82 FR 39347 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 159 (August 18, 2017)

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22-06 which applied to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2015-22-06 required revising the After Start Normal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures that address latent failures in the spoiler and elevator computer (SEC). This AD requires installing new updated SEC software. This AD was prompted by reports that certain maintenance messages indicated the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine start. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39347-39351]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14471]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9508; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-065-AD; 
Amendment 39-18956; AD 2017-14-12]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22-06 
which applied to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. AD 2015-22-06 required revising the After Start Normal 
Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide 
procedures that address latent failures in the spoiler and elevator 
computer (SEC). This AD requires installing new updated SEC software. 
This AD was prompted by reports that certain maintenance messages 
indicated the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by 
SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine start. We are issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 22, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 22, 
2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 20, 2015 (80 FR 68429, November 5, 2015).

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-2016-
9508.

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-2016-
9508; 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: 

[[Page 39348]]

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 (80 FR 68429, 
November 5, 2015) (``AD 2015-22-06''). AD 2015-22-06 applied to all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on December 20, 2016 (81 FR 92749). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports that some maintenance messages pointed 
out the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by SEC 1, 
SEC 2, or both, during the engine start. The NPRM proposed to continue 
to require revision of the After Start Normal Procedures section of the 
AFM. The NPRM also proposed to require multiple actions depending on 
airplane configuration. For airplanes with SEC C that have received the 
previous Airbus modification to SEC hardware, the NPRM proposed to 
require a software update and revision to the AFM. For airplanes that 
have not received the modification, the NPRM proposed to require 
inspection of the currently installed SEC hardware to determine if it 
is affected by this AD and to complete a corrective action to update 
the software and AFM as required. We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
undetected loss of redundancy during flight if an affected SEC cannot 
control the related elevator servo control(s), which could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive, 2016-0056, dated March 18, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A318 
and A319 series airplanes, and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, 
and -233, and A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Following the introduction of new Spoiler and Elevator Computer 
(SEC) hardware C Part Number (P/N) B372CAM0100 with software (SW) 
standards 122, 124 and 125 (identified by P/N B372CAM0101, P/N 
B372CAM0102 and P/N B372CAM0103, respectively, and hereafter 
referred to as an ``affected SEC software standard'' in this [EASA] 
AD), some airlines reported receiving maintenance messages, e.g. 
``SEC OR WIRING FROM L or R ELEV POS MON XDCR'' and/or ``SEC OR 
WIRING FROM G or Y ELEV POS XDCR'', which are associated with servo 
control or elevator transducer monitoring. Such messages are 
triggered by a short data inconsistency due to power transients, 
when the engines are started.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an undetected 
loss of redundancy during flight if an affected SEC cannot control 
the related elevator servo control(s), possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2015-
0191 [which corresponds to AD 2015-22-06] to require amendment of 
the applicable [Airbus] Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the 
flight crew procedure necessary to recover full SEC redundancy.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, to fix the software deficiency, 
SEC software standard 126 (identified by P/N B372CAM0104) was 
developed, which is embodied in production through Airbus 
modification (mod) 161208 (installation of SEC software standard 
126), and introduced in service through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) 
A320-27-1252.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the AFM 
change requirements of EASA AD 2015-0191, which is superseded, and 
requires the removal and/or upgrade of [an affected] SEC.

    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-2016-
9508.

Comments

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

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), expressed 
its full support for the NPRM.

Request To Extend Compliance Time for Replacement of Affected Software

    American Airlines (AAL) requested that we revise the proposed AD to 
extend the proposed compliance time for replacement of the affected 
software from 3 months to 24 months. AAL mentioned that it has 121 
airplanes, for a total of 363 SEC computers, and that the proposed 
compliance time of 3 months poses a significant burden on its ability 
to comply with the proposed requirements. AAL asserted that an increase 
in the specified compliance time would greatly decrease the burden with 
no added safety risk, due to the revision of the AFM specified in 
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD.
    We do not agree to extend the specified compliance time. The 
operator provided no technical justification for revising this 
compliance time. Further, in developing an appropriate compliance time 
for this action, we considered the urgency associated with the subject 
unsafe condition, the availability of necessary replacement software, 
recommendations from the manufacturer, and the practical aspect of 
accomplishing the required modification within a period of time that 
corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for most affected 
operators. We have determined that a 3-month compliance time will 
ensure an acceptable level of safety and allow the software replacement 
to be done during regular maintenance schedules for most affected 
operators. However, under the provisions of paragraph (p)(1) of this 
AD, we will consider requests for approval of an extension of the 
compliance time if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that 
the new compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety. We 
have not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Permit Replacement of SEC in Lieu of Software Standard 126

