83_FR_26996 83 FR 26884 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

83 FR 26884 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 112 (June 11, 2018)

Page Range26884-26887
FR Document2018-12233

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26884-26887]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12233]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0508; Product Identifier 2018-NM-012-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 A350-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted 
by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require 
revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 26, 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

[[Page 26885]]

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 continued-airworthiness.a350@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-
0508; 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: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.

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-2018-0508; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-012-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 AD 
2018-0004, dated January 9, 2018 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) for the Airbus 
A350, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and 
published in the Airbus A350 ALS Part 3 document. These instructions 
have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition [which is safety-significant latent failures that 
would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or 
events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition].
    EASA previously issued [EASA] AD 2017-0029 to require the 
actions as specified in Airbus A350 ALS Part 3 Revision 03.
    Since this [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus published Revision 04 of 
Airbus A350 ALS Part 3, to introduce new and more restrictive CMRs.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2017-0029, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS.

    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-
0508.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued A350 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 04, dated 
December 15, 2017. The service information describes mandatory 
maintenance tasks that operators must perform at specified intervals. 
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.
    This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with 
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have 
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed 
by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the 
actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 
14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative 
method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this proposed AD. 
The request should include a description of changes to the required 
inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the 
airplane.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI specifies that if there are findings from the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) inspection tasks, corrective 
actions must be accomplished in accordance with Airbus maintenance 
documentation. However, this proposed AD does not include that 
requirement. Operators of U.S.-registered airplanes are required by 
general airworthiness and operational regulations to perform 
maintenance using methods that are acceptable to the FAA. We consider 
those methods to be adequate to address any corrective actions 
necessitated by the findings of ALS inspections required by this 
proposed AD.

Airworthiness Limitations Based on Type Design

    The FAA recently became aware of an issue related to the 
applicability of ADs that require incorporation of an ALS revision into 
an operator's maintenance or inspection program.
    Typically, when these types of ADs are issued by civil aviation 
authorities of other countries, they apply to all airplanes covered 
under an identified type certificate (TC). The corresponding FAA AD 
typically retains applicability to all of those airplanes.
    In addition, U.S. operators must operate their airplanes in an 
airworthy condition, in accordance with 14 CFR 91.7(a). Included in 
this obligation is the requirement to perform any maintenance or 
inspections specified in the ALS, and in accordance with the ALS as 
specified in 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c), unless an alternative has been 
approved by the FAA.
    When a type certificate is issued for a type design, the specific 
ALS, including revisions, is a part of that type design, as specified 
in 14 CFR 21.31(c).
    The sum effect of these operational and maintenance requirements is 
an obligation to comply with the ALS

[[Page 26886]]

defined in the type design referenced in the manufacturer's conformity 
statement. This obligation may introduce a conflict with an AD that 
requires a specific ALS revision if new airplanes are delivered with a 
later revision as part of their type design.
    To address this conflict, the FAA has approved alternative methods 
of compliance (AMOCs) that allow operators to incorporate the most 
recent ALS revision into their maintenance/inspection programs, in lieu 
of the ALS revision required by the AD. This eliminates the conflict 
and enables the operator to comply with both the AD and the type 
design.
    However, compliance with AMOCs is normally optional, and we 
recently became aware that some operators choose to retain the AD-
mandated ALS revision in their fleet-wide maintenance/inspection 
programs, including those for new airplanes delivered with later ALS 
revisions, to help standardize the maintenance of the fleet. To ensure 
that operators comply with the applicable ALS revision for newly 
delivered airplanes containing a later revision than that specified in 
an AD, we plan to limit the applicability of ADs that mandate ALS 
revisions to those airplanes that are subject to an earlier revision of 
the ALS, either as part of the type design or as mandated by an earlier 
AD.
    This proposed AD therefore applies to all Airbus Model A350-941 
airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or original 
export certificate of airworthiness that was issued on or before the 
date of approval of the ALS revision identified in this proposed AD. 
Operators of airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after that date 
must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this 
figure may vary from operator to operator. In the past, we have 
estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since 
operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for 
their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-operator 
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, we 
estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 
per work-hour).

