[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41312-41313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13417]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; Project Identifier 2015-NM-065-AD; Amendment 
39-22476; AD 2016-15-01R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; removal.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-15-01, 
which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series 
airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2016-15-01 required an 
inspection to determine trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) 
part numbers, serial numbers, and flight cycles on certain THSAs; and 
repetitive replacement of certain THSAs. The FAA issued AD 2016-15-01 
to prevent loss of THSA no-back brake (NBB) efficiency. Since the FAA 
issued AD 2016-15-01, the FAA has issued AD 2022-25-12 to terminate AD 
2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes and AD 2023-11-02 to 
terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes. The FAA 
has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series 
airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent 
error. Accordingly, AD 2016-15-01 is removed.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 23, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0438; 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: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3225; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by removing AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, 
July 22, 2016) (AD 2016-15-01). AD 2016-15-01 applied to all Airbus SAS 
Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Model 
A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
March 28, 2023 (88 FR 18263). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA issuing 
AD 2022-25-12, Amendment 39-22268 (87 FR 78518, December 22, 2022) to 
terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A310 series airplanes, and by the FAA 
issuing AD 2023-11-02, Amendment 39-22447 (88 FR 36930, June 6, 2023) 
to terminate AD 2016-15-01 for Model A300-600 series airplanes. The FAA 
has also determined that the inclusion of the Model A300 series 
airplanes in the applicability of AD 2016-15-01 was an inadvertent 
error.

[[Page 41313]]

The NPRM proposed to remove AD 2016-15-01. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to remove AD 2016-15-01.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. 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.
    This AD removes all actions of AD 2016-15-01. Therefore, the 
requirements of AD 2016-15-01 are terminated.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 
(81 FR 47696, July 22, 2016), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

AD 2016-15-01R1 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22476; Docket No. FAA-2023-
0438; Project Identifier 2015-NM-065-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 23, 2023.

(b) Affected AD

    This AD replaces AD 2016-15-01, Amendment 39-18592 (81 FR 47696, 
July 22, 2016).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and 
B4-203 airplanes.
    (2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
    (3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (5) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Terminating Action

    This AD terminates all requirements of AD 2016-15-01.

(f) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone: 206-231-3225; email: [email protected].

(g) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on June 20, 2023.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-13417 Filed 6-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P