81 FR 44489 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 131 (July 8, 2016)

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-18-12 for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. AD 2012-18- 12 required modifying the off-wing escape slide (OWS) enclosures on the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side of the fuselage. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-18-12 and expands the applicability to all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that additional OWS part numbers have been affected. We are issuing this AD to prevent off-wing exits on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage from becoming inoperative. During an emergency, inoperative off-wing exits could impair the safe evacuation of occupants, possibly resulting in personal injuries.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44489-44492]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15902]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 131 / Friday, July 8, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 44489]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4202; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-016-AD; 
Amendment 39-18583; AD 2016-14-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-18-12 for 
certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. AD 2012-18-
12 required modifying the off-wing escape slide (OWS) enclosures on the 
left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side of the fuselage. This new 
AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-18-12 and expands the 
applicability to all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that additional OWS part 
numbers have been affected. We are issuing this AD to prevent off-wing 
exits on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage from becoming inoperative. 
During an emergency, inoperative off-wing exits could impair the safe 
evacuation of occupants, possibly resulting in personal injuries.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 12, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 12, 
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 22, 2012 (77 FR 57003, September 17, 2012).

ADDRESSES: For Airbus 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.
    For Air Cruisers service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Air Cruisers Company, Cage Code 70167, 1747 State Route 34, 
Wall Township, NJ 07727-3935; telephone 732-681-3527; fax 732-681-9163; 
Internet http://www.zodiacaerospace.com/en/our-activities/aerosafety/zodiac-evacuation-systems.
    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-
4202.

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-
4202; 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 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 to supersede AD 2012-18-12, Amendment 39-17189 (77 FR 57003, 
September 17, 2012) (``AD 2012-18-12''). AD 2012-18-12 applied to 
certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2015 (80 FR 64375) 
(``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports that additional OWS 
part numbers have been affected. The NPRM proposed to retain the 
requirements of AD 2012-18-12, and to expand the applicability to all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent off-wing exits on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage 
from becoming inoperative. During an emergency, inoperative off-wing 
exits could impair the safe evacuation of occupants, possibly resulting 
in personal injuries.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0025R1, dated May 26, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus Model A318, 
A319, and A320 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    One operator reported a torn out aspirator during scheduled 
deployment (for on ground testing purposes) of the Left Hand (LH) 
off-wing [escape] slide (OWS). Investigation results revealed that 
the aspirator of the OWS system interfered with the extrusion lip of 
the OWS enclosure during the initial stage of the deployment 
sequence.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an off-wing 
exit, either LH or Right Hand (RH), becoming unserviceable, which, 
during an emergency situation, could impair the safe evacuation of 
occupants, possibly resulting in personal injuries.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) A320-25-1649 containing modification 
instructions for certain part number (P/N) OWS enclosures. 
Consequently, EASA issued [EASA] AD 2010-0210 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2010-0210, which corresponds to FAA AD 2012-18-
12] to require modification of the affected OWS enclosures.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, several other OWS P/N[s] have 
been identified as potentially impacted.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2010-0210, which is superseded, expands the 
Applicability to all A318, A319 and A320 aeroplanes, and expands the 
batch of affected P/N[s] prohibited to be installed on an aeroplane.
    For the reason described above, EASA issued AD 2014-0025, 
retaining the requirements of EASA AD 2010-0210, which was 
superseded, expanding the Applicability to all A318, A319 and A320 
aeroplanes, and expanding the batch of affected P/N[s]

[[Page 44490]]

prohibited to be installed on an aeroplane. That [EASA] AD also 
retained the requirements of * * * [an AD, which was superseded], 
which required modification of the OWS and its aspirator.
    This [EASA] AD is revised to amend paragraphs (1) and (3) to 
restore the original applicability of [a Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile] DGAC France AD and EASA 
AD 2010-0210, respectively, and to correct paragraph (2) to give 
credit for certain production modifications that were equivalent for 
the in-service actions previously required by [a] DGAC France AD.

    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-
4202.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Change Parts Installation Prohibitions

    United Airlines (United) asked for clarification of the language in 
paragraph (k) of the proposed AD, which would prohibit the installation 
of OWS part numbers (P/Ns) including D31865-109, D31865-110, D31865-
209, and D31865-210, as identified in paragraph (h)(2) of the proposed 
AD, but also specifies accomplishing the modification required by 
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. United stated that the modification 
converts those part numbers into D31865-309, D31865-311, D31865-310, 
and D31865-312, respectively. Therefore, United suggested we remove any 
language allowing installation of P/Ns D31865-109, D31865-110, D31865-
209, and D31865-210 from the proposed AD.
    We agree that clarification is necessary. We have moved the 
language in paragraph (h)(1) of the proposed AD into paragraph (h) of 
this AD and removed paragraph (h)(2) from this AD. We have also removed 
the language in paragraph (k) of the proposed AD which specified 
``except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD for the OWS 
enclosures identified in paragraph (h) of this AD.'' And where 
paragraph (l)(2) of the proposed AD referred to ``paragraph (h)(2),'' 
we have changed this reference to paragraph (h) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously, and 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

