83 FR 25595 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 107 (June 4, 2018)

Page Range		25595-25598
FR Document		2018-11700

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A330-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of Angle of Attack (AOA) blockages not detected by upgraded flight control primary computer (FCPC) software standards. This proposed AD would require upgrading certain FCPCs, which would terminate a certain airplane flight manual revision for certain airplanes. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25595-25598]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11700]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0498; Product Identifier 2018-NM-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Airbus Model
A330-200 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A330-300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of Angle of Attack (AOA)
blockages not detected by upgraded flight control primary computer
(FCPC) software standards. This proposed AD would require upgrading
certain FCPCs, which would terminate a certain airplane flight manual
revision for certain airplanes. We are proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 19, 2018.

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 http://www.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.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45
80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
231-3195.

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-2018-
0498; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229.

[[Page 25596]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite 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-2018-0498;
Product Identifier 2018-NM-013-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2017-0246R1, dated April 6, 2018 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model
A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Airbus Model A330-200 series
airplanes; and Airbus Model A330-300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

In 2015, occurrences were reported of multiple Angle of Attack
(AOA) blockages. Investigation results indicated the need for AOA
monitoring in order to better detect cases of AOA blockage.
This condition, if not corrected, could, under specific
circumstances, lead to undue activation of the Alpha protection,
possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus developed new
FCPC software standards for enhanced AOA monitoring and,
consequently, EASA issued AD 2015-0124 (later revised) [related FAA
AD 2016-25-30, Amendment 39-18756, (82 FR 1175, January 5, 2017)
(``AD 2016-25-30'')] to require these software standard upgrades.
Since EASA AD 2015-0124R3 was issued, it was identified that,
for some cases, AOA blockages were not detected by those FCPC
software standards. Consequently, new FCPC software standards, as
specified in Table 1 of this [EASA] AD, have been developed (Airbus
modification (mod) 206412, mod 206413 and mod 206414) to further
improve the detection of AOA blockage. Airbus issued Service
Bulletin (SB) A330-27-3222 and SB A330-27-3223 to implement these
mods on in-service aeroplanes. Consequently, EASA issued AD 2017-
0246 to require a software standard upgrade of the three FCPCs,
either by modification or replacement.
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it was determined that the
Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Emergency Procedure, as previously
required by EASA AD 2014-0267-E [related to FAA AD 2014-25-52,
Amendment 39-18066,(80 FR 3161, January 22, 2015) (``AD 2014-25-
52'')] can also be removed for other AOA sensors and FCPC
configurations. This [EASA] AD revises paragraph (2) accordingly,
also introducing Table 2 for that purpose.

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-2018-
0498.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Airbus has issued the following service information:
Service Bulletin A330-27-3222, dated February 16, 2017.
Service Bulletin A330-27-3223, dated June 6, 2017.
This service information describes procedures for upgrading (by
modification or replacement, as applicable) certain FCPCs. These
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplanes in
different configurations. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.

Related Rulemaking

AD 2014-25-52 applies to all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200,
and -300 series airplanes and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600
series airplanes. AD 2014-25-52 requires revising the airplane flight
manual to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for abnormal
Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot). For certain airplanes, accomplishing the
actions specified in paragraph (h) of this proposed AD would terminate
the AFM requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2014-25-52.
AD 2016-25-30 applies to all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter,
and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600
series airplanes. AD 2016-25-30 requires new FCPC software standards.
For certain airplanes, accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph
(h) of this proposed AD would terminate the requirements of paragraph
(g) of AD 2016-25-30.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 103 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification/replacement........... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $255 $26,265
= $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, we have included all known costs in
our cost estimate.

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

[[Page 25597]]

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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
Division.

Regulatory Findings

We 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:
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.

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 (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2018-0498; Product Identifier 2018-NM-013-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by July 19, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD affects AD 2014-25-52, Amendment 39-18066 (80 FR 3161,
January 22, 2015) (``AD 2014-25-52'') and AD 2016-25-30, Amendment
39-18756, (82 FR 1175, January 5, 2017) (``AD 2016-25-30'').

