[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51957-51960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21241]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0193; Product Identifier 2018-NM-159-AD; Amendment
39-19711; AD 2019-16-08]
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: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-22-
13, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes. AD 2018-22-13 required revising the existing airplane flight
manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with updated procedures related
to inboard aileron fault operations. This AD continues to require that
AFM revision, and also requires modification of the electronic
centralized aircraft monitoring (ECAM) procedures by installing an
Airbus temporary quick change (ATQC) and activating an ECAM temporary
change. This AD was prompted by a technical issue detected on the
inboard aileron electrohydrostatic actuators that caused potential
erroneous monitoring of those actuators. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 5, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 5,
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; telephone +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 referenced 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-2019-0193.
[[Page 51958]]
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-
0193; 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-22-13, Amendment 39-19486 (83 FR
55617, November 7, 2018) (``AD 2018-22-13''). AD 2018-22-13 applied to
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2019 (84 FR 13843). The
NPRM was prompted by a technical issue detected on the inboard aileron
electrohydrostatic actuators that caused potential erroneous monitoring
of those actuators. The NPRM proposed to continue to require revising
the existing AFM to provide the flightcrew with updated procedures
related to inboard aileron fault operations. The NPRM also proposed to
require modifying the ECAM procedures by installing an ATQC and
activating an ECAM temporary change. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address possible in-flight loss of inboard aileron control, consequent
increased fuel consumption due to the resulting drag, and reduced
control or performance of the airplane if one engine is also
inoperative.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2018-
0213R1, dated November 9, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes. The MCAI states:
A technical issue was detected on the inboard aileron electro-
hydrostatic actuators, causing potential erroneous monitoring of
those actuators. Consequently, in-flight loss of inboard aileron
control may occur, which, due to the resulting drag, would lead to
increased fuel consumption.
This condition, if not corrected, and if combined with one
engine inoperative, could result in reduced control or performance
of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the
AFM TR [temporary revision] and Flight Operations Transmission (FOT)
999.0062/18, informing operators that Airbus provides two different
Airbus Temporary Quick Changes (ATQC) to the Electronic Centralized
Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM), depending on the installed FWS [flight
warning system] standard, either STD [standard] S4/2.0 or STD S5/
2.2, as applicable, and issued the applicable SB [service bulletin]
accordingly, providing modification instructions.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
amendment of the applicable AFM and installation of ATQC V4,
followed by ECAM Temporary Change (ETC) activation, to update the
procedures related to inboard aileron fault operations. This AD is
considered to be an interim action and further AD action may follow.
This [EASA] AD is revised to amend the Applicability and correct
some additional (minor) errors.
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-2019-
0193.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for NPRM
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and
commenters Christian Maldonado, Claudia Galica, and Cristian Silva
supported the NPRM.
Request To Include Alternative Service Information
Delta Airlines, Inc. (Delta), requested that the FAA revise
paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of the proposed AD to allow installation of ATQC
version 5 for FWS standard S5/2.2, in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A350-31-P032, dated February 28, 2019, instead of ATQC version
4. Delta asserted that version 5 is the next evolution and encompasses
the items in version 4, so compliance would be maintained with the
version 4 improvements. Delta added that allowing installation of
version 5 in the proposed AD would prevent the need to request approval
of an alternative method of compliance to install version 5.
The FAA partially agrees with the commenter's request. ATQC version
5 has also been found to mitigate the unsafe condition and is an
acceptable method of compliance for this AD. However, version 5 cannot
be installed if version 4 has not yet been installed. Therefore, all
airplanes must install version 4, and any airplane may have version 5
installed afterwards. The FAA has revised paragraph (h)(1)(ii)
accordingly.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule with the change described previously
and 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.
The FAA 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 issued the following service information:
Service Bulletin A350-31-P028, dated September 17, 2018, describes
procedures for installing ATQC standard V4 for FWS standard S4/2.0.
Service Bulletin A350-31-P029, dated September 17, 2018, describes
procedures for installing ATQC standard V4 for FWS standard S5/2.2.
Service Bulletin A350-31-P030, dated September 17, 2018, describes
procedures for activating ECAM temporary change code No. 27AF.
