This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

67677 

Vol. 83, No. 249 

Monday, December 31, 2018 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–1064; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–155–AD; Amendment 

39–19538; AD 2018–26–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and –1041 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of thrust reverser actuators 

(TRAs) jamming. This AD requires 

repetitive greasing of the TRAs, dispatch 

restrictions and maintenance procedure 

revisions. We are issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

January 15, 2019. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 15, 2019. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by February 14, 2019. 

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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) material described in the ‘‘Related 

IBR material under 1 CFR part 51’’ 

section in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, 

contact European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 

3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 89990 1000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

IBR material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may 

view this IBR material 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. 

It is also available in the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov. 

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– 

1064; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(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: 

Discussion 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2018–0234R1, dated November 13, 2018 

(‘‘EASA AD 2018–0234R1’’) (also 

referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for all Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and 

–1041 airplanes. The MCAI states: 

Operators of A350 aeroplanes have 

reported some occurrences of TRA jamming. 

Further investigation results indicated that 

the ball bearings inside the TRA are suffering 

from corrosion due to lack of grease and are 

degrading with time. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to an inadvertent thrust reverser sleeve 

deployment, possibly resulting in reduced 

control or performance of the aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Airbus issued the AOT [Alert Operators 

Transmission A78P001–18 Revision 01] to 

provide instructions for repetitive TRA 

greasing to prevent actuator ball bearings 

degradation, and the MER [Major Event 

Revision] that incorporates temporary 

restrictions of the MMEL [Master Minimum 

Equipment List] items related to thrust 

reverser actuation system. The AOT also 

provides instructions to replace certain 

affected TRA, depending on condition and 

previously applied greasing. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires implementation of 

certain dispatch restrictions. This [EASA] AD 

also requires repetitive greasing of each 

affected TRA and a one-time replacement of 

certain affected TRA, depending on 

condition. 

* * * * * 

This [EASA] AD is still considered to be 

an interim action and further AD action may 

follow. 

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 

51 

EASA AD 2018–0234R1 describes 

procedures for repetitive greasing of the 

TRAs, dispatch restrictions, and 

maintenance procedure revisions, 

among other actions. This material 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 and it is publicly 

available through the EASA website. 

FAA’s Determination 

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 referenced above. We are issuing 

this AD because we evaluated all 

pertinent information and determined 

the unsafe condition exists and is likely 

to exist or develop on other products of 

the same type design. 


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67678 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 249 / Monday, December 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

Requirements of This AD 

This AD requires accomplishing the 

actions specified in EASA AD 2018– 

0234R1 described previously, except as 

discussed under ‘‘Differences Between 

this AD and the MCAI.’’ 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA worked with Airbus 

and EASA to develop a process to use 

certain EASA ADs as the primary source 

of information for compliance with 

requirements for corresponding FAA 

ADs. As a result, EASA AD 2018– 

0234R1 will be incorporated by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This AD 

would, therefore, require compliance 

with the provisions specified in EASA 

AD 2018–0234R1, except for any 

differences identified as exceptions in 

the regulatory text of this AD. Service 

information specified in EASA AD 

2018–0234R1 that is required for 

compliance with EASA AD 2018– 

0234R1 will be available at http://

www.regulations.gov under Docket No. 

FAA–2018–1064 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI 

The MCAI specifies a one-time 

replacement of certain TRAs. We are 

considering requiring this replacement. 

However, the planned compliance time 

for the replacement would allow enough 

time to provide notice and opportunity 

for prior public comment on the merits 

of the replacement. 

The MCAI specifies to revise the 

EASA/Airbus MMEL to change certain 

MMEL items. This AD refers to the 

operator’s minimum equipment list 

(MEL) instead of the FAA MMEL. It is 

unnecessary to reference the MMEL, as 

operators are required in 14 CFR part 91 

to have an MEL to operate with 

inoperable equipment and provisions 

for relief cannot be in an MEL without 

first being part of the MMEL. The intent 

of the provision has not changed. 

In addition, there are differences 

between the EASA/Airbus MMEL and 

the FAA MMEL. The FAA MMEL is 

more restrictive because relief is only 

provided for one engine reverser, 

whereas the EASA/Airbus MMEL 

provides relief for both. Therefore, this 

AD requires incorporating the 

information specified in Figure 1 to 

paragraph (h)(3) of this AD into the 

operator’s MEL. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD without providing an opportunity 

for public comments prior to adoption. 

The FAA has found that the risk to the 

flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because jamming of the TRAs could 

lead to an inadvertent thrust reverser 

sleeve deployment, possibly resulting in 

reduced control or performance of the 

airplane. Therefore, we find good cause 

that notice and opportunity for prior 

public comment are impracticable. In 

addition, for the reason stated above, we 

find that good cause exists for making 

this amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not precede it by notice and 

opportunity for public comment. We 

invite you to send any written relevant 

data, views, or arguments about this AD. 

