This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

16948 

Vol. 82, No. 66 

Friday, April 7, 2017 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2016–0461; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–159–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier 

proposed airworthiness directive (AD) 

for all Airbus Model A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. This action 

revises the notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) by reducing the 

compliance time for replacing the main 

landing gear (MLG) actuator fitting and 

removing an inspection requirement for 

certain airplanes. We are proposing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. Since these actions 

impose an additional burden over those 

proposed in the NPRM, we are 

reopening the comment period to allow 

the public the chance to comment on 

these proposed changes. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this SNPRM by May 22, 2017. 

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, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this SNPRM, contact Airbus, 

Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email 

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. You 

may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– 

0461; 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 proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket 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: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1405; 

fax 425–227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2016–0461; Directorate Identifier 

2014–NM–159–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed 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 proposed AD. 

Discussion 

We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to all Airbus Model A319, A320, 

and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

January 28, 2016 (81 FR 4901) (‘‘the 

NPRM’’). The NPRM was prompted by 

a report that an MLG door could not be 

closed due to rupture of the actuator 

fitting. The NPRM proposed to require 

repetitive inspections for cracking of the 

MLG door actuator fitting and its 

components, and corrective actions if 

necessary. The NPRM also proposed to 

require eventual replacement of all 

affected MLG door actuator fittings with 

new monoblock fittings, which would 

terminate the repetitive inspections. 

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued 

Since the NPRM was issued, the 

European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2016–0182, dated September 

13, 2016 (referred to after this as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for all Airbus 

Model A319, A320, and A321 series 

airplanes. The MCAI states: 

On one A320 aeroplane, it was reported 

that one of the main landing gear (MLG) 

doors could not be closed. Investigations 

revealed the rupture of the actuator fitting at 

the actuator attachment area on the door side. 

The MLG door is attached to the aeroplane 

by 2 (two) hinge fittings. 

This condition, if not corrected, could, 

under certain circumstances, lead to 

detachment of a MLG door from the 

aeroplane, possibly resulting in damage to 

the aeroplane, and/or injury to persons on 

the ground. 

Prompted by these findings, [Direction 

Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation Civile] France issued 

* * * [an AD] * * *, to require a MLG door 

actuator fitting inspection for cracks and to 

check the grain direction on a batch of 

aeroplanes. Subsequently, DGAC France 

issued * * * [an AD], retaining the 

requirements of DGAC France AD * * *, 

which was superseded, to require an 

inspection of the lower part of the MLG door 

actuator fitting. 

After that [DGAC] AD was issued, 

additional investigations revealed that 

damage could also appear on the nerve area 


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[of the forward monoblock fitting], in the 

upper part of the MLG door actuator fitting 

in the area of the hinge. 

Consequently, DGAC France issued F– 

2003–434, dated December 10, 2003 [http:// 

ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/F-2003-454] (EASA 

approval 2003–1436), retaining the 

requirements of [a] DGAC France AD * * *, 

which was superseded, to require additional 

repetitive inspections. That [DGAC] AD also 

included an optional terminating action, by 

replacing the MLG door actuator fittings in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin (SB) A320–52–1073. 

After DGAC France AD F–2003–434 was 

issued, in the framework of the extended 

service goal campaign, it was decided to 

make replacement of the MLG door actuator 

fittings a required modification. 

Consequently, EASA issued AD 2014–0166 

* * *, retaining the requirements of DGAC 

France AD F–2003–434, which was 

superseded, and requiring replacement of the 

MLG door actuator fittings with new 

monoblock fittings, which constitutes 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. 

After EASA AD 2014–0166 [corresponding 

to the NPRM] was issued, errors were 

identified in the compliance time definitions. 

Replacement of the MLG door actuator 

fittings was required ‘‘before exceeding 

48,000 flight cycles (FC) or 96,000 flight 

hours (FH), whichever occurs later since 

aeroplane first flight’’, which should have 

been ‘‘whichever occurs first’’. Furthermore, 

since the MLG door is an interchangeable 

part, the compliance time must be defined as 

FC/FH accumulated by the MLG door. 

Furthermore, it was discovered that one of 

the required inspection[s] is applicable only 

to a batch of MLG door fittings. 

For the reason described above, this AD 

retains the requirements of EASA AD 2014– 

0166, which is superseded, but requires 

accomplishment of the terminating action 

within more stringent compliance times, and 

reduce[s] the applicability of one of the 

required inspection[s]. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– 

0461. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus has issued the following 

service information: 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52– 

1073, Revision 04, dated August 10, 

1999. 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52– 

1073, Revision 05, dated September 28, 

2006. 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

52A1086, Revision 01, dated September 

10, 1999. 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52– 

1096, Revision 02, dated July 12, 2006. 

This service information describes 

procedures for inspections for cracking 

of the MLG door actuator fitting and its 

components, and corrective actions if 

necessary. This service information also 

describes procedures for replacement of 

all affected MLG door actuator fittings 

with new monoblock fittings. These 

documents are distinct since they apply 

to different airplane models. 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. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this proposed 

AD. We considered the comments 

received. 

Support for the NPRM 

A commenter, Kevin Grandberry, 

stated that he supports the inspections 

of the MLG door actuator fittings 

specified in the NPRM. 

Request To Reduce the Compliance 

Time for Replacing the MLG Actuator 

Fitting 

Airbus asked that we reduce the 

compliance time for the replacement 

specified in paragraph (j)(1) of the 

proposed AD (in the NPRM) from 

‘‘whichever occurs later since the first 

flight of the airplane’’ to ‘‘whichever 

occurs first since the first flight of the 

airplane.’’ Airbus stated that EASA 

updated EASA AD 2014–0166, dated 

July 16, 2014 (referenced in the NPRM), 

to correct the error noted in the 

compliance time (among other changes). 

We agree with the commenter’s 

request in light of the superseded EASA 

AD, which corrects the compliance 

time. We have changed the compliance 

time specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this 

proposed AD accordingly. 

Request To Change Applicability 

United Airlines (UA) asked that we 

limit the applicability of the NPRM to 

the manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) 

included in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–52–1073, Revision 05, dated 

September 28, 2006. UA did not provide 

a reason for the request. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

request. The effectivity of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–52–1073, 

Revision 05, dated September 28, 2006, 

is based on airplanes delivered with the 

affected parts. However, the parts are 

rotable and could be installed on MSNs 

other than those identified in Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–52–1073, 

Revision 05, dated September 28, 2006. 

Therefore, this AD applies to all 

airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of 

this AD. We have not changed this 

proposed AD in this regard. 

Request for Credit for Previous 

Accomplishment of the Optional 

Terminating Action 

UA asked that we give credit for 

modifying the airplane (as specified in 

the optional terminating action in 

paragraph (k) of the proposed AD (in the 

NPRM)) using Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–52–1073, Revision 04, dated 

August 10, 1999; or any prior revision. 

UA stated that accomplishing any 

revisions (including future revisions) 

would terminate the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraphs (g) 

and (h) of the proposed AD. 

We partially agree with the request. 

We agree to include Airbus Service 

Bulletin A320–52–1073, Revision 04, 

dated August 10, 1999, in this proposed 

AD; however, we do not agree to allow 

the use of any prior version because 

changes to the installation procedures 

were added to Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–52–1073, Revision 04, dated 

August 10, 1999, to prevent damage to 

the carbon fiber of the MLG door. We 

have added Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–52–1073, Revision 04, dated 

August 10, 1999, as a method of 

compliance for the optional terminating 

action in paragraph (k) of this proposed 

AD. 

Request To Extend the Compliance 

Time for the Inspections 

Delta Air Lines (DAL) asked that we 

extend the compliance time specified in 

paragraphs (g) and (j)(2) of the proposed 

AD (in the NPRM). DAL stated that the 

FAA waited years to take any action on 

the subject unsafe condition and, in 

light of that fact, the ‘‘calendar date’’ for 

the compliance time in paragraph (g) of 

the proposed AD (in the NPRM) should 

be extended from 30 to 180 days. DAL 

also stated that using a calendar date for 

a crack growth concern is not based on 

industry-accepted analysis. DAL noted 

that mandating the inspections with this 

short interval has a significant impact 

on operators with multiple aircraft that 

are affected by the proposed AD. DAL 

added that an immediate safety concern 

is not evident in the speed with which 

the FAA moved to enact the regulatory 

action, or in the details provided in the 

NPRM. In addition, DAL asked that the 

compliance time in paragraph (j)(2) of 

the proposed AD (in the NPRM) be 

extended from 30 days to 24 months. 

DAL stated that operators would have 

difficulty complying with the 30-day 

compliance time for replacing the MLG 

door actuator fitting due to the extensive 

time necessary to modify each door. 

DAL added that the replacement should 

be done in a hangar environment where 

skilled composite facilities and 


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technicians are available, which occurs 

every 24 months. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

requests. The compliance times in 

paragraphs (g) and (j)(2) of this proposed 

AD are based on EASA’s assessment of 

the overall risk to the fleet, including 

the severity of the failure and the 

likelihood of the failure to occur. We are 

unaware of any information or data that 

substantiates the compliance time 

change the commenter has requested, 

and nothing was provided by the 

commenter to support the request. We 

also do not agree that FAA requirements 

related to crack growth are based on 

calendar time. The calendar time of 30 

days, as retained in this proposed AD, 

is a grace period to provide additional 

time for airplanes that have exceeded 

their limit of validity of engineering 

data. All other compliance time 

requirements are based on flight cycles 

and flight hours. 

We also note that since this is a 

SNPRM, operators will have additional 

time to plan for AD compliance. 

However, under the provisions of 

paragraph (n)(1) of this proposed AD, 

we will consider requests for approval 

of an extension of the compliance time 

if sufficient data are submitted to 

substantiate that the new compliance 

time would provide an acceptable level 

of safety. We have not changed this 

proposed AD in this regard. 

Request To Include MLG Serial 

Numbers 

DAL asked that we change paragraph 

(h) of the proposed AD (in the NPRM) 

to include the affected serial numbers of 

the left- and right-hand doors of the 

MLG. DAL stated that paragraph (g) of 

the proposed AD (in the NPRM) 

provides the door serial numbers to 

assist with identifying the affected 

doors, and similar information should 

be provided in paragraph (h) of the 

proposed AD (in the NPRM). 

We agree with the commenter’s 

request. Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 

2016–0182, dated September 13, 2016, 

which corresponds to paragraph (h) of 

this proposed AD, identifies the affected 

serial numbers. It was not our intent to 

deviate from the MCAI. We have added 

the serial numbers to paragraph (h) of 

this proposed AD. 

Request To Clarify Modification Titles 

UA asked that we clarify the language 

in paragraph (l) of the proposed AD (in 

the NPRM) to add ‘‘or Airbus 

Modification’’ before each modification 

number specified. 

We agree and have clarified paragraph 

(l) of this proposed AD accordingly. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This SNPRM 

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 these same 

type designs. 

Certain changes described above 

expand the scope of the NPRM. As a 

result, we have determined that it is 

necessary to reopen the comment period 

to provide additional opportunity for 

the public to comment on this SNPRM. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 71 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 38 work-hours per product to 

comply with the inspection 

requirements of this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost for the inspection specified in this 

proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 

$229,330, or $3,230 per product. 

We estimate that it would take about 

98 work-hours per product to comply 

with the MLG actuator replacement 

requirements of this proposed AD. 

Required parts would cost about $6,258 

per product. The average labor rate is 

$85 per work-hour. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the cost for the 

actuator replacement specified in this 

proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 

$1,035,748, or $14,588 per product. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: 

General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this 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 

■ 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): 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2016–0461; 

Directorate Identifier 2014–NM–159–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by May 22, 

2017. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, 

certificated in any category, identified in 

paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, 

all manufacturer serial numbers. 

(1) Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, 

–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes. 

(2) Model A320–211, –212, –214, –231, 

–232, and –233 airplanes. 


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(3) Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, 

–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 52, Doors. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report that a 

main landing gear (MLG) door could not be 

closed due to rupture of the actuator fitting. 

Later reports indicated that the forward 

monoblock fitting of the MLG door actuator 

(referred to as the nerve area) could be 

damaged after rupture of the actuator fitting. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of 

the door actuator fittings, which could result 

in detachment of an MLG door and 

subsequent exterior damage and consequent 

reduced structural integrity of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Repetitive Inspections of MLG Door 

Actuator Fittings 

For airplanes equipped with MLG door 

actuator fittings having part number (P/N) 

D52880224000 or P/N D52880224001 that 

were installed before the first flight of the 

airplane on MLG doors identified in 

paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD: 

Within 500 flight hours since the most recent 

high frequency eddy current (HFEC) 

inspection done as specified in Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–52A1086, Revision 01, 

dated September 10, 1999, or within 30 days 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later, perform an HFEC inspection for 

cracking of the MLG door fittings, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

52A1086, Revision 01, dated September 10, 

1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, 

except as provided by paragraphs (i), (j), and 

(k) of this AD. 

