[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 75 (Monday, April 21, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16655-16658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06667]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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. 90, No. 75 / Monday, April 21, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 16655]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0626; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00713-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a heavy maintenance check that found
elongation on the upper section of the vertical member's assembly at
the frame (FR) 24A cargo panel sub-structure. This proposed AD would
require a check for certain repairs, and as applicable, repetitive
detailed visual inspections of the vertical member's upper part and the
upper fittings at FR 24A in the forward cargo compartment and
corrective actions. 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 June 5,
2025.
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-2025-0626; 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 Airbus material identified in this proposed AD,
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email airbus.com">account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
website airbus.com.
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: Tim Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 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-2025-0626;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00713-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 Tim
Dowling, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2025-0083, dated April 14, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0083) (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus
SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; Model A321-111,
-112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX,
-253N, -253NX, -253NY, -271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes.
Model A320-215 and A321-271NY 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 that during heavy maintenance checks,
elongation was found on the upper section of the vertical member's
assembly (Y-765, Y-254, Y254, and
[[Page 16656]]
Y765) at the FR 24A cargo panel sub-structure. The affected parts are
the cargo bulkhead vertical member upper parts and upper fittings
located at FR 24A behind the 80VU rack.
The FAA is proposing this AD to detect and correct damage of the FR
24A vertical members assembly in the forward cargo compartment. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to affected parts
hitting the 80VU rack and subsequent loss of several 80VU computers,
with multiple system failures or partial disconnection of systems,
which could result in reduced control of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0626.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU and Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-25-1CFV, both dated September 26, 2024, specify procedures for a
maintenance records check for certain existing repairs, and depending
on the results of the check, contacting Airbus for instructions,
repetitive detailed visual inspections for damage (e.g., cracking and
wear, which includes elongation of the hole) of the vertical members
upper part (side, elongated hole, and guiding nuts) and repetitive
detailed visual inspections for damage (e.g., cracking and wear) of the
upper fittings at FR 24A in the forward cargo compartment. Depending on
the detailed visual inspection results, the material also specifies
corrective actions, including repairing damage, installing new or
retained vertical members and new guiding nuts, and replacing damaged
upper fittings with new fittings. These documents are distinct since
they apply to different airplane configurations.
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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material already described, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Proposed Compliance Times
The initial compliance time for the proposed check and, as
applicable, the detailed visual inspections is the later of: Before
exceeding 30,000 flight hours since first flight, 15,000 flight cycles
since first flight, or 72 months since airplane date of manufacture,
whichever occurs first; and within 36 months.
The proposed repetitive compliance time for applicable detailed
visual inspections is at intervals not to exceed 30,000 flight hours,
15,000 flight cycles, or 72 months, whichever occurs first.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 1,938 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...................... $0 $85 $164,730
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 *
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per Up to $614...... $1,294
hour = $680.
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* Includes damage repair, installation of vertical members and guiding
nuts, replacement of upper fittings with new fittings, and repetitive
inspections. The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base
the cost estimates for the on-condition instructions specified in this
proposed AD.
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:
[[Page 16657]]
(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-2025-0626; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00713-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by June 5, 2025.
(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, -133, -
151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N 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, -253NY, -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 heavy maintenance check that found
elongation on the upper section of the vertical member's assembly at
the frame (FR) 24A cargo panel sub-structure. The FAA is issuing
this AD to detect and correct damage of the FR 24A vertical members
assembly in the forward cargo compartment. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could lead to affected parts hitting the 80VU rack
and subsequent loss of several 80VU computers, with multiple system
failures or partial disconnection of systems, which could result in
reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
(1) For Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 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: Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, at the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, do
all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for
compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated
September 26, 2024.
(2) For Model A319-151N, -153N, -171N, and -173N airplanes;
Model A320-251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes;
and Model A321-251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -253NY, -
271N, -271NX, -272N, and -272NX airplanes: Except as specified in
paragraph (h) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, do all applicable actions identified
as ``RC'' in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated
September 26, 2024.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information
(1) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, refer to ``the
effective date of the AD,'' this AD requires using the effective
date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26, 2024, refer to a
compliance time ``since aircraft entry into service (EIS)'' or
``since aircraft EIS,'' for this AD, replace that text with ``since
airplane date of manufacture.''
(3) Where the ``Conditions'' column of Table 2 in paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated
September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated
September 26, 2024, refers to ``All aircraft,'' for this AD, replace
that text with ``All aircraft on which the vertical member has not
been repaired as per RDAF and it has not been repaired in accordance
with SRM 53-21-29-300-002.''
(4) Where the ``Conditions'' column of Table 3 in paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated
September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated
September 26, 2024, refers to ``All aircraft,'' for this AD, replace
that text with ``All aircraft on which the upper fitting has not
been repaired in accordance with SRM 53-21-29-283-003.''
(5) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance'' and the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated
September 26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated
September 26, 2024, specify ``should be replaced,'' for this AD,
replace that text with ``must be replaced.''
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September
26, 2024, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September
26, 2024, specify 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety 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, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention
of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (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 Tim Dowling,
Aviation Safety
[[Page 16658]]
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
206-231-3667; email [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFU, dated September 26,
2024.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1CFV, dated September 26,
2024.
(3) For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2,
31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email airbus.com">account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; website
airbus.com.
(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 April 14, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-06667 Filed 4-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P