[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73608-73612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20381]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2139; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00123-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2023-05-02, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320 
and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-05-02 requires revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 
2023-05-02, the FAA has determined 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 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.

[[Page 73609]]


DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 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-2024-2139; 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 EASA material identified in this proposed 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-2024-2139.
     You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3667; 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 the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2139; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00123-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 
Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2023-05-02, Amendment 39-22371 (88 FR 15600, 
March 14, 2023) (AD 2023-05-02), for certain Airbus SAS Model A318, 
A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-05-02 was prompted by an 
MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2022-0102, dated June 8, 
2022 (EASA AD 2022-0102) (which corresponds to FAA AD 2023-05-02), to 
correct an unsafe condition.
    AD 2023-05-02 requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. AD 2023-05-02 also 
specifies that accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance 
or inspection program terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) 
through (k) of AD 2018-23-02, Amendment 39-19488 (83 FR 59278, November 
23, 2018). The FAA issued AD 2023-05-02 to address the risks associated 
with the effects of aging on airplane systems. Such effects could 
change system characteristics. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in an increased potential for failure of certain life-
limited parts, and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2023-05-02 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2023-05-02, EASA superseded AD 2022-0102 
and issued EASA AD 2024-0046, dated February 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-
0046) (also referred to as the MCAI), for all Airbus SAS Model A318-
111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113,-114, -
115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; Model A320-
211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -
271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, 
-212, -213, -231, 232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -
271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes. Model A320-215 airplanes are 
not certified 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 that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed.
    Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued after November 6, 2023, must 
comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; 
this proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address the risks associated with 
the effects of aging on airplane systems. Such effects could change 
system characteristics. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in an increased potential for failure of certain life-limited 
parts, and reduced structural integrity of the airplane. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. 
FAA-2024-2139.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0046. This material specifies new or 
more restrictive airworthiness

[[Page 73610]]

limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits.
    This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2022-0102, which the 
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of April 18, 2023 (88 FR 15600, March 14, 2023).
    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

    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 retain all of the requirements of AD 2023-
05-02. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are 
specified in EASA AD 2024-0046 already described, as proposed for 
incorporation by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2024-0046 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 (AMOC) according to 
paragraph (n)(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 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 retain the IBR of EASA AD 2022-0102 and incorporate 
EASA AD 2024-0046 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD 
would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2022-0102 and EASA AD 
2024-0046 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 2022-0102 or EASA AD 2024-0046 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 2022-
0102 or EASA AD 2024-0046. Material required by EASA AD 2022-0102 and 
EASA AD 2024-0046 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2024-2139 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 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 AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in 
the AMOCs paragraph under ``Additional AD 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 AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 1,920 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2023-05-02 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    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.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions 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 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.

[[Page 73611]]

    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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-05-02, Amendment 39-22371 (88 
FR 15600, March 14, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new Airworthiness Directive:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2024-2139; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00123-T.

 (a) Comments Due Date

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

 (b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2023-05-02, Amendment 39-22371 (88 FR 
15600, March 14, 2023) (AD 2023-05-02).
    (2) This AD affects AD 2018-23-02, Amendment 39-19488 (83 FR 
59278, November 23, 2018) (AD 2018-23-02).

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, with an 
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before November 6, 2023.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, 
and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the risks associated with the effects of 
aging on airplane systems. Such effects could change system 
characteristics. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in an increased potential for failure of certain life-limited 
parts, and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (n) of AD 
2023-05-02, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before February 18, 2022, comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2022-0102, dated June 8, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0102). Accomplishing the 
revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required 
by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this 
paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0102, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(o) of AD 2023-05-02, with no changes.
    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0102.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102 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, within 90 days after April 18, 2023 (the effective 
date of AD 2023-05-02).
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0102, or within 90 
days after April 18, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-05-02), 
whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0102.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0102.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a 
New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (p) of AD 
2023-05-02, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0102.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0046, dated February 19, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0046). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance 
or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0046

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0046.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0046 specifies revising ``the 
AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0046 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0046, or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2024-0046.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0046.

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (j) 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 2024-0046.

(m) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2018-23-02

    Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or 
inspection program required by paragraph (g) or (j) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) through (k) of AD 
2018-23-02.

(n) 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

[[Page 73612]]

Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (o) of this 
AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (ii) AMOCs approved for AD 2023-05-02 are approved as AMOCs for 
the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (iii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2023-05-02 are approved 
as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2024-0046 that 
are required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (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 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(o) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3667; email 
[email protected].

(p) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS 
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0046, 
dated February 19, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following material was approved for IBR on April 18, 
2023 (88 FR 15600, March 14, 2023).
    (i) EASA AD 2022-0102, dated June 8, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) For EASA material identified 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 EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 
Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (7) 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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on September 5, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-20381 Filed 9-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P