    AAL requested that we revise paragraph (i)(l) of the proposed AD to 
allow replacement of the SEC in lieu of installation of SEC software 
standard 126. AAL suggested that we add a statement similar to 
paragraph (i)(2) of the proposed AD, to paragraph (i)(1) of the 
proposed AD, allowing replacement of the SEC to be accomplished in 
accordance with an installation method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 
EASA; or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). AAL asserted 
that there are cases where the option to replace the SEC in accordance 
with the applicable Airbus airplane maintenance manual or other 
approved methods on airplanes having Airbus modification 39429 would 
benefit operators, especially given the 3-month compliance time.
    We disagree with the request to revise paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 
As specified in the MCAI, paragraph (i)(1) of this AD applies to 
airplanes with Airbus modification 39429 embodied in production and 
requires installing SEC software standard 126, which is the only 
approved corrective action. The instructions in paragraph (i)(2) of 
this AD only apply to airplanes that have not received the modification 
in production. However, under the provisions of paragraph (p)(1) of 
this AD, we will consider alternative replacements if sufficient data 
are submitted to substantiate that the alternative replacement would 
provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not changed this AD in 
this regard.

[[Page 39349]]

Request To Specify Latest Airbus Service Bulletin

    Airbus requested that we revise the NPRM to reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, Revision 01, dated January 1, 2017, for 
the applicable software replacement required by paragraph (i)(2) of 
this AD. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, dated December 18, 2015, 
was specified as the appropriate source of service information for the 
proposed SEC software replacement provided in the proposed AD. Airbus 
stated that Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, Revision 01, dated 
January 1, 2017, was issued to add a maintenance records check for 
determining the part number of the SEC software, and to correct a 
typographical error in a part number in a certain subtask.
    We agree that this AD should specify Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
27-1257, Revision 01, dated January 1, 2017. This service information 
corrects errors in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, dated December 
18, 2015, which were noted in the NPRM. No additional work is necessary 
for airplanes on which the actions were performed using Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-27-1257, dated December 18, 2015. Therefore, we have 
changed this AD to refer to Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, 
Revision 01, dated January 1, 2017, as the appropriate source of 
service information for the applicable required SEC software 
replacement. We have also added paragraph (o) to this AD to provide 
credit for actions accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD, 
if those actions were performed using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1257, dated December 18, 2015, and redesignated subsequent paragraphs 
accordingly.

Additional Changes to This AD

    We have revised this AD to provide credit for the software 
replacement required by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, dated November 6, 2015. We have also 
moved the content of note 1 to paragraph (g) of the proposed AD to the 
text in paragraph (g) of this AD. We have redesignated the subsequent 
note accordingly. In addition, we have revised paragraph (m) of this AD 
to clarify the provision for installation of equivalent software and 
hardware. The proposed AD referred to the effective date of this AD. 
This AD refers to the effective date of the MCAI.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments 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 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 the following service information:
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, Revision 01, dated 
February 18, 2016.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, Revision 01, dated 
January 1, 2017.
    This service information provides information for identifying 
affected SECs and updating the software on affected SECs. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
configurations.
    We also reviewed Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Temporary Revision 
TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 AFM. This service information describes the reset of SEC 1 and SEC 
2 that must be done after engine start.
    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 959 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision (retained action from AD      1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85         $81,515
 2015-22-06).                               = $85.
Removal and replacement of SEC (new        4 work-hours x $85 per hour            0          340         326,060
 action).                                   = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,

[[Page 39350]]

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) 
2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 (80 FR 68429, November 5, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-14-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-18956; Docket No. FAA-2016-9508; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-065-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 (80 FR 68429, 
November 5, 2015) (``AD 2015-22-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, all 
manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that certain maintenance 
messages were recorded within the post flight report (PFR) that 
indicated the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by 
spoiler and elevator computer (SEC) 1, SEC 2, or both, during the 
engine start. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected loss 
of redundancy during flight if an affected SEC cannot control the 
related elevator servo control(s), possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision, With Revised 
Compliance Language

    (1) This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of 
AD 2015-22-06, with revised compliance language. For airplanes 
equipped with SEC hardware C part number (P/N) B372CAM0100 with 
software standards 122 (P/N B372CAM0101), 124 (P/N B372CAM0102), or 
125 (P/N B372CAM0103), on SEC position 1 or 2, or both: Within 30 
days after November 20, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-22-06), 
revise the After Start Normal Procedures section of the AFM to 
include the statement specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD or Airbus A318/
A319/A320/A321 Temporary Revision TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 
2015, to the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 AFM, into the applicable 
AFM. When a statement identical to that in figure 1 to paragraph (g) 
of this AD has been included in the After Start Normal Procedures 
section of the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions 
may be inserted into the AFM, and this AD or Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 Temporary Revision TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to 
the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 AFM, may be removed from the AFM.
    (2) Inserting a copy of AD 2015-22-06 into the applicable AFM is 
acceptable for compliance with the requirement of paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD. When a statement identical to that in figure 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD has been included in the After Start Normal 
Procedures section of the general revisions of the AFM, the general 
revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and AD 2015-22-06 may be 
removed from the AFM.

      Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--AFM Temporary Revision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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AFTER START NORMAL PROCEDURE
After both engines start:
Turn OFF then ON SEC 1 and SEC 2 one after the other.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airbus Operations 
Engineering Bulletin OEB-50 provides additional information on the 
subject addressed by this AD.

(h) Retained Parts Installation Limitation, With No Change

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2015-22-06, with no change. For all airplanes: As of November 20, 
2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-22-06), do not install SEC 
hardware C P/N B372CAM0100 with software standard 122 (P/N 
B372CAM0101), 124 (P/N B372CAM0102), or 125 (P/N B372CAM0103), on 
SEC position 1 or 2, or both, on any airplane, unless the AFM of the 
airplane is revised concurrently with that installation, as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) New Requirement of This AD: Replacement of Software

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, comply with 
the actions in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For an airplane that has received Airbus modification 39429 
(installation of SEC hardware C P/N B372CAM0100) in production: 
Install SEC software standard 126, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, 
Revision 01, dated February 18, 2016.
    (2) For an airplane that has not received Airbus modification 
39429 in production: Inspect to determine whether an affected SEC 
software standard is installed. Do the inspection in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1257, Revision 01, dated January 1, 2017, except as required by 
paragraph (n) of this AD. A review of airplane maintenance records 
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the 
SEC C can be conclusively determined from that review. If an 
affected SEC software standard is found installed, replace the 
affected software standard using an installation 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).

(j) New Requirement of This AD: Compliance for Airplanes Having Airbus 
Modification 161208 Embodied in Production

    An airplane on which Airbus modification 161208 has been 
embodied in production is compliant with the requirements of 
paragraph (i) of this AD, provided it is determined that no affected 
SEC software standard, as identified in paragraph (g) of this AD, is 
installed on that airplane.

(k) New Requirement of This AD: Disposition of AFM After Airplane 
Modification

    After modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (i) 
of this AD, remove the information specified in Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 AFM from the AFM of that airplane.

(l) New Requirement of This AD: Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane an affected SEC software standard, or a SEC hardware C 
hosting an affected SEC software standard.

(m) New Provision of This AD: Installation of Equivalent Software and 
Hardware

    Installation on an airplane of a SEC software standard, or of a 
SEC hardware standard, approved after April 1, 2016 (the effective 
date of EASA AD 2016-0056), is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD for that airplane, provided 
the conditions specified in paragraphs (m)(1) and (m)(2) of this AD 
are met.
    (1) The software and hardware standard, as applicable, is 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA.
    (2) Replacement of the affected software standard is done using 
an installation method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA.

[[Page 39351]]

(n) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Subtask 271257-832-006-001 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1257, Revision 01, dated January 1, 2017, includes incorrect 
instructions. This AD requires that those instructions be followed 
as specified in paragraphs (n)(1) and (n)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Subtask 271257-832-006-001, instruction ``(b)'': If SEC 
C 126 software P/N B372CAM0104 is found, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (2) For Subtask 271257-832-006-001, instruction ``(c)'': If SEC 
C 122 software P/N B372CAM0101, SEC C 124 software P/N B372CAM0102, 
or SEC C 125 software P/N B372CAM0103 is found, do corrective 
actions using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA.

(o) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the applicable service information 
specified in paragraph (o)(1) or (o)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have received Airbus modification 39429 
(installation of SEC hardware C P/N B372CAM0100) in production: 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, dated November 6, 2015.
    (2) For airplanes that have not received Airbus modification 
39429 in production: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, dated 
December 18, 2015.

(p) 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 the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (r)(2) 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 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 EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (n) of this AD: 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.

(q) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(r) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0056, dated March 18, 2016, 
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-2016-9508.
    (2) For more information about this AD, 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.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (s)(5) and (s)(6) of this AD.

(s) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
September 22, 2017.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, Revision 01, dated 
February 18, 2016.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, Revision 01, dated 
January 1, 2017.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 20, 2015 (80 FR 68429, November 5, 2015).
    (i) Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Temporary Revision TR572, Issue 
1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airplane Flight Manual.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) 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. 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 29, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14471 Filed 8-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P