Service Bulletin A350-31-P032, dated February 28, 2019, describes
procedures for installing ATQC standard V5 for FWS standard S5/2.2.
Airbus A350 Temporary Revision (TR) 113, Issue 1, dated August 17,
2018, provides updated procedures related to inboard aileron fault
operations. (This document was originally incorporated by reference in
AD 2018-22-13 as of November 23, 2018 (83 FR 55617, November 7, 2018).
However, AD 2018-22-13 had identified this TR with an incorrect, pre-
approval date of July 27, 2018. The FAA has provided the correct date
of the TR throughout this AD.)
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.
[[Page 51959]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $935
2018[dash]22[dash]13. hour = $85.
New actions........................... 4 work-hours x $85 per 0 340 3,740
hour = $340.
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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 the agency 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 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 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2018-22-13, Amendment 39-19486 (83 FR 55617, November 7, 2018), and
adding the following new AD:
2019-16-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19711; Docket No. FAA-2019-0193;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-159-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 5, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2018-22-13, Amendment 39-19486 (83 FR 55617,
November 7, 2018) (``AD 2018-22-13'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category, except those on which
Airbus modifications 113758 and 113759 have been embodied in
production.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a technical issue detected on the
inboard aileron electrohydrostatic actuators that caused potential
erroneous monitoring of those actuators. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address possible in-flight loss of inboard aileron control,
consequent increased fuel consumption due to the resulting drag, and
reduced control or performance of the airplane if one engine is also
inoperative.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Revision of Existing Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), With
Revised Compliance Language and Corrected Temporary Revision (TR) Date
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
2018-22-13, with revised compliance language and a corrected TR
date. At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of
this AD, revise the Abnormal Procedures section of the existing AFM
to include the information in Airbus A350 TR 113, Issue 1, dated
August 17, 2018, which introduces updated procedures related to
inboard aileron fault operations. This may be done by inserting a
copy of Airbus A350 TR 113, Issue 1, dated August 17, 2018, into the
existing AFM. When Airbus A350 TR 113, Issue 1, dated August 17,
2018, has been included in general revisions of the existing AFM,
the general revisions may be inserted into the existing AFM,
provided the relevant information in the general revisions is
identical to that in Airbus A350 TR 113, Issue 1, dated August 17,
2018, and the TR may be removed. Operate the airplane according to
the procedures in Airbus A350 TR 113, Issue 1, dated August 17,
2018. In case any discrepancy is identified between procedures
displayed on the electronic centralized aircraft monitoring (ECAM)
and procedures stated in the applicable existing AFM, the existing
AFM procedures prevail.
(1) For airplanes modified by Airbus modifications 113758 and
113760: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD:
Within 30 days after November 23, 2018 (the effective date of AD
2018-22-13).
[[Page 51960]]
(h) New Requirement of This AD: Modification
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD.
(1) Install the Airbus temporary quick change (ATQC) as
specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) For airplanes with flight warning system (FWS) standard S4/
2.0: Install ATQC standard V4 for FWS standard S4/2.0, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A350-31-P028, dated September 17, 2018.
(ii) For airplanes with FWS standard S5/2.2: Install ATQC
standard V4 for FWS standard S5/2.2, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P029,
dated September 17, 2018. After installation of ATQC standard V4,
ATQC standard V5 for FWS standard S5/2.2 may be installed, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A350-31-P032, dated February 28, 2019.
(2) Activate ECAM temporary change code No. 27AF, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A350-31-P030, dated September 17, 2018.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
(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].
(i) 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.
(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2018-22-13 are approved as
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of
this AD, 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 Union 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.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those
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) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0213R1, dated November 9, 2018, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2019-0193.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3218.
(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.
(3) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P028, dated September 17,
2018.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P029, dated September 17,
2018.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P030, dated September 17,
2018.
(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-31-P032, dated February 28,
2019.
(v) Airbus A350 Temporary Revision (TR) 113, Issue 1, dated
August 17, 2018.
(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine
No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax
+33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected];
internet http://www.airbus.com.
(5) 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.
(6) 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, email [email protected], or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on August 9, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-21241 Filed 9-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P