[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 196 (Thursday, October 8, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63434-63438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0343; Product Identifier 2019-NM-206-AD; Amendment 
39-21272; AD 2020-20-16]
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) 2018-17-
05, which applied to all Airbus SAS

[[Page 63435]]

Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2018-17-05 required a check of 
the insulation resistance of the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV) of 
each affected electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) and applicable 
corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-17-05, it was 
determined that certain EHA part numbers can be modified and re-
identified as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which could inadvertently remove certain part numbers from 
the applicability in other EHA-related ADs including AD 2018-17-05. 
This AD was prompted by reports of EHA units that were returned to the 
manufacturer with degraded insulation resistance in the DDSOV; 
investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to incorrect 
sealing application, had caused this degradation. This AD was also 
prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs installed on 
inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential erroneous monitoring 
of those actuators. This AD requires a check of the insulation 
resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA and applicable corrective 
actions, and modification or replacement of certain EHAs; as specified 
in two EASA ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 12, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 12, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; 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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2020-0343.

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-2020-
0343; 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, 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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-
3218; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0301, dated December 12, 2019 
(``EASA 2019-0301''); and EASA AD 2020-0027R1, dated February 21, 2020 
(``EASA AD 2020-0027R1''); (these ADs are also referred to as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI'') to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes. EASA AD 2020-0027R1 supersedes EASA AD 2018-0141, dated July 
3, 2018 (which corresponds to FAA AD 2018-17-05, Amendment 39-19359 (83 
FR 40438, August 15, 2018) (``AD 2018-17-05'')).
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-17-05. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 1, 2020 (85 FR 25345).
    AD 2018-17-05 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes and addressed degraded insulation resistance in the DDSOV, 
due to incorrect sealing application, which could lead to the DDSOV 
being unable to command or maintain the EHA in active mode, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the airplane. Since AD 2018-17-05 was 
issued, it has been determined that certain EHA part numbers can be 
modified and reidentified as described in EASA AD 2019-0301, which 
would inadvertently remove certain part numbers from the applicability 
in other EHA-related ADs. Therefore, EASA issued AD 2020-0027R1 to 
revise the definition of an affected EHA.
    In addition to the determination that certain EHA part numbers 
might have been inadvertently removed from the actions required by AD 
2018-17-05, the NPRM was prompted by reports of EHA units that were 
returned to the manufacturer with degraded insulation resistance in the 
DDSOV; investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to 
incorrect sealing application, had caused this degradation. The NPRM 
was also prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs 
installed on inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential 
erroneous monitoring of those actuators. The NPRM proposed to require a 
check of the insulation resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA 
and applicable corrective actions, and modification or replacement of 
certain EHAs, as specified in EASA AD 2019-0301 and EASA AD 2020-
0027R1.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address degraded insulation 
resistance, which could lead to the DDSOV being unable to command or 
maintain the EHA in active mode, and possibly result in reduced control 
of the airplane. The FAA is also issuing this AD to address the 
possibility of an in-flight loss of inboard aileron or elevator 
control, which, due to the resulting drag, would lead to increased fuel 
consumption, and when combined with one engine inoperative, could 
result in reduced control 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 following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) stated its 
support for the NPRM.

Request to Use Technical Adaptions for EASA AD 2019-0301

    Delta Airlines (DAL) requested that the proposed AD include Airbus 
Technical Adaptations 80602190/058/2020 and 80602190/059/2020 approved 
by the EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) (EASA.21J.031) as an 
approved method of compliance to correct the errors identified in 
certain service information specified in EASA AD 2019-0301. DAL also 
requested, or allow the accomplishment of maintenance procedure (MP) 
tasks A350-A-27-14-XX-0A003-345A-A in lieu of testing step 3.E.(b), 
option 1, as an alternative means of compliance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A350-27-P034, Revision 01, dated April 8, 2020; and MP task 
A350-A-27-34-XX-08003-345A-A in lieu of testing step 3.E.(b), option 1, 
as an alternative means of compliance to Airbus Service Bulletin

[[Page 63436]]

A350-27-P036, Revision 01, dated April 8, 2020; for EASA AD 2019-0301.
    The FAA partially agrees with the comment. As another method of 
compliance, the FAA has added paragraph (h)(7) to this AD to allow use 
of Airbus Technical Adaptations 80602190/058/2020 and 80602190/059/2020 
approved by the EASA DOA (EASA.21J.031).
    The FAA disagrees with allowing the use of the maintenance 
procedures tasks specified above because the tasks are not approved by 
Airbus and Airbus SAS's EASA DOA for use with the service information. 
However, under the provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, the FAA 
will consider requests for the use of certain service information if 
sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the change would 
provide an acceptable level of safety. The FAA has not changed the AD 
in this regard.

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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0301 describes, among other actions, procedures for 
modifying or replacing affected EHAs. In addition, EASA AD 2020-0027R1 
describes procedures for a check of the insulation resistance of the 
DDSOV of each affected EHA (installed on inboard ailerons, elevators, 
and rudder) and applicable corrective actions (replacing or 
reidentifying the affected EHA). 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 13 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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              Labor cost                 Parts cost        Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 28 work-hours x $85 per hour =            ** $0  Up to $2,380...........  Up to $30,940
 Up to $2,380.
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* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
** The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts cost for the modification or replacement specified in
  this AD.

    The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the 
cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be 
$1,105, or $85 per product.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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          Labor cost              Parts cost        Cost per product
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Up to 28 work-hours x $85 per  Up to $518,314.  Up to $520,694
 hour = Up to $2,380.
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Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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:

[[Page 63437]]

    (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) 
2018-17-05, Amendment 39-19359 (83 FR 40438, August 15, 2018), and 
adding the following new AD:

2020-20-16 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21272; Docket No. FAA-2020-0343; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-206-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 12, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-17-05, Amendment 39-19359 (83 FR 40438, 
August 15, 2018) (``AD 2018-17-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of electro-hydrostatic actuator 
(EHA) units that were returned to the manufacturer with degraded 
insulation resistance in the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV); 
investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to 
incorrect sealing application, had caused this degradation. This AD 
was also prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs 
installed on inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential 
erroneous monitoring of those actuators. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address degraded insulation resistance, which could lead to the 
DDSOV being unable to command or maintain the EHA in active mode, 
and possibly result in reduced control of the airplane. The FAA is 
also issuing this AD to address the possibility of an in-flight loss 
of inboard aileron or elevator control, which, due to the resulting 
drag, would lead to increased fuel consumption, and when combined 
with one engine inoperative, could result in reduced control 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2020-0027R1, dated February 21, 2020 (``EASA AD 2020-0027R1''); and 
EASA AD 2019-0301, dated December 12, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0301'').

(h) Exceptions and Clarifications to EASA AD 2019-0301 and EASA AD 
2020-0027R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0301 and EASA AD 2020-0027R1 refer to 
their effective dates, this AD requires using the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0301 and EASA AD 
2020-0027R1 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2019-0301 requires the accomplishment of 
paragraphs (1) through (6), this AD requires only the accomplishment 
of paragraphs (5) and (6).
    (4) Paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2020-0027R1 specifies to report 
insulation check results (e.g., results of the detailed inspection 
of the insulation resistance) to Airbus within a certain compliance 
time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (h)(4)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
    (i) If the insulation check was done on or after the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the 
insulation check.
    (ii) If the insulation check was done before the effective date 
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.
    (5) EASA AD 2020-0027R1 includes a definition for ``affected 
EHA'' that specifies ``as listed by serial number in the applicable 
SB.'' All serial numbers listed in the ``applicable SB'' are 
included in the definition of ``affected EHA'' regardless of the 
associated part numbers that are also listed in the ``applicable 
SB.''
    (6) For any service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0301 
that specifies to return parts to the manufacturer, that action is 
not required by this AD.
    (7) Where any service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0301 specifies rigging for testing, this AD allows rigging using 
Airbus Technical Adaptations 80602190/058/2020 and 80602190/059/2020 
approved by the EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) 
(EASA.21J.031).

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, 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, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus 
SAS's EASA 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 2020-0027R1 and paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA 
AD 2019-0301 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.
    (4) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: A federal agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond 
to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply 
with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 
hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
All responses to this collection of information are mandatory as 
required by this AD; the nature and extent of confidentiality to be 
provided, if any. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or 
any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

[[Page 63438]]

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3218; [email protected].

(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) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 12, 2020.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0301, 
dated December 12, 2019.
    (ii) EASA AD 2020-0027R1, dated February 21, 2020.
    (4) For EASA AD 2019-0301 and EASA AD 2020-0027R1, contact the 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 
221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. 
You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (5) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2020-0343.
    (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 September 25, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-22243 Filed 10-7-20; 8:45 am]
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