[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53997-53999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22032]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0495; Product Identifier 2019-NM-029-AD; Amendment 
39-19752; AD 2019-19-16]
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) 2019-05-
09, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and -271N 
airplanes, and Model A321-253N airplanes. AD 2019-05-09 required 
repetitive detailed inspections of certain electrical harnesses for 
discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2019-05-09 also 
provided an optional terminating modification for the repetitive 
detailed inspections. This AD retains the actions of AD 2019-05-09, and 
adds a requirement for a terminating modification for the repetitive 
detailed inspections, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by 
reports of low clearance between the electrical harness and nearby 
hydraulic pipes in the inboard trailing edge of the wing. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 13, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 4, 
2019 (84 FR 10259, March 20, 2019).

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0495.

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-
0495; 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 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 EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0035, dated February 15, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0035'') (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 -271N airplanes, 
and Model A321-253N airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-05-09, Amendment 39-19591 (84 FR 
10259, March 20, 2019) (``AD 2019-05-09''). AD 2019-05-09 applied to 
certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and -271N airplanes, and Model A321-
253N airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 1, 
2019 (84 FR 31254). The NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive 
detailed inspections of certain electrical harnesses for discrepancies 
and corrective actions, if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to add a 
requirement for a terminating modification for the repetitive detailed 
inspections.
    This AD was prompted by reports of low clearance between the 
electrical harness and nearby hydraulic pipes in the inboard trailing 
edge of the wing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, 
which could lead to chafing of electrical harnesses in the vicinity of 
hydraulic pipes and could result in a potential source of ignition in 
the flammable fluid leakage zone, and possibly result in a fire or 
explosion and loss of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data 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 Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    This AD requires compliance with EASA AD 2019-0035, which the 
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of April 4, 2019 (84 FR 10259, March 20, 2019). This 
material is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal

[[Page 53998]]

course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      EStimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2019-05-09...  6 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $510          $7,140
                                         hour = $510.
New proposed actions..................  16 work-hours x $85 per            8,900          10,260         143,640
                                         hour = $1,360.
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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:

                 EsTimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost               Parts cost       Cost per product
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Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per                (*)   Up to $680 *
 hour = $680.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency
  to provide parts cost estimates.

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) 
2019-05-09, Amendment 39-19591 (84 FR 10259, March 20, 2019), and 
adding the following new AD:

2019-19-16 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19752; Docket No. FAA-2019-0495; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-029-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 13, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2019-05-09, Amendment 39-19591 (84 FR 10259, 
March 20, 2019) (``AD 2019-05-09'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and -271N 
airplanes, and Model A321-253N airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0035, dated February 15, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0035'').

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92, Electrical 
system installation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of low clearance between the 
electrical harness and nearby hydraulic pipes in the inboard 
trailing edge of the wing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
this condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
chafing of electrical harnesses in the vicinity of hydraulic pipes 
and could result in a potential source of ignition in the flammable 
fluid leakage zone, and possibly result in a fire or explosion and 
loss 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 2019-0035.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0035

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA AD

[[Page 53999]]

2019-0035 refer to its effective date, this AD requires using April 
4, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-05-09).
    (2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0035 refers to its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0035 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although certain service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0035 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) 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 2019-0035 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 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

    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.

(l) 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) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 4, 2019 (84 FR 10259, March 20, 2019).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0035, 
dated February 15, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) For information about EASA AD 2019-0035, contact the EASA, 
at 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.
    (5) 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-
2019-0495.
    (6) 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 23, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22032 Filed 10-8-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P