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.
    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-2018-0508; Product Identifier 2018-NM-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 26, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, with an original certificate of airworthiness or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before 
December 15, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to address safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A350 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 04, dated 
December 15, 2017. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the 
actions is at the applicable times specified in Airbus A350 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Revision 04, dated December 15, 
2017; or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD; 
whichever occurs later.

[[Page 26887]]

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals, may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) 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 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(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 Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0004, dated January 9, 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-2018-0508.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3218.
    (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 continued-airworthiness.a350@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 31, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12233 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

26884 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules § 39.13 [Amended] Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus (3) For service information identified in ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding Service Bulletin A350–55–P003, dated this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness the following new airworthiness November 6, 2017. Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, (i) Apply sealant and protective treatment 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 directive (AD): on the affected areas of the horizontal 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2018–0506; Product stabilizer, as defined in Airbus Service continued-airworthiness.a350@airbus.com; Identifier 2018–NM–045–AD. Bulletin A350–55–P003, dated November 6, internet http://www.airbus.com. You may 2017. view this service information at the FAA, (a) Comments Due Date (ii) Modify the trimmable horizontal Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South We must receive comments by July 26, stabilizer (THS) torsion box in zone 330 and 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information 2018. 340, and re-identify the elevator in zone 335 on the availability of this material at the and 345. FAA, call 206–231–3195. (b) Affected ADs (i) Other FAA AD Provisions Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May None. 25, 2018. The following provisions also apply to this (c) Applicability AD: Jeffrey E. Duven, This AD applies to Airbus Model A350– (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft 941 airplanes certificated in any category, all (AMOCs): The Manager, International Certification Service. manufacturer serial numbers, except those on Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, [FR Doc. 2018–12229 Filed 6–8–18; 8:45 am] which Airbus Modification 106695 (or has the authority to approve AMOCs for this BILLING CODE 4910–13–P retrofit Modification 110281) and AD, if requested using the procedures found Modification 107824 (or retrofit Modification in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 107877 and retrofit Modification 108494) 39.19, send your request to your principal have been embodied in production. inspector or local Flight Standards District DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office, as appropriate. If sending information (d) Subject Federal Aviation Administration directly to the International Section, send it Air Transport Association (ATA) of to the attention of the person identified in America Code 53, Fuselage; 55, Stabilizers. paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may 14 CFR Part 39 (e) Reason be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC- [Docket No. FAA–2018–0508; Product REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any This AD was prompted by the discovery of Identifier 2018–NM–012–AD] approved AMOC, notify your appropriate inadequate corrosion protection in certain principal inspector, or lacking a principal RIN 2120–AA64 areas of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear inspector, the manager of the local flight fuselage cone structure. We are issuing this standards district office/certificate holding Airworthiness Directives; Airbus AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of district office. Airplanes the horizontal stabilizer and the rear fuselage (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any cone structure. requirement in this AD to obtain corrective AGENCY: Federal Aviation (f) Compliance actions from a manufacturer, the action must Administration (FAA), DOT. be accomplished using a method approved ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking Comply with this AD within the by the Manager, International Section, compliance times specified, unless already (NPRM). Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the done. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new (g) Definitions Airbus’s EASA Design Organization airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, Airbus Model A350–941 airplanes. This (1) For the purpose of this AD, Group 1 the approval must include the DOA- airplanes are those with manufacturer serial authorized signature. proposed AD was prompted by a numbers (MSNs) listed in Section 1.A., (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any determination that more restrictive ‘‘Applicability’’ of Airbus Service Bulletin service information contains procedures or maintenance requirements and A350–53–P029, dated November 17, 2017. tests that are identified as RC, those airworthiness limitations are necessary. (2) For the purpose of this AD, Group 2 procedures and tests must be done to comply This proposed AD would require airplanes are those with MSNs listed in with this AD; any procedures or tests that are revising the maintenance or inspection Section 1.A., ‘‘Applicability’’ of Airbus not identified as RC are recommended. Those program, as applicable, to incorporate Service Bulletin A350–55–P003, dated procedures and tests that are not identified November 6, 2017. new or more restrictive maintenance as RC may be deviated from using accepted requirements and airworthiness (h) Modification methods in accordance with the operator’s maintenance or inspection program without limitations. We are proposing this AD to (1) For Group 1 airplanes: Before exceeding obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided address the unsafe condition on these 36 months since the date of issuance of the the procedures and tests identified as RC can products. original standard airworthiness certificate or be done and the airplane can be put back in DATES: We must receive comments on date of issuance of the original export an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days this proposed AD by July 26, 2018. changes to procedures or tests identified as after the effective date of this AD, whichever RC require approval of an AMOC. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, occurs later, apply sealant and protective using the procedures found in 14 CFR treatment on the affected areas of the rear (j) Related Information 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following fuselage cone structure, as defined in, and in (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing methods: accordance with the Accomplishment Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A350– 2018–0036, dated February 7, 2018, for http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 53–P029, dated November 17, 2017. related information. This MCAI may be instructions for submitting comments. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS (2) For Group 2 airplanes: Before exceeding found in the AD docket on the internet at • Fax: 202–493–2251. 36 months since the date of issuance of the http://www.regulations.gov by searching for • Mail: U.S. Department of original standard airworthiness certificate or and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0506. date of issuance of the original export (2) For more information about this AD, Transportation, Docket Operations, M– certificate of airworthiness, or within 90 days contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room after the effective date of this AD, whichever Engineer, International Section, Transport W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, occurs later, accomplish concurrently the Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Washington, DC 20590. actions specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, in accordance with the fax 206–231–3218. address above between 9 a.m. and 5 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jun 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11JNP1.SGM 11JNP1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules 26885 p.m., Monday through Friday, except dated January 9, 2018 (referred to after include new actions (e.g., inspections). Federal holidays. this as the Mandatory Continuing Compliance with these actions is For service information identified in Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For this NPRM, contact Airbus SAS, MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition airplanes that have been previously Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond for all Airbus Model A350–941 modified, altered, or repaired in the Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac airplanes. The MCAI states: areas addressed by this proposed AD, Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 Certification Maintenance Requirements the operator may not be able to 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email (CMR) for the Airbus A350, which are accomplish the actions described in the continued-airworthiness.a350@ approved by EASA, are currently defined and revisions. In this situation, to comply airbus.com; internet http:// published in the Airbus A350 ALS Part 3 with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator www.airbus.com. You may view this document. These instructions have been must request approval for an alternative service information at the FAA, identified as mandatory for continued method of compliance according to Transport Standards Branch, 2200 airworthiness. paragraph (i) of this proposed AD. The South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition [which is request should include a description of information on the availability of this safety-significant latent failures that would, changes to the required inspections that material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. in combination with one or more other will ensure the continued operational Examining the AD Docket