This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category,
identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD; all
manufacturer serial numbers; equipped with flight control primary
computers (FCPCs) having software standard P13/M22 (hardware 2K2),
P14/M23 (hardware 2K1) or M23 (hardware 2K0), or earlier standard.
(1) Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes.

Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: The software standards
specified in paragraph (c) of this AD correspond, respectively, to
part number (P/N) LA2K2B100DG0000, P/N LA2K1A100DF0000 and P/N
LA2K01500AF0000. All affected airplanes should be equipped with this
software, as required by AD 2016-25-30.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of Angle of Attack (AOA)
blockages not detected by upgraded FCPC software standards. We are
issuing this AD to prevent Alpha protection activation due to
blocked AOA probes, which could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definition of Groups

Group 1 airplanes are those in pre-mod 206412, pre-mod 206413,
or pre-mod 206414 configuration, as applicable. Group 2 airplanes
are those in post-mod (206412, 206413, or 206414, as applicable)
configuration.

(h) Upgrade Flight Control Primary Computer Software

For Group 1 airplanes: Within 12 months after the effective date
of this AD: Upgrade (by modification or replacement, as applicable)
the three FCPCs, as specified in table 1 to paragraphs (h) and (k)
of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
the applicable service information specified in table 1 to
paragraphs (h) and (k) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04JN18.000

[[Page 25598]]

(i) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2014-25-52

For airplanes with an AOA configuration as identified in figure
1 to paragraph (i) of this AD, or as identified in paragraph (m)(2)
of AD 2016-12-15, Amendment 39-18564 (81 FR 40160, June 21, 2016)
(``AD 2016-12-15''), as applicable: Accomplishing the upgrade
required by paragraph (h) of this AD terminates the requirements of
paragraph (g) of AD 2014-25-52, and the airplane flight manual (AFM)
procedure required by paragraph (g) of AD 2014-25-52 may be removed
from the AFM.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04JN18.001

(j) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2016-25-30

Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (h) of this
AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2016-25-30 for
that airplane.

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition

Installation of any software or hardware of a version earlier
than the one listed in table 1 to paragraphs (h) and (k) of this AD
is prohibited, as required by paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this
AD, as applicable.
(1) For Group 1 airplanes: After modification of an airplane as
required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
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.
(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
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA); or 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.

(m) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0246R1, dated April 6,
2018, 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-2018-0498.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206-231-3229.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96;
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com;
internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 23, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11700 Filed 6-1-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Proposed Rules 25595

