81 FR 17365 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 60 (March 29, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by investigations that revealed that the cover seal of the brake dual distribution valve (BDDV) was damaged and did not ensure efficient sealing. This AD requires modifying the BDDVs having certain part numbers; modifying the drain hose of the BDDV; checking for the presence of water, ice, and hydraulic fluid; re-identifying the BDDV; and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the BDDV, which could lead to water ingestion in the BDDV and freezing of the BDDV in flight, possibly resulting in loss of braking system function after landing.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17365-17367]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06528]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4816; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-238-AD; 
Amendment 39-18444; AD 2016-06-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by investigations that revealed that the cover seal of the 
brake dual distribution valve (BDDV) was damaged and did not ensure 
efficient sealing. This AD requires modifying the BDDVs having certain 
part numbers; modifying the drain hose of the BDDV; checking for the 
presence of water, ice, and hydraulic fluid; re-identifying the BDDV; 
and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the BDDV, which could lead to 
water ingestion in the BDDV and freezing of the BDDV in flight, 
possibly resulting in loss of braking system function after landing.

DATES: This AD is effective May 3, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 3, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4816.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4816; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 19, 2015 (80 FR 72401) (``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0251R1, dated December 17, 2014 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    In 1998, an operator experienced a dual loss of braking systems. 
Investigation results revealed that the cover seal of the Brake Dual 
Distribution Valve (BDDV) was damaged and did not ensure the sealing 
efficiency.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to water ingestion 
in the BDDV and freezing of the BDDV in flight, possibly resulting 
in loss of braking system function after landing.
    [The Directorate General for Civil Aviation] (DGAC) France 
issued AD 2000-258-146 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/20002580tb_superseded.pdf/AD_F-2000-258-146_1] [which corresponds to 
certain actions in FAA AD 2001-15-10, Amendment 39-12344 (66 FR 
39413, July 31, 2001)] to require modification of the BDDV with a 
new cover and installation of a draining tube with a cap.
    Since that French AD was issued, following a new event, Airbus 
developed a modification of the BDDV drain tube which will leave it 
open, ensuring continuous drainage of any ingested water, thereby 
preventing freezing of the brake system.
    For the reasons described above, EASA issued [another AD] * * *, 
to require modification of the BDDV drain tube.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, comments were received that 
indicated a need for correction and clarification. Consequently, 
this [EASA] AD is revised to add a Note to Table 1 and to amend 
paragraph (3).

    The modification includes a check for the presence of water, ice, 
and hydraulic fluid, and related investigative and corrective actions 
if necessary. Related investigative actions include an inspection for 
corrosion. Corrective actions include replacing the BDDV. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4816.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

[[Page 17366]]

United Airlines had no objection to the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1415, dated September 
2, 2014. The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
BDDVs having certain part numbers; modifying the drain hose of the 
BDDV; checking for the presence of water, ice, and hydraulic fluid; re-
identifying the BDDV; and doing related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. This service information 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

    We estimate that this AD affects 953 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts cost about $421 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $887,243, or $931 per product.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2016-06-13 Airbus: Amendment 39-18444. Docket No. FAA-2015-4816; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-238-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 3, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category, all 
manufacturer serial numbers, except those on which Airbus 
Modification 26925 has been embodied in production.
    (1) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by investigations that revealed that the 
cover seal of the BDDV was damaged and did not ensure efficient 
sealing. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the BDDV, which 
could lead to water ingestion in the BDDV and freezing of the BDDV 
in flight, possibly resulting in loss of braking system function 
after landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification and Re-Identification

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
BDDV having a part number listed in the column ``Old Part Number'' 
in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD; modify the drain hose of the 
affected BDDV; check for the presence of water, ice, and hydraulic 
fluid; and re-identify the BDDV to the corresponding part number, as 
applicable, as listed as ``New Part Number'' in table 1 to paragraph 
(g) of this AD; and do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1415, dated 
September 2, 2014. Do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions before further flight.

 Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--BDDV Part Number Re-Identification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Old part number                      New part number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             A25434006-3                       A25434006-3000
           A25434005-101                       A25434005-1010
           A25434005-201                       A25434005-2010
           A25434005-301                       A25434005-3010
           A25434005-401                       A25434005-4010
           A25434006-101                       A25434006-1010
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1 to table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  The part number 
listed in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD can have an ``A'' or 
``B'' suffix, which is an indication of the amendment level of the 
BDDV. This does not affect compliance with this AD.

(h) Parts Installation Limitations

    As of the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD, no person may install a BDDV having a part number 
listed as ``Old Part Number'' in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD, on any airplane.
    (1) For any airplane that, on the effective date of this AD, has 
a BDDV installed with a part number listed as ``Old Part Number'' in 
table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: After modification of the 
airplane, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

[[Page 17367]]

    (2) For any airplane that, on the effective date of this AD, has 
a BDDV installed with a part number listed as ``New Part Number'' in 
table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, or has a BDDV installed with a 
part number not listed in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: As of 
the effective date of this AD.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; fax 425-227-1149. 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 local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): 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 changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0251R1, dated December 17, 2014, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4816.

(k) 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) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1415, dated September 2, 
2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 16, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06528 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P