specific failures or events, result in a safety of the airplane. hazardous or catastrophic failure condition]. You may examine the AD docket on EASA previously issued [EASA] AD 2017– Differences Between This Proposed AD the internet at http:// 0029 to require the actions as specified in and the MCAI www.regulations.gov by searching for Airbus A350 ALS Part 3 Revision 03. The MCAI specifies that if there are and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– Since this [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus findings from the airworthiness 0508; or in person at the Docket published Revision 04 of Airbus A350 ALS Part 3, to introduce new and more restrictive limitations section (ALS) inspection Management Facility between 9 a.m. CMRs. tasks, corrective actions must be and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, For the reason described above, this accomplished in accordance with except Federal holidays. The AD docket [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA Airbus maintenance documentation. contains this NPRM, the regulatory AD 2017–0029, which is superseded, and However, this proposed AD does not evaluation, any comments received, and requires accomplishment of the actions include that requirement. Operators of other information. The street address for specified in the ALS. U.S.-registered airplanes are required by the Docket Operations office (telephone You may examine the MCAI in the general airworthiness and operational 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES AD docket on the internet at http:// regulations to perform maintenance section. Comments will be available in www.regulations.gov by searching for using methods that are acceptable to the the AD docket shortly after receipt. and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– FAA. We consider those methods to be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 0508. adequate to address any corrective Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, actions necessitated by the findings of International Section, Transport Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 ALS inspections required by this Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South proposed AD. 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; Airbus has issued A350 telephone and fax 206–231–3218. Airworthiness Limitations Section Airworthiness Limitations Based on (ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance Type Design SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requirements (CMR), Revision 04, dated The FAA recently became aware of an Comments Invited December 15, 2017. The service issue related to the applicability of ADs We invite you to send any written information describes mandatory that require incorporation of an ALS relevant data, views, or arguments about maintenance tasks that operators must revision into an operator’s maintenance this proposal. Send your comments to perform at specified intervals. This or inspection program. an address listed under the ADDRESSES service information is reasonably Typically, when these types of ADs section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– available because the interested parties are issued by civil aviation authorities 2018–0508; Product Identifier 2018– have access to it through their normal of other countries, they apply to all NM–012–AD’’ at the beginning of your course of business or by the means airplanes covered under an identified comments. We specifically invite identified in the ADDRESSES section. type certificate (TC). The corresponding comments on the overall regulatory, FAA AD typically retains applicability FAA’s Determination and Requirements economic, environmental, and energy to all of those airplanes. of This Proposed AD In addition, U.S. operators must aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing This product has been approved by operate their airplanes in an airworthy date and may amend this NPRM based the aviation authority of another condition, in accordance with 14 CFR on those comments. country, and is approved for operation 91.7(a). Included in this obligation is the We will post all comments we in the United States. Pursuant to our requirement to perform any receive, without change, to http:// bilateral agreement with the State of maintenance or inspections specified in www.regulations.gov, including any Design Authority, we have been notified the ALS, and in accordance with the personal information you provide. We of the unsafe condition described in the ALS as specified in 14 CFR 43.16 and will also post a report summarizing each MCAI and service information 91.403(c), unless an alternative has been daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS substantive verbal contact we receive referenced above. We are proposing this approved by the FAA. about this NPRM. AD because we evaluated all pertinent When a type certificate is issued for information and determined an unsafe a type design, the specific ALS, Discussion condition exists and is likely to exist or including revisions, is a part of that type The European Aviation Safety Agency develop on other products of the same design, as specified in 14 CFR 21.31(c). (EASA), which is the Technical Agent type design. The sum effect of these operational for the Member States of the European This AD requires revisions to certain and maintenance requirements is an Union, has issued EASA AD 2018–0004, operator maintenance documents to obligation to comply with the ALS VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jun 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11JNP1.SGM 11JNP1