Send your comments to an address 

listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2018–1064; 

Product Identifier 2018–NM–155–AD’’ 

at the beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD 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 AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 11 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate 

the following costs to comply with this 

AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

10 work-hours × $85 per hour = $850 ........................................................................................ $0 $850 $9,350 

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 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 and associated appliances to 

the Director of the System Oversight 

Division. 

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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 249 / Monday, December 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 67679 

4. Will not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as 

follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2018–26–07 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39– 

19538; Docket No. FAA–2018–1064; 

Product Identifier 2018–NM–155–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective January 15, 

2019. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model 

A350–941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in 

any category. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 78, Engine Exhaust. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of thrust 

reverser actuators (TRAs) jamming. We are 

issuing this AD to address jamming of the 

TRAs, which could lead to an inadvertent 

thrust reverser sleeve deployment, possibly 

resulting in reduced control or performance 

of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Requirements 

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 

AD: Comply with all required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD 2018–0234R1, dated 

November 13, 2018 (‘‘EASA AD 2018– 

0234R1’’). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018–0234R1 

(1) For purposes of determining 

compliance with the requirements of this AD: 

Where EASA AD 2018–0234R1 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2018–0234R1 refers to 

the master minimum equipment list (MMEL), 

this AD refers to the operator’s minimum 

equipment list (MEL). 

(3) Where EASA AD 2018–0234R1 refers to 

the flight operations transmission (FOT) for 

certain changes, for this AD, do not 

incorporate the information specified in 

EASA MMEL item 78–09–01B, ‘‘ENG 1(2) 

REVERSER MINOR FAULT message— 

Associated reverser considered inoperative,’’ 

and instead, incorporate the information 

specified in Figure 1 to paragraph (h)(3) of 

this AD into the operator’s MEL. 

(4) The replacement specified in paragraph 

(4) of EASA AD 2018–0234R1 is not required 

by this AD. 

(5) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2018–0234R1 does not apply. 

(6) Where EASA AD 2018–0234R1 refers to 

the ‘‘the MER,’’ that document is not required 

by this AD, and it is not applicable to U.S. 

operators. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2018–0234R1, 

specifies to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) 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 (k) 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 instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Section, 

Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; 

or Airbus SAS’s EASA Design Organization 

Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 

the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any 

service information referenced in EASA AD 


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67680 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 249 / Monday, December 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

2018–0234R1 that contain RC procedures and 

tests: Except as required by paragraph (j)(2) 

of this AD, RC 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. 

(k) Related Information 

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. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2018–0234R1, dated November 

13, 2018. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For information about EASA AD 2018– 

0234R1, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 89990 6017; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. 

(4) You may view this EASA AD 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. 

EASA AD 2018–0234R1 may be found in the 

AD docket on the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2018–1064. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on 

December 21, 2018. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–28418 Filed 12–28–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–1065; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–170–AD; Amendment 

39–19539; AD 2018–26–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus SAS Model A320–214, A320– 

232, A320–233, A321–211 and A321– 

231 airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by an investigation that revealed that 

the outer cylinder of a certain ram air 

turbine (RAT) actuator was not properly 

deburred in accordance with 

manufacturing specifications. This AD 

requires a replacement of affected RAT 

actuators. We are issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

January 15, 2019. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 15, 2019. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by February 14, 2019. 

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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

For the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) material described in the ‘‘Related 

IBR Material Under 1 CFR part 51’’ 

section in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, 

contact European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 

3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 89990 1000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

IBR material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may 

view this IBR material 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. 

It is also available in the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov. 

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– 

1065; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(telephone 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3223. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The EASA, which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union, has issued EASA AD 

2018–0256, dated November 28, 2018 

(‘‘EASA AD 2018–0256’’) (also referred 

to as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for certain Airbus SAS Model A320– 

214, A320–232, A320–233, A321–211 

and A321–231 airplanes. The MCAI 

states: 

During acceptance test of a RAT actuator 

P/N [part number] 764711C at the 

manufacturer’s facility, it failed to extend. 

Investigation results revealed that the 

actuator outer cylinder had not been properly 

de-burred in accordance with the 

manufacturing specifications. This caused 

blockage of the hydraulic circuit by metallic 

parts, preventing the RAT from extending. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to failure of RAT deployment when required, 

possibly resulting in reduced control of the 

aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Airbus issued the SB [Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–29–1175, Revision 01, dated February 

16, 2018], identifying the affected parts and 

providing instructions for replacement, and 

Hamilton Sundstrand, manufacturer of the 

RAT actuator, issued the repair SB [UTC 


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