[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 69 (Thursday, April 9, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19875-19878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07399]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 69 / Thursday, April 9, 2020 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 19875]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0867; Product Identifier 2019-NM-131-AD; Amendment 
39-19886; AD 2020-06-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-09-
06, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series 
airplanes; Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 
and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-09-06 required repetitive 
inspections and operational checks of the spring function of the 
emergency exit door slider mechanism, application of corrosion 
inhibitor, and corrective actions. This AD retains those requirements, 
with extended repetitive intervals for certain actions, and also 
requires those actions on additional airplanes; as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. This AD was prompted by report that an escape slide 
deployment test found a girt bar that was not in a locked position and 
was detached from the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 14, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 14, 
2020.

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 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0867.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0867; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0155, dated July 3, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0155'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; 
Model A330-200, -300, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -
300, -500, and -600 series airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2011-09-06, Amendment 39-16668 (76 FR 
22005, April 20, 2011) (``AD 2011-09-06''). AD 2011-09-06 applied to 
all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-
200, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, and -300 series 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 18, 
2019 (84 FR 63582). The NPRM was prompted by a report that an escape 
slide deployment test found a girt bar that was not in a locked 
position and was detached from the airplane. The NPRM was also prompted 
by a determination that additional airplanes are affected by the unsafe 
condition, and that the repetitive interval times can be extended. The 
NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive inspections and 
operational checks, application of corrosion inhibitor, and repair or 
replacement if necessary, with extended repetitive intervals for the 
functional check and lubrication of the door girt bar slider of each 
passenger/crew door and passenger compartment emergency exit. The NPRM 
also proposed to revise the applicability to include additional 
airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, which 
could result in escape slides detaching from the door after inflation, 
and which could, during an emergency, prevent a safe evacuation of the 
cabin and possibly result in injuries.

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.

Request To Clarify Credit for Actions

    Delta Air Lines (Delta) requested clarification on credit for 
actions that were accomplished using Airbus Alert Operators 
Transmission (AOT) A330-52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, before the 
effective date of EASA 2010-0135, dated July 5, 2010 (``EASA AD 2010-
0135''). Delta noted that EASA AD 2019-0155 specifies credit if Airbus 
AOT A330-52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, was used before ``July 17, 
2010'' (which was incorrectly identified as the effective date of the 
superseded EASA AD 2010-0135; the correct effective date is July 19, 
2010). AD 2011-09-06, with an effective date of May 5, 2011, 
corresponds to EASA AD 2010-0135. Paragraph (h) of the proposed AD did 
not provide an exception to use May 5,

[[Page 19876]]

2011, as the effective date, and Delta requested confirmation that 
credit is still provided for use of Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, dated 
August 2, 2000, before the effective date of EASA AD 2010-0135.
    The FAA agrees to clarify when Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, dated 
August 2, 2000, is acceptable for credit. Although AD 2011-09-06 did 
not provide any credit for Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, dated August 2, 
2000, the FAA has determined that use of that AOT is acceptable up to 
May 5, 2011. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(4) of this AD to provide 
an exception to EASA AD 2019-0155 to allow credit for Airbus AOT A330-
52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, using the FAA AD 2011-09-06 effective 
date of May 5, 2011 for the initial inspection only.

Request To Clarify Need for an Alternative Means of Compliance (AMOC)