airplane serial number, and the number of Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter series
flight cycles and flight hours on the airplane. Collection Clearance Officer, AES–200. airplanes; Airbus Model A330–200
(1) If the inspection was done on or after (4) Required for Compliance (RC): Except series airplanes; and Airbus Model
the effective date of this AD: Submit the as required by paragraph (m) of this AD: If
any service information contains procedures
A330–300 series airplanes. This
report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the or tests that are identified as RC, those proposed AD was prompted by reports
effective date of this AD: Submit the report procedures and tests must be done to comply of Angle of Attack (AOA) blockages not
within 30 days after the effective date of this with this AD; any procedures or tests that are detected by upgraded flight control
AD. not identified as RC are recommended. Those primary computer (FCPC) software
procedures and tests that are not identified standards. This proposed AD would
(o) Terminating Action for AD 2014–20–18 as RC may be deviated from using accepted require upgrading certain FCPCs, which
Accomplishment of the action required by methods in accordance with the operator’s would terminate a certain airplane flight
paragraph (h) of this AD and the initial maintenance or inspection program without
inspections required by paragraphs (i) and (j), obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided
manual revision for certain airplanes.
and (k) of this AD terminates all the procedures and tests identified as RC can We are proposing this AD to address the
requirements of AD 2014–20–18. be done and the airplane can be put back in unsafe condition on these products.
an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or DATES: We must receive comments on
(p) Credit for Previous Actions changes to procedures or tests identified as this proposed AD by July 19, 2018.
This paragraph provides credit for actions RC require approval of an AMOC. ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, if those
actions were performed before December 19, (r) Related Information using the procedures found in 14 CFR
2005 (the effective date of AD 2005–23–08), (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
using Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–6050, Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD methods:
Revision 02, dated February 10, 2000. 2017–0210, dated October 24, 2017, for • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
related information. This MCAI may be http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
(q) Other FAA AD Provisions found in the AD docket on the internet at instructions for submitting comments.
The following provisions also apply to this http://www.regulations.gov by searching for • Fax: 202–493–2251.
AD: and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0497. • Mail: U.S. Department of
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (2) For more information about this AD, Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
(AMOCs): The Manager, International contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
AD, if requested using the procedures found Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206– Washington, DC 20590.
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 231–3225. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
39.19, send your request to your principal (3) For service information identified in address above between 9 a.m. and 5
inspector or local Flight Standards District this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Office, as appropriate. If sending information Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice Federal holidays.
directly to the International Section, send it Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; For service information identified in
to the attention of the person identified in telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 this NPRM, contact Airbus SAS,
paragraph (r)(2) of this AD. Information may 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@
airbus.com; internet http://www.airbus.com.
Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond
be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-
You may view this service information at the Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
principal inspector, or lacking a principal South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email
inspector, the manager of the local flight information on the availability of this airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com;
standards district office/certificate holding material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. internet http://www.airbus.com. You
district office. Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May may view this service information at the
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 23, 2018. FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective James Cashdollar, South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
actions from a manufacturer, the action must information on the availability of this
be accomplished using a method approved Acting Director, System Oversight Division,
Aircraft Certification Service. material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
by the Manager, International Section,
Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; [FR Doc. 2018–11822 Filed 6–1–18; 8:45 am] Examining the AD Docket
or Airbus’s EASA DOA. If approved by the BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DOA, the approval must include the DOA- You may examine the AD docket on
authorized signature. the Internet at http://
(3) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION www.regulations.gov by searching for
Statement: A federal agency may not conduct and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
or sponsor, and a person is not required to Federal Aviation Administration 0498; or in person at the Docket
respond to, nor shall a person be subject to Management Facility between 9 a.m.
a penalty for failure to comply with a and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
collection of information subject to the
14 CFR Part 39
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction [Docket No. FAA–2018–0498; Product
Act unless that collection of information
contains this NPRM, the regulatory
Identifier 2018–NM–013–AD]
displays a current valid OMB Control evaluation, any comments received, and
Number. The OMB Control Number for this RIN 2120–AA64 other information. The street address for
information collection is 2120–0056. Public the Docket Operations office (telephone
reporting for this collection of information is Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

estimated to be approximately 1 work-hour Airplanes section. Comments will be available in
per response, including the time for the AD docket shortly after receipt.
reviewing instructions, completing and AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
reviewing the collection of information. All
responses to this collection of information ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
are mandatory. Comments concerning the (NPRM). International Section, Transport
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
reducing the burden should be directed to SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, airworthiness directive (AD) for certain telephone and fax 206–231–3229.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Jun 01, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\04JNP1.SGM 04JNP1

