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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0128; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01406-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
 SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A321-211, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of false drill starts found around the latch hook mounting holes of certain door frames of the fuselage due to erroneous manufacturing processes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the area around the latch hook mounting holes of the forward and aft door frames to detect damage from false drill starts, and repair if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
 DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 2021.
 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 
                        *https://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 material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, For EASA, use: Contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 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, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 
                        *https://www.regulations.gov*
                         by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0128. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the internet at 
                    *https://www.regulations.gov*
                     by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0128; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; email 
                        *Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                    . Include “Docket No. FAA-2021-0128; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01406-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
                    *https://www.regulations.gov,*
                     including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated 
                    ( print page 13230)
                    as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; email 
                    *Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov.*
                     Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0222, dated October 14, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0222) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A321-211, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of false drill starts found around the latch hook mounting holes of certain door frames of the fuselage due to erroneous manufacturing processes. These false drill starts were found around the latch hook mounting holes on frames 16 and 66 of the left- and right-hand sides of forward and aft passenger doors 1 and 4. The FAA is proposing this AD to address damage from false drill starts, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 EASA AD 2020-0222 describes procedures for a one-time detailed inspection of the area around the latch hook mounting holes of the forward and aft door frames to detect damage from false drill starts, and repair of any damage found. 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. 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 the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2020-0222 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Clarification of Compliance Times to Certain Proposed AD Requirements Although EASA AD 2020-0222 does not specifically state compliance times for the corrective actions required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0222, paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0222 does specify to accomplish applicable corrective actions within the compliance time as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1473, dated December 20, 2019. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1473, dated December 20, 2019, specifies the compliance times for these actions are before further flight. Therefore, paragraph (g) of this proposed AD would require the corrective actions to be done before further flight. Explanation of Required Compliance Information In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA initially 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. The FAA has since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2020-0222 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2020-0222 in its entirety, through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in the EASA AD does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in the EASA AD. Service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0222 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2020-0222 will be available on the internet at 
                    *https://www.regulations.gov*
                     by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0128 after the FAA final rule is published. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 21 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per 
                             product
Cost on U.S. 
                             operators14 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,190
$0
$1,190
$24,990* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
 The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the proposed reporting requirement in this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be $1,785, or $85 per product. The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition repairs that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition repairs:
                    ( print page 13231) Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per 
                             productUp to 42 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,570 (per door)
* $0
Up to $3,570.* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this proposed AD.
 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 operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate. Paperwork Reduction Act A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524. 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. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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
 1.The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                    49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13
 2.The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: **Airbus SAS:**
                         Docket No. FAA-2021-0128; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01406-T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 22, 2021. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A321-211, -231, and -232 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0222, dated October 14, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0222). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a report of false drill starts found around the latch hook mounting holes of certain door frames of the fuselage due to erroneous manufacturing processes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage from false drill starts, which could result in reduced structural integrity 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, EASA AD 2020-0222. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0222 (1) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0222 specifies to report inspection results to Airbus within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the inspection. (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (2) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2020-0222 does not apply to this AD. (i) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) 
                        *Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs):*
                         The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
                        *9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.*
                         Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
                        ( print page 13232)
                        inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards 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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (3) 
                        *Required for Compliance (RC*): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (4) 
                        *Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement:*
                         A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory as required by this AD. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524. (j) Related Information (1) For information about EASA AD 2020-0222, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 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.*
                         You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at 
                        *https://www.regulations.gov*
                         by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0128. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; email 
                        *Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov.* Issued on February 26, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.


[FR Doc. 2021-04441 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P