(1) Left-hand MLG doors with serial 

numbers (S/Ns) 1206 through 1237 inclusive, 

1239 through 1247 inclusive, and 1249 

through 1251 inclusive. 

(2) Right-hand MLG doors with S/Ns 1208 

through 1239 inclusive, 1241 through 1249 

inclusive, and 1251. 

(h) Repetitive Inspections of MLG Hinge and 

Nerve Areas 

For airplanes equipped with MLG door 

actuator fittings having P/N D52880224000, 

P/N D52880224001, P/N D52880235000, or 

P/N D52880235001 that were installed before 

the first flight of the airplane on MLG doors 

identified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of 

this AD: Within 400 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD, or before the 

accumulation of 9,000 total flight cycles 

since first flight of the airplane, whichever 

occurs later, perform an HFEC inspection of 

both hinge and nerve areas of the MLG doors 

for cracking, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–52–1096, Revision 02, 

dated July 12, 2006. Repeat the inspection 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 800 flight 

cycles, except as provided by paragraphs 

(i)(1), (j), and (k) of this AD. 

(1) Left-hand MLG doors with S/Ns 1206 

through 1510 inclusive, 1548, 1564, and 2000 

through 2065 inclusive. 

(2) Right-hand MLG doors with S/Ns 1208 

through 1519 inclusive, 1551, and 2000 

through 2065 inclusive. 

(i) Inspections/Corrective Actions 

(1) If any crack is found during any 

inspection required by paragraph (g) or (h) of 

this AD: Before further flight, replace the 

affected MLG door actuator fittings with new 

monoblock fittings, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–52–1073, Revision 05, 

dated September 28, 2006. Accomplishing 

this replacement terminates the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraphs (g) and 

(h) of this AD. 

(2) If, during any HFEC inspection required 

by paragraph (g) of this AD, no crack is 

found: Before further flight, perform a low 

frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspection to 

determine the grain direction of the raw 

material of each MLG actuator fitting, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

52A1086, Revision 01, dated September 10, 

1999. 

(i) If the grain direction of the raw material 

is correct, the repetitive inspections required 

by paragraph (g) of this AD may be 

terminated. 

(ii) If the grain direction of the raw material 

is incorrect, repeat the HFEC inspection 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the 

time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. 

Replacement of the MLG door actuator 

fittings with new monoblock fittings as 

specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD 

terminates the repetitive inspections required 

by paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD. 

(j) MLG Door Actuator Fitting Replacement 

For airplanes equipped with any MLG door 

actuator fitting having P/N D52880102000, P/ 

N D52880102001, P/N D52880220000, P/N 

D52880220001, P/N D52880224000, P/N 

D52880224001, P/N D52880235000, or P/N 

D52880235001: At the later of the times 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this 

AD, replace the MLG door actuator fittings 

with new monoblock fittings, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52–1073, 

Revision 05, dated September 28, 2006. 

Accomplishing this replacement terminates 

the repetitive inspections required by 

paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. 

(1) Before the accumulation of 48,000 total 

flight cycles or 96,000 total flight hours on 

the MLG door, whichever occurs first. 

(2) Within 30 days after the effective date 

of this AD. 

(k) Optional Terminating Action 

Replacement of the MLG door actuator 

fittings with new monoblock fittings, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

52–1073, Revision 04, dated August 10, 1999; 

or Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52–1073, 

Revision 05, dated September 28, 2006; 

terminates the repetitive inspections required 

by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. 

(l) Airplanes Excluded From Certain AD 

Requirements 

(1) For airplanes on which Airbus 

Modification 24903, or Airbus Modification 

25372, or Airbus Modification 36979 has 

been embodied in production, no action is 

required by this AD, provided that no MLG 

door actuator fitting having any part number 

identified in paragraph (j) of this AD has 

been reinstalled on the airplane since first 

flight. 

(2) Modification of an airplane by 

installing a version (P/N) of the MLG door 

actuator fitting approved after the effective 

date of this AD is acceptable for compliance 

with the requirements in paragraph (j) of this 

AD, provided the conditions specified in 

paragraphs (l)(2)(i) and (l)(2)(ii) are met. 

(i) The MLG door actuator fitting (P/N) 

must be approved by the Manager, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

(ii) The modification must be 

accomplished in accordance with 

instructions approved by the Manager, 

International Branch, EASA, or Airbus’s 

EASA DOA. 

(m) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install an MLG door actuator 

fitting having any part number identified in 

paragraph (j) of this AD on any airplane. 

(n) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone 425–227–1405; fax 425–227–1149. 

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 Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

the EASA; or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(o) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA 


nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS
16952 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 66 / Friday, April 7, 2017 / Proposed Rules 

Airworthiness Directive 2016–0182, dated 

September 13, 2016, for related information. 

This MCAI may be found in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2016–0461. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness 

Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

You may view this service information at the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 

29, 2017. 

Dionne Palermo, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2017–06705 Filed 4–6–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–0032; Airspace 

Docket No. 17–AEA–1] 

Proposed Amendment of Class D 

Airspace and Revocation of Class E 

Airspace; Fort Eustis, VA 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

remove Class E airspace designated as 

an extension at Fort Eustis, VA, as the 

Felker Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) 

has been decommissioned, and the 

approaches cancelled at Felker Army 

Airfield, (AAF). This action also would 

update the geographic coordinates of the 

airport under Class D airspace. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before May 22, 2017. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., West Bldg. 

Ground Floor, Rm. W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: 1– 

800–647–5527, or 202–366–9826. You 

must identify the Docket No. FAA– 

2017–0032; Airspace Docket No. 17– 

AEA–1, at the beginning of your 

comments. You may also submit and 

review received comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office between 

9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

on line at http://www.faa.gov/air_

traffic/publications/. For further 

information, you can contact the 

Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is 

also available for inspection at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of FAA 

Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202–741– 

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ 

federal_register/code_of_federalregulations/ibr_locations.html. 

FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, is 

published yearly and effective on 

September 15. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Fornito, Operations Support Group, 

Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, P.O. Box 20636, 

Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone 404 

305–6364. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

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. This rulemaking is 

promulgated under the authority 

described in Subtitle VII, Part A, 

Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that 

section, the FAA is charged with 

prescribing regulations to assign the use 

of airspace necessary to ensure the 

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of 

airspace. This regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it would 

remove Class E airspace, and amend 

Class D at Felker AAF, Fort Eustis, VA. 

Comments Invited 

Interested persons are invited to 

comment on this rule by submitting 

such written data, views, or arguments, 

as they may desire. Comments that 

provide the factual basis supporting the 

views and suggestions presented are 

particularly helpful in developing 

reasoned regulatory decisions on the 

proposal. Comments are specifically 

invited on the overall regulatory, 

aeronautical, economic, environmental, 

and energy-related aspects of the 

proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers and be submitted in 

triplicate to the address listed above. 

You may also submit comments through 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov. 

Persons wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this action must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket No. FAA–2017–0032; Airspace 

Docket No. 17–AEA–1.’’ The postcard 

will be date/time stamped and returned 

to the commenter. 

All communications received before 

the specified closing date for comments 

will be considered before taking action 

on the proposed rule. The proposal 

contained in this notice may be changed 

in light of the comments received. A 

report summarizing each substantive 

public contact with FAA personnel 

concerned with this rulemaking will be 

filed in the docket. 

Availability of NPRMs 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded from and 

comments submitted through http://

www.regulations.gov. Recently 

published rulemaking documents can 

also be accessed through the FAA’s Web 

page at http://www.regulations.gov. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office (see the 

ADDRESSES section for address and 

phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 

5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. An informal 

docket may also be examined between 

8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal Holidays 

at the office of the Eastern Service 

Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Room 350, 1701 

Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 

30337. 

Availability and Summary of 

Documents for Incorporation by 

Reference 

This document proposes to amend 

FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, 

dated August 3, 2016, and effective 

September 15, 2016. FAA Order 

7400.11A is publicly available as listed 

in the ADDRESSES section of this 

document. FAA Order 7400.11A lists 

Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 

air traffic service routes, and reporting 

points. 


nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with PROPOSALS