[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21920-21923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08575]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0851; Product Identifier 2020-NM-081-AD; Amendment
39-21507; AD 2021-08-13]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-
113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes;
Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and
A320-233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211,
A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports that certain oxygen supply solenoid valves are a
potential source of increased flow resistance within the flightcrew
oxygen system. This AD requires a detailed inspection (flow test) of
certain solenoid valves, and replacement if necessary, as specified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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 June 1, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 1, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For EASA material 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. For Airbus SAS service information
incorporated by reference in this final rule, contact Airbus SAS,
Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44
51; email [email protected]; internet https://www.airbus.com. 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-2020-0851.
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-
0851; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223;
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 2020-0104R1 dated January 28, 2021
(EASA AD 2020-0104R1) (referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121,
and A318-122 airplanes; Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114,
A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes; Model A320-211,
A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233
airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212,
A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model
A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114,
A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes; Model A320-211,
A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233
airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212,
A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on October 15, 2020 (85 FR 65282). The NPRM was
prompted by reports that certain oxygen supply solenoid valves are a
potential source of increased flow resistance within the flightcrew
oxygen system. The NPRM proposed to require a detailed inspection (flow
test) of certain solenoid valves, and replacement if necessary, as
specified in EASA AD 2020-0104R1.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address increased flow resistance
within the flightcrew oxygen system, which could lead to a reduced flow
of oxygen supply to the flightcrew oxygen masks, and in combination
with in-flight depressurization, smoke in the flight deck, or a smoke
evacuation procedure, could lead to flightcrew hypoxia and loss of
useful consciousness, resulting in loss of control of the airplane. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Revised EASA AD
In the NPRM, the FAA referred to EASA AD 2020-0104, dated May 7,
2020 (EASA AD 2020-0104). Since the NPRM was issued, EASA issued AD
2020-0104R1, which clarifies that certain solenoid valves are no longer
considered affected parts.
The agency determined that no additional work is required for
airplanes
[[Page 21921]]
that have accomplished the actions as required by EASA AD 2020-0104.
Therefore, the agency has revised all applicable sections in this final
rule to also specify EASA AD 2020-0104R1.
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 that
it supports the NPRM.
Request To Allow Use of Additional Service Information
American Airlines (AA) requested that operators be allowed to use
the deviation provided in an Airbus technical adaptation for a certain
solenoid valve test. The operator noted that there is a discrepancy in
the Airbus service bulletin specified in EASA AD 2020-0104. The
commenter explained that one of the required for compliance (RC)
paragraphs in the service bulletin states that a test of the solenoid
valve is required, no matter the result of the three masks flow test,
but a flowchart in that service bulletin does not indicate that this
test is required if the three masks flow test was successful. The
commenter stated that it contacted Airbus regarding this issue and
Airbus confirmed that there is an error and provided a Design
Organization Approval (DOA) approved technical adaptation to address
that error.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request for the reasons
provided. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(4) to this AD to allow the
use of Airbus Technical Adaptation 80843604/008/2020, Issue 1, dated
November 3, 2020.
Request To Include Requirement for Part Marking
United Air Lines (UAL) requested that affected parts that were
inspected and passed the three masks flow test be marked. The commenter
explained that this would assist operators in easily identifying an
affected part that has been inspected and passed the three masks flow
test. The commenter stated that this would prevent the part from being
tied to a specific airplane and would allow installation of that part
on another airplane.
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. The FAA conferred
with EASA and EASA responded that allowing an affected part to become a
rotable part had been discussed during development of its original
proposed AD. It was determined that, because of the potential
differences in the oxygen system architecture in the configuration of
different airplanes, a part that successfully passed the three masks
flow test on one airplane does not guarantee that an air flow deficit
would not exist if that part was moved to another airplane with a
different oxygen system configuration. In addition, Airbus recommended
that a pass/fail label not be applied to tested valves to avoid
complications in tracking parts based on the tested oxygen system
configuration. For these reasons, the FAA finds that no change to this
AD is necessary in regard to this issue.
Request To Clarify Parts Installation Paragraph
UAL stated that it objected to paragraph (3), Part(s) Installation,
of EASA AD 2020-0104 that was referred to in the proposed AD. The
commenter stated that, in the interest of safety, an affected part
should not be allowed to be installed on an airplane. The FAA infers
that the commenter is requesting that the proposed AD be revised to
include a Parts Installation Prohibition paragraph to prohibit
operators from installing an affected part on an airplane.
The FAA does not agree with the commenter's request. The FAA has
determined that if, before the next flight after installation on an
airplane, an affected part passes the required flow test, the unsafe
condition identified in this AD has been addressed and there is not a
safety of flight issue. The FAA has not revised this AD in regard to
this issue.