    Delta requested that the FAA clarify whether an alternative means 
of compliance (AMOC) for previous credits would be required for 
allowing any repetitive inspections that may have been accomplished 
before the effective date of EASA AD 2010-0135 using Airbus AOT A330-
52A3063, dated August 2, 2000. Delta stated that AD 2002-02-07, 
Amendment 39-12635 (67 FR 6370, February 12, 2002) (``AD 2002-02-07''), 
required using Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, to 
accomplish the inspection requirements, and then AD 2011-09-06 required 
Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, Revision 01, dated January 3, 2001. Delta 
reasoned that given the time span between the effective dates of AD 
2002-02-07 and AD 2011-09-06, and because EASA AD 2019-0155 granted 
credit for only initial inspections, it would be possible that an 
operator would be doing repetitive inspections using Airbus AOT A330-
52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, and would need an AMOC for the 
repetitive inspections.
    The FAA agrees that clarification is needed. ADs 2002-02-07 and 
2011-09-06 did not require use of or grant credit for Airbus AOT A330-
52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, for any actions. Unless an AMOC has been 
approved, all inspections, initial and repetitive, required by AD 2002-
02-07 and, later, AD 2011-09-06, on U.S.-registered airplanes should 
have been accomplished using Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, Revision 01, 
dated January 3, 2001, and would be subject to using Revision 01 for 
repetitive inspections. However, EASA AD 2019-0155 granted credit for 
using Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, dated August 2, 2000, before its 
effective date for initial inspections, and as described in the 
previous comment, the FAA concurred and is granting credit similar to 
EASA AD 2019-0155. However, repetitive inspections were and are still 
required to be done in accordance with Airbus AOT A330-52A3063, 
Revision 01, dated January 3, 2001. The FAA has not otherwise changed 
this AD in that regard.

Additional Change to This Final Rule

    The FAA has revised paragraph (j) of this AD to specify that AMOCs 
approved previously for AD 2011-09-06 are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2019-0155 that are required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD. This provision was inadvertently left out of 
the proposed AD.

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 changes 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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0155 describes procedures for repetitive functional 
checks and lubrication of the door girt bar slider of each passenger/
crew door and passenger compartment emergency exit, and corrective 
actions (repair or replacement). 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 111 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Cost per
            Action                  Labor cost         Parts cost         product       Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2011-  3 work-hours x     None.............            $255  Up to $28,305.
 09-06.                          $85 per hour =
                                 $255.
New actions...................  2 work-hours x     None.............            $170  $18,870.
                                 $85 per hour =
                                 $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 per            $2,160           $2,245
 girt bar replacement.................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 19877]]

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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2011-09-06, Amendment 39-16668 (76 FR 22005, April 20, 2011), and 
adding the following new AD:

2020-06-17 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19886; Docket No. FAA-2019-0867; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-131-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 14, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2011-09-06, Amendment 39-16668 (76 FR 22005, 
April 20, 2011) (``AD 2011-09-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS Model airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (7) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes.
    (4) Model A330-941 airplanes.
    (5) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
    (6) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
    (7) Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that an escape slide deployment 
test found a girt bar that was not in a locked position and was 
detached from the airplane. This AD was also prompted by a 
determination that additional airplanes not identified in AD 2011-
09-06 are affected by the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address this condition, which could result in slides detaching 
from the door after inflation, and could, during an emergency, 
prevent a safe evacuation of the cabin and possibly result in 
injuries.

(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0155, dated July 3, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0155'').

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0155

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0155 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0155 refers to February 
17, 2001, as an effective date, this AD requires using March 19, 
2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-02-07, Amendment 39-12635 (67 FR 
6370, February 12, 2002)), for all airplanes identified in paragraph 
(1) of EASA AD 2019-0155, except for Model A330-223F and -243F 
airplanes. For Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes, use May 5, 2011 
(the effective date of AD 2011-09-06).
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0155 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (4) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0155 refers to ``July 
17, 2010'' as an effective date, this AD requires using May 5, 2011 
(the effective date of AD 2011-09-06).
    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(4): A typographical error in EASA AD 
2019-0155 incorrectly identified the effective date of EASA AD 2010-
0135 as July 17, 2010; the correct effective date of EASA AD 2010-
0135 is July 19, 2010.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0155 
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].
    (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 2011-09-06 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2019-0155 that are 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (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 2019-0155 that contains RC procedures and 
tests: Except as required by paragraphs (i) and (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.

[[Page 19878]]

(k) Related Information

    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.

(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 
May 14, 2020.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0155, 
dated July 3, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) For information about EASA AD 2019-0155, 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.
    (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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0867.
    (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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 1, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07399 Filed 4-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P