34758 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

(2) Engines listed in Appendix 1, Table 1, 

of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72–AJ992, 

Revision 1, dated January 3, 2018, or 

Appendix 1, Table 1, of RR Alert NMSB 

Trent 1000 72–AJ992, Revision 2, dated April 

16, 2018, may not be installed on an airplane 

with engines that have IPT blades installed 

in accordance with RR NMSB Trent 1000 72– 

J442, Revision 1, dated February 21, 2018, or 

Initial Issue, dated September 21, 2016; or RR 

NMSB Trent 1000 72–J465, Revision 2, dated 

February 28, 2018, or Revision 1, dated 

January 10, 2017, or Initial Issue, dated 

December 22, 2016. 

(i) Terminating Action 

Modification of an engine in accordance 

with the instructions of RR SB Trent 1000 

72–H818, dated November 14, 2016, 

constitutes terminating action for the 

requirements of this AD for that engine. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has 

the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 

if requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You 

may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@

faa.gov. 

(2) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 

Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238– 

7088; fax: 781–238–7199; email: 

kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD 2018–0086, dated April 

17, 2018, for more information. You may 

examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on 

the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating it in Docket No. 

FAA–2017–1237. 

(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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 

1000–72–AJ992, Revision 1, dated January 3, 

2018. 

(ii) RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000–72–AJ992, 

Revision 2, dated April 16, 2018. 

(iii) RR Service Bulletin Trent 1000 72– 

H818, dated November 14, 2016. 

(3) For RR service information identified in 

this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 

England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011–44–1332– 

242424; fax: 011–44–1332–249936; email: 

http://www.rolls-royce.com/contact/civil_

team.jsp; internet: https://customers.rollsroyce.com/public/rollsroycecare. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards 

Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 

MA 01803. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

781–238–7759. 

(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 Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

July 17, 2018. 

Robert J. Ganley, 

Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 

Branch, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–15649 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0590; Product 

Identifier 2018–NE–24–AD; Amendment 39– 

19319; AD 2018–13–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce 

plc Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Trent 1000–A, 

Trent 1000–C, Trent 1000–D, Trent 

1000–E, Trent 1000–G, and Trent 1000– 

H turbofan engine models. This AD 

requires inspecting the intermediatepressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor 

blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC 

stage 2 dovetail posts, and removing any 

cracked parts from service. This AD was 

prompted by crack findings on the IPC 

rotor blades, which could lead to 

separations resulting in engine failures. 

We are issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 7, 

2018. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of August 7, 2018. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by September 6, 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: 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 service information identified in 

this final rule, contact Rolls-Royce plc, 

Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 

31, Derby, England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 

011–44–1332–242424; fax: 011–44– 

1332–249936; email: corporate.care@

rolls-royce.com; internet: https://

customers.rolls-royce.com/public/ 

rollsroycecare. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, Engine 

& Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 

District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 781–238– 

7759. It is also available on the internet 

at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2018–0590. 

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– 

0590; 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 final rule, 

the mandatory continuing airworthiness 

information (MCAI), the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations (phone: 800–647– 

5527) is listed above. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 

781–238–7088; fax: 781–238–7199; 

email: kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 


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Community, has issued EASA AD 2018– 

0128, dated June 12, 2018 (referred to 

hereinafter as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to address 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

Occurrences were reported on RR Trent 

1000 ‘Pack B’ engines, where some IPC Rotor 

1 and Rotor 2 blades were found cracked. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to in-flight blade 

release, possibly resulting in reduced control 

of the aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

RR issued the NMSB and the applicable 

NMSB to provide instructions to inspect IPC 

Rotor 1 blades, IPC Rotor 2 blades (front and 

rear face) and IPC shaft Stage 2 dovetail 

posts. 

For the reason described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires a one-time inspection of 

the affected parts and, depending on the 

findings, accomplishment of applicable 

corrective action(s). 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket on the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0590. 

Related Service Information Under 

1 CFR Part 51 

We reviewed RR Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) 

Trent 1000 72–AK130, Initial Issue, 

dated June 11, 2018. The NMSB 

describes procedures for performing a 

one-time inspection of the IPC stage 1 

rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, 

and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, and lists 

engine serial numbers. 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. 