26886 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules defined in the type design referenced in accurate than a per-airplane estimate. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 the manufacturer’s conformity Therefore, we estimate the total cost per Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation statement. This obligation may operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × safety, Incorporation by reference, introduce a conflict with an AD that $85 per work-hour). Safety. requires a specific ALS revision if new Authority for This Rulemaking The Proposed Amendment airplanes are delivered with a later revision as part of their type design. Title 49 of the United States Code Accordingly, under the authority To address this conflict, the FAA has specifies the FAA’s authority to issue delegated to me by the Administrator, approved alternative methods of rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part compliance (AMOCs) that allow section 106, describes the authority of 39 as follows: operators to incorporate the most recent the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: ALS revision into their maintenance/ Aviation Programs, describes in more PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS inspection programs, in lieu of the ALS detail the scope of the Agency’s DIRECTIVES revision required by the AD. This authority. eliminates the conflict and enables the We are issuing this rulemaking under ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 operator to comply with both the AD the authority described in Subtitle VII, continues to read as follows: and the type design. Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. However, compliance with AMOCs is ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that normally optional, and we recently § 39.13 [Amended] section, Congress charges the FAA with became aware that some operators promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding choose to retain the AD-mandated ALS air commerce by prescribing regulations the following new airworthiness revision in their fleet-wide for practices, methods, and procedures directive (AD): maintenance/inspection programs, the Administrator finds necessary for Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2018–0508; Product including those for new airplanes safety in air commerce. This regulation Identifier 2018–NM–012–AD. delivered with later ALS revisions, to is within the scope of that authority (a) Comments Due Date help standardize the maintenance of the because it addresses an unsafe condition fleet. To ensure that operators comply We must receive comments by July 26, that is likely to exist or develop on 2018. with the applicable ALS revision for products identified in this rulemaking newly delivered airplanes containing a action. (b) Affected ADs later revision than that specified in an This proposed AD is issued in None. AD, we plan to limit the applicability of accordance with authority delegated by (c) Applicability ADs that mandate ALS revisions to the Executive Director, Aircraft those airplanes that are subject to an This AD applies to Airbus Model A350– Certification Service, as authorized by 941 airplanes, certificated in any category, earlier revision of the ALS, either as part FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with an original certificate of airworthiness of the type design or as mandated by an with that order, issuance of ADs is or original export certificate of airworthiness earlier AD. normally a function of the Compliance issued on or before December 15, 2017. This proposed AD therefore applies to and Airworthiness Division, but during (d) Subject all Airbus Model A350–941 airplanes this transition period, the Executive Air Transport Association (ATA) of with an original certificate of Director has delegated the authority to America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance airworthiness or original export issue ADs applicable to transport Checks. certificate of airworthiness that was category airplanes to the Director of the issued on or before the date of approval (e) Reason System Oversight Division. of the ALS revision identified in this This AD was prompted by a determination proposed AD. Operators of airplanes Regulatory Findings that more restrictive maintenance with an original certificate of requirements and airworthiness limitations We determined that this proposed AD are necessary. We are issuing this AD to airworthiness or original export would not have federalism implications certificate of airworthiness issued after address safety-significant latent failures that under Executive Order 13132. This would, in combination with one or more that date must comply with the proposed AD would not have a other specific failures or events, result in a airworthiness limitations specified as substantial direct effect on the States, on hazardous or catastrophic failure condition. part of the approved type design and the relationship between the national referenced on the type certificate data (f) Compliance Government and the States, or on the Comply with this AD within the sheet. distribution of power and compliance times specified, unless already Costs of Compliance responsibilities among the various done. We estimate that this proposed AD levels of government. (g) Maintenance or Inspection Program affects 6 airplanes of U.S. registry. For the reasons discussed above, I Revision We estimate the following costs to certify this proposed regulation: Within 90 days after the effective date of comply with this proposed AD: 1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection We have determined that revising the action’’ under Executive Order 12866; program, as applicable, to incorporate Airbus maintenance or inspection program 2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the A350 Airworthiness Limitations Section takes an average of 90 work-hours per DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (ALS) Part 3, Certification Maintenance daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS operator, although this figure may vary (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); Requirements (CMR), Revision 04, dated from operator to operator. In the past, 3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in December 15, 2017. The initial compliance we have estimated that this action takes Alaska; and time for accomplishing the actions is at the applicable times specified in Airbus A350 1 work-hour per airplane. Since 4. Will not have a significant Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part operators incorporate maintenance or economic impact, positive or negative, 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements inspection program changes for their on a substantial number of small entities (CMR), Revision 04, dated December 15, affected fleet(s), we have determined under the criteria of the Regulatory 2017; or within 90 days after the effective that a per-operator estimate is more Flexibility Act. date of this AD; whichever occurs later. