[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 72 (Friday, April 16, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20086-20089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07625]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0303; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01367-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD 
would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations, as specified in two European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) ADs, which are proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact 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-2021-0303.

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-2021-
0303; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above.

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 [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0303; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01367-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted

[[Page 20087]]

comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
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 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which 
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0211, dated October 5, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0211); and EASA AD 2021-0026, dated January 20, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0026) (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 2021-
0026 refers to Airbus A350 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
4, Variation 5.1, dated July 22, 2020. Airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued after July 22, 2020, must comply with the 
airworthiness limitations specified as part of the approved type design 
and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore 
does not include those airplanes in the applicability.
    The FAA issued AD 2019-20-01, Amendment 39-19754 (84 FR 55495, 
October 17, 2019) (AD 2019-20-01), to require, among other things, 
repetitive greasing of certain thrust reverser actuators (TRAs). For 
those TRAs identified as batch 02 in EASA AD 2018-0234R2, dated 
September 17, 2019 (which is required by AD 2019-20-01), the repetitive 
greasing task has since been incorporated into Airbus A350 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Part 4, Systems Equipment 
Maintenance Requirements (SEMR), Revision 05 Issue 02, dated June 25, 
2020, which is specified in EASA 2020-0211. Accomplishing the actions 
in this proposed AD would therefore terminate the repetitive greasing 
of batch 02 TRAs required by paragraph (g) of AD 2019-20-01.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address hazardous or catastrophic airplane system 
failures. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0211 and EASA AD 2021-0026 describe new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane systems and safe 
life limits. These documents are distinct because they apply to 
different airplane configurations. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA has 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are specified in EASA AD 
2020-0211 and EASA AD 2021-0026 described previously, as incorporated 
by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2020-0211 or EASA AD 2021-
0026 are identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(k)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2020-0211 
and EASA AD 2021-0026 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2020-0211 and EASA AD 2021-0026 in their entirety, through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are 
the same as the heading of a particular section in the EASA ADs does 
not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For 
example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and 
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited 
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in 
the EASA AD.
    Service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0211 and EASA AD 
2021-0026 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2020-0211 or 
EASA AD 2021-0026 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0303 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation

[[Page 20088]]

document. The airworthiness limitations must be followed according to 
14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals 
are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in the AMOCs paragraph under 
``Other FAA Provisions.'' This new format includes a ``New Provisions 
for Alternative Actions and Intervals'' paragraph that does not 
specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request an AMOC to 
use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 15 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection 
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined 
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane 
estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per 
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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

    The FAA has determined that this proposed AD would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 
would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0303; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-
01367-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by June 1, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2019-20-01, Amendment 39-19754 (84 FR 55495, 
October 17, 2019) (AD 2019-20-01).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before July 22, 2020.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address hazardous or catastrophic airplane system 
failures.

(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 
2020-0211, dated October 5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0211), and EASA AD 
2021-0026, dated January 20, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0026). Where EASA AD 
2021-0026 affects the same airworthiness limitations (task and life 
limits) as those in EASA AD 2020-0211, the airworthiness limitations 
in the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0026 prevail.

(h) Exceptions to EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0211 or EASA AD 2021-0026 refers to its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026 specifies 
revising ``the approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective 
date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the ``limitations, 
tasks and associated thresholds and intervals'' specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026 within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026 is at the 
applicable ``thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of in 
paragraph (3) of EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026, or within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2020-0211 do not apply to this AD.
    (6) The provisions specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-
0026 do not apply to this AD.
    (7) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA ADs 2020-0211 and 2021-0026 
does not apply to this AD.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2020-0211 or EASA AD 2021-0026.

(j) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2019-20-01

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the 
repetitive greasing task for batch 02 group of affected thrust 
reverser actuators required by paragraph (g) of AD 2019-20-01.

[[Page 20089]]

(k) 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 (l)(2) 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 Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (k)(2) of this AD, 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For information about EASA AD 2020-0211 and EASA AD 2021-
0026, contact 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. 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-
2021-0303.
    (2) 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 [email protected].

    Issued on April 8, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-07625 Filed 4-15-21; 8:45 am]
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