Other Related Service Information 

We reviewed RR NMSB Trent 1000 

72–K099, Initial Issue, dated June 11, 

2018; RR NMSB Trent 1000 72–K100, 

Initial Issue, dated June 11, 2018; and 

RR NMSB Trent 1000 72–K129, Initial 

Issue, dated June 11, 2018. RR NMSB 

Trent 1000 72–K099 describes 

procedures for an ultrasonic inspection 

of the IPC stage 1 rotor blades. RR 

NMSB Trent 1000 72–K100 describes 

procedures for a visual borescope 

inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor 

blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts. 

RR NMSB Trent 1000 72–K129 

describes procedures for an ultrasonic 

inspection of the IPC stage 2 rotor 

blades. 

FAA’s Determination 

This product has been approved by 

EASA and is approved for operation in 

the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the European 

Community, EASA has notified us of 

the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are issuing this 

AD because we evaluated all the 

relevant information provided by EASA 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires inspecting the IPC 

stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor 

blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts, 

and removing any cracked parts from 

service. 

FAA’s Justification and Determination 

of the Effective Date 

No domestic operators use this 

product. Therefore, we find good cause 

that notice and opportunity for prior 

public comment are unnecessary. 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 

was not preceded by notice and an 

opportunity for public comment. 

However, we invite you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this final rule. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include the docket number 

FAA–2018–0590 and Product Identifier 

2018–NE–24–AD at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this final rule. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this final 

rule because of 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 final rule. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 0 

engines installed on airplanes of U.S. 

registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspect IPC blades and dovetail post ............. 20 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,700 ........ $0 $1,700 $0 

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 engines, propellers, and 

associated appliances to the Manager, 

Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 

Policy and Innovation Division. 

Regulatory Findings 

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 


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34760 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

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 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 

(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): 

2018–13–07 Rolls-Royce plc: Amendment 

39–19319; Docket No. FAA–2018–0590; 

Product Identifier 2018–NE–24–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective August 7, 2018. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Rolls Royce plc (RR) 

Trent 1000–A, Trent 1000–C, Trent 1000–D, 

Trent 1000–E, Trent 1000–G, and Trent 

1000–H turbofan engine models. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor 

Section. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor 

blade cracks, which could lead to separations 

resulting in engine failures. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent failure of the IPC. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in failure of one or more engines, loss 

of thrust control, and loss of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Inspect the IPC stage 1 rotor blades, at 

the applicable compliance times specified in 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever comes 

first: 

(i) Within 30 days for the serial number 

IPC modules installed in the referenced serial 

number engines listed in Group 1 in 

Appendix 1 of RR Alert Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 1000 72– 

AK130, dated June 11, 2018, using the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.A.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72– 

AK130, dated June 11, 2018. 

(ii) Within 60 days for all IPC modules not 

listed in Group 1 in Appendix 1 of RR Alert 

NMSB Trent 1000 72–AK130, dated June 11, 

2018, using the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1)(a), of RR Alert 

NMSB Trent 1000 72–AK130, dated June 11, 

2018. Those serial number IPC modules 

specifically identified in Group 2 in 

Appendix 1 of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 

72–AK130, dated June 11, 2018, do not 

require inspection. 

(iii) At the next engine shop visit, using the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 

3.A.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB Trent 1000 72– 

AK130, dated June 11, 2018. 

(2) For IPC modules with 1,000 or more 

flight cycles, inspect the IPC stage 2 rotor 

blades and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts within 

30 days of the effective date of this AD or at 

the next engine shop visit, whichever comes 

first. 

(i) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC 

stage 2 dovetail posts inspected on-wing, use 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 

3.B.(1)(a) and 3.C.(1)(a), of RR Alert NMSB 

Trent 1000 72–AK130, dated June 11, 2018. 

(ii) For IPC stage 2 rotor blades and IPC 

stage 2 dovetail posts inspected in shop, use 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 

3.B.(2)(a) and 3.C.(2)(a), of RR Alert NMSB 

Trent 1000 72–AK130, dated June 11, 2018. 

(3) For engines that are in an engine shop 

visit on the effective date of this AD, inspect 

IPC stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor 

blades, and IPC stage 2 dovetail posts before 

returning the engine to service. 

(4) If any IPC stage 1 rotor blade, IPC stage 

2 rotor blade, or an IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail 

post is found cracked during any inspection 

required by this AD, remove the part from 

service and replace the part with a part 

eligible for installation before further flight. 