    Airbus has issued the following service information.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 03, dated 
December 5, 2001. This service information describes procedures for 
modifying OWS enclosures having P/Ns D31865-101, D31865-102, D31865-
103, D31865-104, D31865-105, D31865-106, D31865-107, or D31865-108 of 
certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1649, dated February 16, 
2010. This service information describes procedures for modifying and 
installing OWS enclosures having P/Ns D31865-109, D31865-110, D31865-
209, or D31865-210, on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage on certain 
Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes.
    Air Cruisers has issued Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 
4, dated November 9, 2012. This service information describes 
procedures for modifying the LH and RH OWS.
    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 851 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2012-18-12 and retained in this AD take 
about 14 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts will cost $0 per product. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the actions that are required by AD 
2012-18-12 is $1,190 per product.
    We also estimate that it takes about 48 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost $0 per product. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$3,472,080, or $4,080 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2012-18-12, Amendment 39-17189 (77 FR 57003, September 17, 2012), and 
adding the following new AD:


[[Page 44491]]


2016-14-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-18583. Docket No. FAA-2015-4202; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-016-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces (AD) 2012-18-12, Amendment 39-17189 (77 FR 
57003, September 17, 2012) (``AD 2012-18-12'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category, 
all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model 320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that additional OWS part numbers 
have been affected. We are issuing this AD to prevent off-wing exits 
on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the fuselage from 
becoming inoperative. During an emergency, inoperative off-wing 
exits could impair the safe evacuation of occupants, possibly 
resulting in personal injuries.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Modification

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2012-18-12, with no changes. For airplanes equipped with OWS 
enclosures having part number (P/N) D31865-109, D31865-110, D31865-
209, or D31865-210, except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this 
AD: Within 36 months after October 22, 2012 (the effective date of 
AD 2012-18-12), modify the OWS enclosures and install an OWS 
enclosure having P/N D31865-309, D31865-311, D31865-310, or D31865-
312 on the LH side and RH side of the fuselage, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1649, dated February 16, 2010.

(h) New Modification of Affected OWS Enclosures and Aspirators

    For airplanes equipped with an OWS enclosure having P/N D31865-
101, D31865-102, D31865-103, D31865-104, D31865-105, D31865-106, 
D31865-107, or D31865-108, except as provided by paragraph (i)(2) of 
this AD: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
modify the OWS enclosures and their aspirators in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1156, Revision 03, dated December 5, 2001.

(i) Exceptions to the Requirements of Paragraphs (g) and (h) of This AD

    (1) Airplanes having Airbus Modification 30088 embodied in 
production using an OWS enclosure having P/N D31865-111 or D31865-
112 are not affected by the requirements of paragraph (g) of this 
AD, unless a replacement OWS enclosure, having a part number listed 
in paragraphs (k)(9) through (k)(12) of this AD, has been installed 
on that airplane since first flight.
    (2) Airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 24850, 25844, and 
27275 have been embodied in production, or on which modifications of 
the LH and RH OWS enclosures and their aspirators have been 
accomplished using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 
01, dated February 2, 1999; or Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; 
and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1265, dated June 6, 2001, are 
compliant with the modification requirement of paragraph (h) of this 
AD.

(j) Optional Method of Compliance for Paragraph (g) of This AD

    Installing both LH and RH OWS that have been modified in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Air Cruisers 
Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 4, dated November 9, 2012, 
is an acceptable method of compliance with the modification required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Part Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane an OWS enclosure having a part number listed in paragraphs 
(k)(1) through (k)(12) of this AD.
    (1) D31865-101.
    (2) D31865-102.
    (3) D31865-103.
    (4) D31865-104.
    (5) D31865-105.
    (6) D31865-106.
    (7) D31865-107.
    (8) D31865-108.
    (9) D31865-109.
    (10) D31865-110.
    (11) D31865-209.
    (12) D31865-210.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the service information identified 
in paragraph (l)(1)(i) or (l)(1)(ii) of this AD, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 02, dated 
October 26, 1999.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1265, dated June 6, 2001, which is not incorporated by reference in 
this AD.
    (3) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the service information identified 
in paragraph (l)(3)(i), (l)(3)(ii), (l)(3)(iii), or (l)(3)(iv) of 
this AD, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (i) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, dated February 
5, 2010.
    (ii) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 1, 
dated April 9, 2010.
    (iii) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 2, 
dated February 11, 2011.
    (iv) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 3, 
dated October 28, 2011.

(m) 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].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2012-18-12 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0025R1, dated May 26, 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-2015-4202.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (o)(5), (o)(6), and (o)(7) of this AD.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this

[[Page 44492]]

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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 12, 2016.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 03, dated 
December 5, 2001.
    (ii) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-84, Revision 4, 
dated November 9, 2012.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 22, 2012 (77 FR 57003, September 17, 2012).
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1649, dated February 16, 
2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For Airbus 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.
    (6) For Air Cruisers service information identified in this AD, 
contact Air Cruisers Company, Cage Code 70167, 1747 State Route 34, 
Wall Township, NJ 07727-3935; telephone 732-681-3527; fax 732-681-
9163; Internet http://www.zodiacaerospace.com/en/our-activities/aerosafety/zodiac-evacuation-systems.
    (7) 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.
    (8) 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 June 23, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15902 Filed 7-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P