Request To Omit Duplicate Test
UAL requested that the order of certain actions identified as RC in
the Airbus SAS service bulletin specified in EASA AD 2020-0104 be
changed. The commenter suggested that, instead of waiting until after
the failure of a test to check that the oxygen storage cylinder is
fully open and then doing the test again, the check of the oxygen
cylinder should be part of the test preparation. The commenter
explained that this would preclude the repetition of the test.
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. The FAA conferred
with EASA and it is presumed that the oxygen cylinder is fully open
prior to starting the test. In addition, the majority of test reports
provided by operators to Airbus and EASA did not identify any flow
blockage. Therefore, adding the step to ensure that the oxygen cylinder
is fully open would increase the work involved to accomplish each test
versus doing only a check for the sole purpose of demonstrating
compliance with an AD. Neither Airbus nor EASA recommend changing the
order of the actions identified as RC in the Airbus SAS service
bulletin and the FAA concurs. However, the FAA does not have any
objection if the commenter or any operator includes a step in the test
preparation to ensure that the oxygen cylinder is fully open to avoid
the duplicative test identified by the commenter. The FAA has not
revised this AD in regard to this issue.
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 Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1 describe procedures for doing a
detailed inspection (flow test) of certain solenoid valves using the
flightcrew oxygen masks and replacing any solenoid valve that fails the
flow test with a serviceable part. These documents are distinct since
AD 2020-0104R1 clarifies that certain solenoid valves are no longer
considered affected parts.
Airbus SAS has issued Technical Adaptation 80843604/008/2020, Issue
1, dated November 3, 2020, which specifies that, when a solenoid valve
successfully passes the three masks flow test, operators do not need to
do the test specified in paragraph 3.E.(1) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the Airbus SAS service information specified in EASA
ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1.
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.
[[Page 21922]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,100 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.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255........................... $0 $255 $280,500
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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 Action
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... $ * $85
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* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the agency
to provide parts cost estimates for the on-condition replacement
specified in this AD.
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 operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in our 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.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2021-08-13 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21507; Docket No. FAA-2020-0851;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-081-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 1, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any
category.
(1) Model A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, and A318-122 airplanes.
(2) Model A319-111, A319-112, A319-113, A319-114, A319-115,
A319-131, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes.
(3) Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231,
A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes.
(4) Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212,
A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports that certain oxygen supply
solenoid valves are a potential source of increased flow resistance
within the flightcrew oxygen system. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address increased flow resistance within the flightcrew oxygen
system, which could lead to a reduced flow of oxygen supply to the
flightcrew oxygen masks, and in combination with in-flight
depressurization, smoke in the flight deck, or a smoke evacuation
procedure, could lead to flightcrew hypoxia and loss of useful
consciousness, resulting in loss of 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
[[Page 21923]]
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2020-0104, dated May 7, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0104) or EASA AD 2020-
0104R1, dated January 28, 2021 (EASA AD 2020-0104R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0104 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2020-0104R1 refers to May 21, 2020 ``[the
effective date of the original issue of this [EASA] AD],'' this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) The ``Remarks'' sections of EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-
0104R1 do not apply to this AD.
(4) Where procedure step 3.E.(1) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus SAS Service Bulletin A320-35-1096, dated
September 18, 2019, specified in EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1,
requires a test of the solenoid valve, this AD allows deviation from
that Required for Compliance (RC) action, as specified in Airbus SAS
Technical Adaptation 80843604/008/2020, Issue 1, dated November 3,
2020.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA ADs 2020-
0104 and 2020-0104R1 specify 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,
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 responsible Flight
Standards 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 (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
responsible Flight Standards 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): For any service information
referenced in EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1 that contains RC
procedures and tests: Except as required by paragraphs (h)(4) and
(j)(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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3223; email [email protected].
(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.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0104,
dated May 7, 2020.
(ii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-
0104R1, dated January 28, 2021.
(iii) Airbus SAS Technical Adaptation 80843604/008/2020, Issue
1, dated November 3, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (l)(2)(iii): The issue date of the document
is identified only on the last page of the document.
(3) For EASA ADs 2020-0104 and 2020-0104R1, 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.
Note 2 to paragraph (l)(3): EASA AD 2020-0104 can be accessed
in the zipped file at the bottom of the web page for EASA AD 2020-
0104R1. When EASA posts a revised AD on their website, they
watermark the previous AD as ``Revised,'' alter the file name by
adding ``_revised'' to the end, and move it into a zipped file
attached at the bottom of the AD web page.
(4) For Airbus SAS service information, contact Airbus SAS,
Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93
44 51; email [email protected]; internet https://www.airbus.com.
(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-2020-0851.
(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 5, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-08575 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
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