[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 83 (Thursday, May 1, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18629-18631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07487]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0009; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00317-T;
Amendment 39-23018; AD 2025-08-05]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132,
and -133 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a widespread fatigue damage
(WFD) scenario review for a certification project that indicated
several cracks found around the potable water and wastewater service
panels were WFD instead of typical fatigue. This AD requires
modification of the potable water and wastewater service panels, 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 June 5, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 5,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0009; 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]. 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-2025-0009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Dowling, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3667; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS
Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2025 (90 FR
7996). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0105, dated May 30, 2024,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0105) (also referred to as the MCAI).
The MCAI
[[Page 18630]]
states that, during the WFD scenario review of the frame for
certification of the Airbus SAS Model A321XLR, it has been identified
that some previous findings of the full-scale fatigue test in WFD areas
were not properly correlated. The WFD criteria in terms of number of
findings per location and end-of-test demonstrated life have to be
assessed accordingly. Several cracks found around the potable water and
wastewater service panels (WFD areas) shall be considered as WFD
instead of typical fatigue findings; therefore, WFD fatigue
calculations must be updated accordingly.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modification of the
potable water and wastewater service panels, as specified in EASA AD
2024-0105. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks around the
potable water and wastewater service panels, which could affect the
structural integrity of the fuselage.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0009.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from United Airlines who supported the
NPRM without change.
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 the addition of Note 1 to paragraph (g), 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 2024-0105 specifies procedures for modification of the
potable water service panel at stringer (STR) 43 between frames (FRs)
65 and 66 and the wastewater service panel at STR 40 between FRs 65 and
66. Modification includes:
Removing the solid rivets in both service panels areas;
Performing a rotating probe test (i.e., inspection) of the
fastener holes for both service panels for any crack;
If any crack is detected in any service panel, obtaining
and following approved repair instructions;
If any crack is not detected in the potable water service
panel, cold working the fastener holes;
If any crack is not detected in the wastewater service
panel, drilling the fastener holes; and
Installing hi-lok fasteners with interference fit in both
service panels.
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 344 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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27 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,295........................ $110 $2,405 $827,320
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repair of any crack, as specified in
this 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
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-08-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23018; Docket No. FAA-2025-0009;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00317-T.
[[Page 18631]]
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 5, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114,
-115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes, certificated in any category,
as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0105, dated May 30, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0105).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a widespread fatigue damage (WFD)
scenario review for a certification project that indicated several
cracks found around the potable water and wastewater service panels
are WFD instead of typical fatigue. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address cracks around the potable water and wastewater service
panels. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the
structural integrity of the fuselage.
(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, EASA AD 2024-0105.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): FAA AD 2025-03-06, Amendment 39-22954
(90 FR 9595, February 14, 2025) mandates new airworthiness
limitations, including tasks 534141-02-2 and 534142-02-1, which are
referred to in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0105.
(h) Exception to EASA AD 2024-0105
This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2024-
0105.
(i) 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 of
the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j) 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 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 (i)(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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Timothy Dowling,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone: 206-231-3667; email: [email protected].
(k) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0105,
dated May 30, 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]. You may find this material 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 April 15, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-07487 Filed 4-30-25; 8:45 am]
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