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jun 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11JNP1.SGM 11JNP1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Proposed Rules 26887 (h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May Engines, 400 Main Street, East Hartford, After the maintenance or inspection 31, 2018. CT 06118; phone: 800–565–0140; email: program has been revised as required by Michael Kaszycki, help24@pw.utc.com; internet: http:// paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative Acting Director, System Oversight Division, fleetcare.pw.utc.com. You may view this actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, may be Aircraft Certification Service. service information at the FAA, Engine used unless the actions or intervals are [FR Doc. 2018–12233 Filed 6–8–18; 8:45 am] and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 approved as an alternative method of BILLING CODE 4910–13–P District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the For information on the availability of procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this material at the FAA, call 781–238– this AD. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 7759. (i) Other FAA AD Provisions Federal Aviation Administration Examining the AD Docket The following provisions also apply to this You may examine the AD docket on AD: 14 CFR Part 39 the internet at http:// (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance www.regulations.gov by searching for [Docket No. FAA–2018–0404; Product (AMOCs): The Manager, International Identifier 2018–NE–15–AD] and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 0404; or in person at Docket Operations has the authority to approve AMOCs for this RIN 2120–AA64 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday AD, if requested using the procedures found through Friday, except Federal holidays. in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR Airworthiness Directives; International The AD docket contains this NPRM, the 39.19, send your request to your principal Aero Engines (IAE) Turbofan engines regulatory evaluation, any comments inspector or local Flight Standards District AGENCY: Federal Aviation received, and other information. The Office, as appropriate. If sending information Administration (FAA), DOT. street address for Docket Operations directly to the International Section, send it (phone: 800–647–5527) is listed above. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking to the attention of the person identified in Comments will be available in the AD paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may (NPRM). docket shortly after receipt. be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC- SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any airworthiness directive (AD) for all approved AMOC, notify your appropriate Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, International Aero Engines (IAE) ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District principal inspector, or lacking a principal PW1133G–JM, PW1133GA–JM, inspector, the manager of the local flight Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: PW1130G–JM, PW1127G–JM, 781–238–7088; fax: 781–238–7199; standards district office/certificate holding PW1127GA–JM, PW1127G1–JM, email: kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. district office. PW1124G–JM, PW1124G1–JM, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective PW1122G–JM turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports Comments Invited actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved of in-flight engine shutdowns and We invite you to send any written by the Manager, International Section, aborted take-offs as the result of certain relevant data, views, or arguments about Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the parts affecting the durability of the rear this proposal. Send your comments to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor an address listed under the ADDRESSES Airbus’s EASA Design Organization hub knife edge seal. This proposed AD section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, would require replacing the diffuser 2018–0404; Product Identifier 2018– the approval must include the DOA- case air seal assembly, the high-pressure NE–15–AD’’ at the beginning of your authorized signature. turbine (HPT) 2nd-stage vane assembly, comments. We specifically invite and the HPT 2nd-stage borescope stator comments on the overall regulatory, (j) Related Information vane assembly with parts eligible for economic, environmental, and energy (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing installation. We are proposing this AD aspects of this NPRM. We will consider Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD to address the unsafe condition on these all comments received by the closing 2018–0004, dated January 9, 2018, for related products. date and may amend this NPRM information. This MCAI may be found in the DATES: We must receive comments on because of those comments. AD docket on the internet at http:// this proposed AD by July 26, 2018. We will post all comments we www.regulations.gov by searching for and ADDRESSES: You may send comments, receive, without change, to http:// locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0508. using the procedures found in 14 CFR www.regulations.gov, including any (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following personal information you provide. We Engineer, International Section, Transport methods: will also post a report summarizing each Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to substantive verbal contact we receive St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the about this NPRM. fax 206–231–3218. instructions for submitting comments. Discussion (3) For service information identified in • Fax: 202–493–2251. this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness • Mail: U.S. Department of In-flight engine shutdowns and Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, Transportation, Docket Operations, M– aborted take-offs have occurred on 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room certain IAE turbofan engines as the daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, result of a failed knife edge seal on continued-airworthiness.a350@airbus.com; Washington, DC 20590. engine serial numbers (ESNs) P770450 internet http://www.airbus.com. You may • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail through P770614. In response to these view this service information at the FAA, address above between 9 a.m. and 5 events, the European Aviation Safety Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South p.m., Monday through Friday, except Agency published AD 2018–0041R1, 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information Federal holidays. dated March 23, 2018 (corrected on on the availability of this material at the For service information identified in April 4, 2018). Additionally, the FAA FAA, call 206–231–3195. this NPRM, contact International Aero published AD 2018–04–01 (83 FR 6791, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jun 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\11JNP1.SGM 11JNP1


Document Created: 2018-11-02 11:58:05
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 11:58:05
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
DatesWe must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 26, 2018.
ContactKathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3218.
FR Citation83 FR 26884 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety
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