(h) Definition 

An ’’engine shop visit’’ is the induction of 

an engine into the shop for maintenance 

involving the separation of pairs of major 

mating engine flanges (lettered flanges). The 

separation of engine flanges solely for the 

purpose of transportation of the engine 

without subsequent engine maintenance does 

not constitute an engine shop visit. 

(i) Special Flight Permits 

(1) Special flight permits, as described in 

Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 

and 21.199), are subject to the requirements 

of paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this AD. 

(i) Operators who are prohibited from 

further flight due to an IPC stage 1 rotor 

blade, IPC stage 2 rotor blade, or an IPC stage 

2 dovetail post being found cracked, may 

perform a one-time non-revenue ferry flight 

to a location where the engine can be 

removed from service. This ferry flight must 

be performed without passengers, involve 

non-extended operations (ETOPS), and 

consume no more than three flight cycles. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(2) Reserved. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has 

the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 

if requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. You 

may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@

faa.gov. 

(2) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kevin M. Clark, Aerospace Engineer, 

ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 

Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238– 

7088; fax: 781–238–7199; email: 

kevin.m.clark@faa.gov. 

(2) Refer to European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD 2018–0128, dated June 

12, 2018, for more information. You may 

examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on 

the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating it in Docket No. 

FAA–2018–0590. 

(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 the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Alert NonModification Service Bulletin (NMSB) Trent 

1000 72–AK130, Initial issue, dated June 11, 

2018. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Rolls-Royce plc, Corporate 

Communications, P.O. Box 31, Derby, 

England, DE24 8BJ; phone: 011–44–1332– 

242424; fax: 011–44–1332–249936; email: 

corporate.care@rolls-royce.com; internet: 

https://customers.rolls-royce.com/public/ 

rollsroycecare. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards 

Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, 


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MA. For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7759. 

(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 Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

July 17, 2018. 

Robert J. Ganley, 

Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 

Branch, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–15668 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0636; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–097–AD; Amendment 

39–19337; AD 2018–15–05] 

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 A319–115, –132, and 

–133 airplanes; and Model A320–214, 

–216, –232, –233, –251N, and –271N 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of safety pins that had been 

installed on the inflation reservoirs of 

escape slides/slide rafts during 

production, but had not been removed. 

This AD requires inspecting each 

passenger escape slide/slide raft to 

determine whether the safety pin is 

installed on the slide inflation reservoir, 

and removing any installed safety pin. 

We are issuing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

August 7, 2018. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of August 7, 2018. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by September 6, 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: 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 final rule, contact Airbus SAS, 

Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 2 RondPoint Emile Dewoitine, 31700 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 

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 

on the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0636. 

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– 

0636; or in person at the Docket 

Operations office 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 

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: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3323. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2018–0129, 

dated June 15, 2018 (referred to after 

this as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for certain Airbus SAS Model A319– 

115, –132, and –133 airplanes; and 

Model A320–214, –216, –232, –233, 

–251N, and –271N airplanes. The MCAI 

states: 

Safety pins have been found installed on 

the escape slide/slide raft inflation reservoir 

on several aeroplanes. Investigations 

determined that, on certain aeroplanes, safety 

pins may not have been removed on the 

production line. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, would prevent the deployment of 

the escape slide/slide raft, when required in 

case of emergency, possibly resulting in 

injury to the occupants. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Airbus issued the original issue of the AOT 

[alert operators transmission], providing 

inspection instructions. The AOT has been 

later revised twice to extend the 

applicability. 

For the reasons described above, this AD 

requires a one-time inspection of each 

affected slide/raft and, depending on 

findings, removal of the safety pin. 

You may examine the MCAI on the 

internet at http://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2018–0636. 

Related Service Information Under 

1 CFR Part 51 

Airbus has issued Alert Operators 

Transmission A25N012–17, Revision 

02, dated May 29, 2018. This service 

information describes procedures for 

inspecting each passenger escape slide/ 

slide raft to determine whether the 

safety pin is installed on the slide 

inflation reservoir, and removing any 

installed safety pin and stowing the pin 

in the stowage pocket of the soft cover 

of the pack assembly. 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 

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 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. 

Requirements of This AD 

This AD requires accomplishing the 

actions specified in the service 

information described previously. 


amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES