[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6615-6618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01181-T; 
Amendment 39-22295; AD 2023-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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, -112, -113, -
114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, 
-216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -
211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture that led to a 
NLG collapse. This AD requires inspection of certain NLG and main 
landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and 
eventual replacement of all affected parts, as specified in a European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by 
reference (IBR). This AD also prohibits the installation of affected 
parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 8, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 6616]]

of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 8, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material incorporated by reference in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
     You may view this service information 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1295.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 817-222-5584; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Model A318 series 
airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and 
-232 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 
20, 2022 (87 FR 63715). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0236, dated 
October 29, 2021, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2021-0236) (also referred 
to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that NLG sliding tube rupture, leading 
to NLG collapse during taxiing, occurred on a Model A320 airplane. 
Investigations identified overheat damage on that NLG, caused by 
incorrect accomplishment of a repair on the chromium-plated diameter of 
the sliding tube during the last NLG overhaul. Further investigations 
identified a batch of NLG and MLG sliding tubes that are possibly 
affected by a similar condition, which, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent collapse of 
the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to 
occupants.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspection of certain NLG 
and MLG sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and eventual 
replacement of all affected parts. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit 
the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address NLGs and MLGs that may have been subject to 
the incorrect accomplishment of a repair, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent 
collapse of the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and 
injury to occupants.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1295.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    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 this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this 
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2021-0236, which specifies procedures for 
a detailed inspection of the visible chrome surface of affected NLG and 
MLG sliding tubes for any discrepancies (cracks), a magnetic particle 
inspection (MPI) and Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI) of affected 
parts for any discrepancies (cracks), eventual replacement of affected 
parts, and corrective actions. Corrective actions include immediate 
replacement of the NLG or MLG sliding tube or shock absorber. 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,825 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes 
that would need the required actions because the affected part is not 
installed on any U.S.-registered airplanes. U.S.-registered airplanes 
therefore would need to comply with only the parts prohibition 
specified in this AD.
    If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply 
with the required actions in this AD:

                  Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                  Parts cost *       product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work-hours x $85 per hour = $4,250.              $0           $4,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
  estimates for the replacement parts specified in this AD.


[[Page 6617]]

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.

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:

2023-01-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22295; Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01181-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 8, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) 
sliding tube rupture leading to an NLG collapse. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address NLGs and main landing gears (MLGs) that may have 
been subject to the incorrect accomplishment of a repair, which, if 
not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural 
failure and subsequent collapse of the gears, possibly resulting in 
damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (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 
2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0236).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0236

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0236 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a 
detailed visual inspection, replace the text ``the instructions of 
the AOT'' with ``paragraphs 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.5 of the AOT.''
    (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a 
magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and a Barkhausen noise inspection 
(BNI), replace the text ``the instructions of the AOT'' with 
``paragraphs 4.2.2.3 and 4.2.2.6 of the AOT.''
    (4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies that ``if 
discrepancies are detected on an affected part'' for this AD 
discrepancies include cracking and heat damage.
    (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0236 specifies to quarantine parts, this AD does not require that 
action.
    (6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2021-0236.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
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 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, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design 
Approval Organization (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: 817-222-5584; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0236, 
dated October 29, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0236, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the

[[Page 6618]]

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 4, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-02010 Filed 1-31-23; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P