[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 97499-97502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28791]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1890; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00087-T;
Amendment 39-22899; AD 2024-24-09]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-24-
05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes. AD 2022-24-05 required repetitive inspections of
certain galleys for corrosion of trolley retainer aluminum blocks and
delamination of the upper panel of the trolley compartment, and
applicable corrective action. This AD was prompted by the list of
affected galleys being revised, and a new modification that was
developed to restore the design integrity of the affected galleys. This
AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-24-05, provides optional
terminating action for the repetitive inspections, revises the list of
affected parts, and prohibits the installation of affected parts under
certain conditions; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2025.
[[Page 97500]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1890; 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 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 material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu
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. It is also available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1890.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 817-222-5102; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-24-05, Amendment 39-22245 (87 FR
74291, December 5, 2022) (AD 2022-24-05). AD 2022-24-05 applied to 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, -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. AD 2022-24-
05 required repetitive inspections of certain galleys for corrosion of
trolley retainer aluminum blocks and delamination of the upper panel of
the trolley compartment, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA
issued AD 2022-24-05 to address damage that could affect the galley's
capability to hold the trolley under emergency landing loads, which
could lead to trolley detachment, possibly resulting in blocking of an
escape path during an emergency exit.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2024 (89 FR
58086). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0038, dated February 5, 2024,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0038) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI states that the list of affected galleys has been revised, and
Airbus and the galley manufacturer have developed a modification to
restore the design integrity of the affected galleys.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in
AD 2022-24-05, provide optional terminating action for the repetitive
inspections, revise the list of affected parts, and prohibit the
installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified
in EASA AD 2024-0038. The FAA is issuing 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-2024-1890.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Airbus. The following presents the
comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response.
Request To Include a Missing Part Number
Airbus requested \1\ that the FAA revise the NPRM to include a
missing forward-facing galley part number. Airbus stated that the
missing part number is 601891-006801, which is derived from the
delivered part number 601891-001501 by the optional vendor service
bulletin 601891-25-001501-002, as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin
25-1BK4.
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\1\ Airbus' comment on this AD was submitted directly to the FAA
but has been placed into the rulemaking docket.
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The FAA agrees to include forward-facing galley, part number
601891-006801, in this AD. Part number 601891-006801 is derived from
the unsafe part number 601891-001501; therefore, part number 601891-
006801 has the same unsafe condition. The FAA confirmed with EASA that
part number 601891-006801 is an affected part. The FAA has added
paragraph (h)(5) of this AD to include part number 601891-006801 as an
affected part.
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,
and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0038 includes the following provisions:
Procedures for repetitive general visual inspections of
certain galleys for discrepancies including corrosion of trolley
retainer aluminum blocks and delamination of upper panel of trolley
compartment;
Corrective actions including repeating the inspection at
an earlier interval, repairing the trolley compartment upper panel, and
limiting the trolley weight;
Procedures for modifying the affected galleys as optional
terminating action for the repetitive inspections;
A revised the list of affected galleys; and
Prohibition of the installation of affected parts unless
the parts are inspected and corrected.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,425 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 97501]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2022-24-05... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $242,250
hour = $170.
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Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 40 work-hours x $85 per (*) Up to $3,400.*
hour = $3,400.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the parts associated with the modification specified in
this AD.
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 Costs
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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1 work-hours x $85 per hour = $85..... $0 $85
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-24-05, Amendment 39-22245
(87 FR 74291, December 5, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2024-24-09 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22899; Docket No. FAA-2024-1890;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00087-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-24-05, Amendment 39-22245 (87 FR 74291,
December 5, 2022) (AD 2022-24-05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes identified 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, -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 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that damage (including
delamination of work deck and corroded and cracked retainer blocks)
was found during inspection of certain galleys. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address damage that could affect the galley's capability
to hold the trolley under emergency landing loads, which could lead
to trolley detachment, possibly resulting in blocking of an escape
path during an emergency exit.
[[Page 97502]]
(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
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0038, dated February 5, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0038).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0038
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0038 refers to ``18 August 2021 [the
effective date of the EASA AD 2021-0183 at original issue],'' this
AD requires using January 9, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-24-
05).
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0038 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0038.
(4) Where EASA AD 2024-0038 does not specify corrective action
after a post-repair inspection that has findings of damage, this AD
requires obtaining repair instructions before further flight from
the FAA, EASA, or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval
(DOA), and accomplishing those actions accordingly. Any approval by
the DOA must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(5) Where EASA AD 2024-0038 defines an affected part as
``Forward-facing galleys, having a Part Number (P/N) as listed in
Appendix 1 of this AD,'' for this AD, replace that text with
``Forward-facing galleys, having a Part Number (P/N) as listed in
Appendix 1 of this AD, or having P/N 601891-006801.''
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0038 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; 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): Except as required by
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any material 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) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 817-222-5102; email:
[email protected].
(l) 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.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0038,
dated February 5, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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 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 November 25, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28791 Filed 12-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P