[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9795-9798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02443]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 29 / Monday, February 12, 2024 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 9795]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0223; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00996-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-800, and 
A330-900 series airplanes; Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, and 
-343 airplanes; and Model A340-312 and -313 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of quality non-conformity on main landing gear 
(MLG) axles where the high velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) coating on the 
bearing journal runout areas had a coating that was thicker than 
allowable limits. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections 
of the affected parts (MLG axles) for any discrepancy, corrective 
actions, and eventual replacement of affected parts, and would prohibit 
the installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation 
by reference (IBR). 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 March 28, 
2024.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0223; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For material that is proposed for IBR 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. It is also 
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0223.
     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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3229; 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-2024-0223; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00996-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 
this 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 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

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 
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 
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; 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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0167, dated August 30, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0167) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, 
A330-800, and A330-900 series airplanes; Model A330-301, -302, -303, -
323, -342, -343, and -743L airplanes; and Model A340-312 and -313 
airplanes. Model A330-743L airplanes are not certificated by the FAA 
and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this 
proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability. The MCAI states there are reports of quality non-

[[Page 9796]]

conformity on MLG axles where the HVOF coating on the bearing journal 
runout areas had a coating thicker than allowable limits. This over-
thickness could lead to damage, cracking, or spalling of the protective 
coating, which could expose the base material and allow corrosion to 
develop. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
MLG axle failure, possibly resulting in a MLG collapse, with consequent 
damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0223.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies, for certain airplanes, procedures for 
repetitive inspections of the affected parts (MLG axles) for any 
discrepancy (damage, cracking, or spalling of HVOF coating, or 
corrosion), doing corrective actions including obtaining and following 
repair instructions and replacement of affected parts. EASA AD 2023-
0167 also prohibits the installation of affected parts, and 
installation of MLG having an affected part installed. 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.

FAA's Determination

    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 is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2023-0167 described previously, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text 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 developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0167 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2023-0167 in its 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 EASA AD 2023-0167 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 EASA AD 2023-
0167. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0167 for compliance 
will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0223 
after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 7 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part and serial number inspection  0.5 work-hours x                 $0  $42.50.............  $298.
                                    $85 per hour =
                                    $42.50 per
                                    airplane.
Inspection of affected axle......  Up to 16 work-hours               0  Up to $1,360 per     Up to $9,520 per
                                    x $85 per hour =                     axle, per            axle, per
                                    $1,360 per axle,                     inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Action                           Labor cost            Parts cost         Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair..................................  Up to 16 work-hours x $85               $0  $1,360.
                                           per hour = $1,360.
Axle replacement........................  Up to 88 work-hours x $85           47,126  $54,606.
                                           per hour = $7,480.
Optional replacement of MLG.............  Up to 48 work-hours x $85              (*)  Up to $4,080.
                                           per hour = $4,080.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for a replacement MLG. The parts
  cost must be obtained through SAFRAN.


[[Page 9797]]

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 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-2024-0223; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-
00996-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by March 28, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-223F, and -243F airplanes.
    (3) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -323, -342, -343, -841, and -941 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A340-312 and -313 airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of quality non-conformity on 
main landing gear (MLG) axles where the high velocity oxygen-fuel 
(HVOF) coating on the bearing journal runout areas had excessive 
coating compared to the drawing limits. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address damage, cracking, or spalling of the protective HVOF 
coating and exposure of the base material, which could allow 
corrosion to develop. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in a MLG axle failure, possibly resulting in a MLG collapse, 
with consequent 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) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2023-0167, dated August 30. 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0167).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0167

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0167 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies to 
inspect within 24 months after the part entry into service, this AD 
requires inspecting within 30 months after the part entry into 
service or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0167 specifies ``If, during 
any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any 
discrepancy, as defined in the SB, is detected, before next flight, 
contact SAFRAN Landing Systems for approved corrective action 
instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, 
accomplish those instructions accordingly. If no compliance time is 
identified in those instructions, accomplish the applicable 
corrective action(s) before next flight.'' This AD, however, 
requires replacing those words with ``If, during any inspection as 
required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy, as defined in 
the SB, is detected, the discrepancy must be repaired before further 
flight using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; Airbus SAS's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA); or SAFRAN Landing Systems' DOA. If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.''
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0167.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0167 
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 manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address 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; Airbus SAS's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA); or SAFRAN Landing System's EASA DOA. If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraphs (i) 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

[[Page 9798]]

changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of 
an AMOC.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3229; 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 2023-0167, 
dated August 30, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0167, 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on February 1, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02443 Filed 2-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P