25596 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Proposed Rules

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (later revised) [related FAA AD 2016–25–30, FAA’s Determination and Requirements
Amendment 39–18756, (82 FR 1175, January of This Proposed AD
Comments Invited 5, 2017) (‘‘AD 2016–25–30’’)] to require these
We invite you to send any written software standard upgrades. This product has been approved by
relevant data, views, or arguments about Since EASA AD 2015–0124R3 was issued, the aviation authority of another
it was identified that, for some cases, AOA
this proposal. Send your comments to blockages were not detected by those FCPC
country, and is approved for operation
an address listed under the ADDRESSES software standards. Consequently, new FCPC in the United States. Pursuant to our
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– software standards, as specified in Table 1 of bilateral agreement with the State of
2018–0498; Product Identifier 2018– this [EASA] AD, have been developed Design Authority, we have been notified
NM–013–AD’’ at the beginning of your (Airbus modification (mod) 206412, mod of the unsafe condition described in the
comments. We specifically invite 206413 and mod 206414) to further improve MCAI and service information
comments on the overall regulatory, the detection of AOA blockage. Airbus issued referenced above. We are proposing this
Service Bulletin (SB) A330–27–3222 and SB
economic, environmental, and energy AD because we evaluated all pertinent
A330–27–3223 to implement these mods on
aspects of this NPRM. We will consider in-service aeroplanes. Consequently, EASA information and determined an unsafe
all comments received by the closing issued AD 2017–0246 to require a software condition exists and is likely to exist or
date and may amend this NPRM based standard upgrade of the three FCPCs, either develop on other products of the same
on those comments. by modification or replacement. type design.
We will post all comments we Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it was
receive, without change, to http:// determined that the Aircraft Flight Manual Related Rulemaking
www.regulations.gov, including any (AFM) Emergency Procedure, as previously
required by EASA AD 2014–0267–E [related AD 2014–25–52 applies to all Airbus
personal information you provide. We
to FAA AD 2014–25–52, Amendment 39– Model A330–200 Freighter, –200, and
will also post a report summarizing each 18066,(80 FR 3161, January 22, 2015) (‘‘AD –300 series airplanes and Model A340–
substantive verbal contact we receive 2014–25–52’’)] can also be removed for other 200, –300, –500, and –600 series
about this NPRM. AOA sensors and FCPC configurations. This
airplanes. AD 2014–25–52 requires
[EASA] AD revises paragraph (2) accordingly,
Discussion also introducing Table 2 for that purpose. revising the airplane flight manual to
The European Aviation Safety Agency advise the flightcrew of emergency
You may examine the MCAI in the procedures for abnormal Alpha
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent AD docket on the internet at http://
for the Member States of the European Protection (Alpha Prot). For certain
www.regulations.gov by searching for airplanes, accomplishing the actions
Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
Directive 2017–0246R1, dated April 6, specified in paragraph (h) of this
0498. proposed AD would terminate the AFM
2018 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Related Service Information Under 1 requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct CFR Part 51 2014–25–52.
an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Airbus has issued the following AD 2016–25–30 applies to all Airbus
Model A330–200 Freighter series service information: Model A330–200, –200 Freighter, and
airplanes; Airbus Model A330–200 • Service Bulletin A330–27–3222, –300 series airplanes; and Model A340–
series airplanes; and Airbus Model dated February 16, 2017. 200, –300, –500, and –600 series
A330–300 series airplanes. The MCAI • Service Bulletin A330–27–3223, airplanes. AD 2016–25–30 requires new
states: dated June 6, 2017. FCPC software standards. For certain
In 2015, occurrences were reported of
This service information describes airplanes, accomplishing the actions
multiple Angle of Attack (AOA) blockages. procedures for upgrading (by specified in paragraph (h) of this
Investigation results indicated the need for modification or replacement, as proposed AD would terminate the
AOA monitoring in order to better detect applicable) certain FCPCs. These requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
cases of AOA blockage. documents are distinct since they apply 2016–25–30.
This condition, if not corrected, could, to different airplanes in different
under specific circumstances, lead to undue configurations. This service information Costs of Compliance
activation of the Alpha protection, possibly is reasonably available because the
resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane. We estimate that this proposed AD
To address this potential unsafe condition, interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business affects 103 airplanes of U.S. registry.
Airbus developed new FCPC software
standards for enhanced AOA monitoring and, or by the means identified in the We estimate the following costs to
consequently, EASA issued AD 2015–0124 ADDRESSES section. comply with this proposed AD:

ESTIMATED COSTS
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators

Modification/replacement ........ 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ..................................... $0 $255 $26,265
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

According to the manufacturer, some Authority for This Rulemaking detail the scope of the Agency’s
or all of the costs of this proposed AD authority.
may be covered under warranty, thereby Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue We are issuing this rulemaking under
reducing the cost impact on affected the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,
individuals. We do not control warranty rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
coverage for affected individuals. As a section 106, describes the authority of
General requirements.’’ Under that
result, we have included all known the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
section, Congress charges the FAA with
costs in our cost estimate. Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in

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Document Created: 2018-06-02 00:47:41
Document Modified: 2018-06-02 00:47:41

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Dates		We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 19, 2018.
Contact		Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229.
FR Citation		83 FR 25595
RIN Number		2120-AA64
CFR Associated		Air Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

83 FR 25595 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 107 (June 4, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration