSC (POHSC). Investigations and a 
sampling program have shown that loosening of fasteners can be 
generated by a relative movement of the OHSC/POHSC and vibrations 
inside the aeroplane, by elastic deformation of the aeroplane body 
and by take-off and landing manoeuvres.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to detachment of an 
OHSC/POHSC, possibly resulting in injury to aeroplane occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the 
original issue of the applicable SB [service bulletin], providing 
modification instructions to improve the robustness of the OHSC and 
POHSC. Prompted by new findings, the applicable SBs have been later 
issued, including additional work and associated instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the OHSC and POHSC attachments.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. Patrick Imperatrice indicated support for the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has 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.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0069 describes procedures for modification of the OHSC 
and POHSC attachments. EASA AD 2019-0069 also describes an inspection 
for discrepancies (additional work) and corrective actions. The 
inspection includes checks of the dimensions of the threaded pins 
against tolerances and checks for damage. Corrective actions include 
replacing threaded pins and nuts and repairing damage. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,464 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 42 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up           $3,950  Up to $7,520..............  Up to $11,009,280
 to $3,570.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required or optional actions. The FAA has no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Labor cost                Parts cost      Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 19 work-hours x $85 per                 [*]   Up to $1,615 *
 hour = Up to $1,615.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data for the on-condition parts
  costs.

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 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 FAA has included all known costs 
in our cost estimate.

[[Page 50718]]

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 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) 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.

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):

2019-18-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19733; Docket No. FAA-2019-0486; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-061-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 31, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A318-112, -121, and -122; 
A319-111, -112, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-214, -216, -232, -
233, -251N, and -271N; and A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, 
-253N, -271N, and -272N airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0069, dated March 28, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0069'').

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of missing or loosened fasteners 
on connecting brackets of overhead stowage compartments (OHSC) and 
pivoting OHSC (POHSC). The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
loosening of the OHSC or POHSC fasteners. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to detachment of OHSC or POHSC, possibly 
resulting in injury to airplane occupants and/or impeding egress 
during an emergency evacuation.

(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 2019-0069.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0069

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0069 refers to its effective date, 
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0069 applies to all 
airplanes except for airplanes identified by paragraph (2) of EASA 
AD 2019-0069.
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0069 does not apply 
to this AD.

(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) 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 2019-0069 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

    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.

(k) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0069, 
dated March 28, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0069, contact the EASA, 
at Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;

[[Page 50719]]

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.
    (4) You may view this 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. This 
material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0486.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
[email protected], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on September 6, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-20898 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P