Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 40703 

Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 

206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); 

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, sec. 306 

(42 U.S.C. 10226); National Environmental 

Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332); 44 U.S.C. 

3504 note; Sec. 109, Pub. L. 96–295, 94 Stat. 

783. 

■ 2. In § 50.55a: 

■ a. Remove and reserve paragraphs 

(a)(1)(iii)(E) and (G); 

■ b. Revise paragraph (a)(3) introductory 

text; 

■ c. In paragraph (a)(3)(i), remove the 

phrase ‘‘Revision 37’’ and add in its 

place the phrase ‘‘Revision 38’’; 

■ d. In paragraph (a)(3)(ii), remove the 

phrase ‘‘Revision 18’’ and add in its 

place the phrase ‘‘Revision 19’’; 

■ e. In paragraph (a)(3)(iii), remove the 

phrase ‘‘Revision 2’’ and add in its place 

the phrase ‘‘Revision 3’’; 

■ f. Remove paragraph (b)(2)(xxxvii); 

and 

■ g. Remove and reserve paragraph 

(b)(3)(x). 

The revision reads as follows: 

§ 50.55a Codes and standards. 

(3) U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) Public Document 

Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 

Maryland 20852; telephone: 1–800– 

397–4209; email: pdr.resource@nrc.gov; 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/reg-guides/. The use of Code 

Cases listed in the NRC regulatory 

guides in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) through 

(iii) of this section is acceptable with the 

specified conditions in those guides 

when implementing the editions and 

addenda of the ASME BPV Code and 

ASME OM Code incorporated by 

reference in paragraph (a)(1) of this 

section. 

* * * * * 

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day 

of July, 2018. 

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Michele G. Evans, 

Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor 

Regulation. 

[FR Doc. 2018–17650 Filed 8–15–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0710; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–079–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 

Inc., Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–700–1A10 

and BD–700–1A11 airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by inservice findings that a cotter pin at the 

main fitting joint of the nose landing 

gear (NLG) retraction actuator to the 

NLG strut showed evidence of shearing 

after a NLG retraction-extension cycling. 

This proposed AD would require 

revising the maintenance or inspection 

program, as applicable, a general visual 

inspection for damage of a certain cotter 

pin present on certain configurations of 

the NLG strut assembly and for the 

modification number shown on the 

identification plate for the NLG strut, 

and modification of the NLG retraction 

actuator hardware on any damaged NLG 

strut assembly. We are proposing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 1, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Bombardier, Inc., 

400 Coˆte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 

Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 

514–855–5000; fax 514–855–7401; email 

thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; internet 

http://www.bombardier.com. You may 

view this service information at the 

FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0710; 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, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe and Mechanical Systems 

Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 

1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516– 

228–7318; fax 516–794–5531; email 9- 

avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2018–0710; Product Identifier 2018– 

NM–079–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this NPRM. We will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this NPRM 

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 NPRM. 

Discussion 

Transport Canada Civil Aviation 

(TCCA), which is the aviation authority 

for Canada, has issued Canadian AD 

CF–2018–05, dated January 23, 2018 

(referred to after this as the Mandatory 

Continuing Airworthiness Information, 

or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., 

Model BD–700–1A10 and BD–700– 

1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states: 

There have been in-service findings 

whereby the cotter pin at the retraction 

actuator to nose landing gear (NLG) strut 

main fitting was observed to be damaged 

after a NLG retraction-extension cycling. This 

condition could lead to a loss of hardware 

and result in an actuator disconnect resulting 

in a failure to retract or extend, or in an 

undamped freefall of the NLG [which could 

adversely affect the airplane’s continued safe 

flight and landing]. 

This AD mandates a revision to the 

approved maintenance schedule. This AD 

also mandates a visual inspection of the 

cotter pin for certain configurations of NLG 

strut assembly, and if found damaged, the 

incorporation of a modification which 

introduces a new castellated nut, spacer, end 

plate and sleeve to the NLG retraction 

actuator to main fitting joint. 


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40704 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

The required actions also include a 

prohibition on accomplishing LiebherrAerospace Service Bulletin 1285A–32– 

07 at any revision level on the NLG strut 

assemblies of any Bombardier, Inc., 

Model BD–700–1A10 or BD–700–1A11 

airplane in order to prevent the 

installation of the affected configuration 

of the NLG strut assembly. You may 

examine the MCAI in the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0710. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Bombardier has issued the following 

service information, which describes 

procedures for a general visual 

inspection for damage of the cotter pin 

retaining the bolt that secures the main 

fitting joint of the NLG retraction 

actuator to the NLG strut and for the 

modification number shown on the 

identification plate for the NLG strut, 

and modifying the attachment hardware 

that secures the NLG retraction actuator 

to the NLG strut. These documents are 

distinct since they apply to different 

airplane models in different 

configurations. 

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700– 

1A11–32–022, Revision 2, dated 

November 6, 2017. 

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700– 

32–035, Revision 2, dated November 6, 

2017. 

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700– 

32–5011, Revision 2, dated November 6, 

2017. 

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700– 

32–6011, Revision 2, dated November 6, 

2017. 

Bombardier has issued the following 

service information, which identifies 

airworthiness limitation tasks for 

restoration of the main fitting joint of 

the NLG retraction actuator to the NLG 

strut. These documents are distinct 

since they apply to different airplane 

models in different configurations. 

• Task 32–33–01–111 of Bombardier 

Global 5000 BD–700 Time Limits/ 

Maintenance Checks, Revision 19, dated 

November 13, 2017, for Bombardier 

Model BD–700–1A11 airplanes. 

• Task 32–33–01–111 of Bombardier 

Global 5000 GL 5000 Featuring Global 

Vision Flight Deck—Time Limits/ 

Maintenance Checks, Revision 9, dated 

November 13, 2017, for Bombardier 

Model BD–700–1A11 airplanes. 

• Task 32–33–01–111 of Bombardier 

Global Express BD–700 Time Limits/ 

Maintenance Checks, Revision 28, dated 

November 13, 2017, for Bombardier 

Model BD–700–1A10 airplanes. 

• Task 32–33–01–111 of Bombardier 

Global Express XRS BD–700 Time 

Limits/Maintenance Checks, Revision 

15, dated November 13, 2017, for 

Bombardier Model BD–700–1A10 

airplanes. 

• Task 32–33–01–111 of Bombardier 

Global 6000 GL 6000 Time Limits/ 

Maintenance Checks, Revision 9, dated 

November 13, 2017, for Bombardier 

Model BD–700–1A10 airplanes. 

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 proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all the 

relevant information and determined 

the unsafe condition described 

previously is likely to exist or develop 

on other products of the same type 

design. 

This proposed AD requires revisions 

to certain operator maintenance 

documents to include new actions (e.g., 

inspections). Compliance with these 

actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). 

For airplanes that have been previously 

modified, altered, or repaired in the 

areas addressed by this proposed AD, 

the operator may not be able to 

accomplish the actions described in the 

revisions. In this situation, to comply 

with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator 

must request approval for an alternative 

method of compliance according to 

paragraph (l)(1) of this proposed AD. 

The request should include a 

description of changes to the required 

actions that will ensure the continued 

damage tolerance of the affected 

structure. 

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

Explanation of Service Bulletin 

Effectivity 

Where Bombardier Service Bulletin 

700–1A11–32–022 erroneously specifies 

‘‘BD–700–1A10 aircraft’’ in paragraph 

1.A, ‘‘Effectivity,’’ the effectivity should 

be Bombardier, Inc., Model ‘‘BD–700– 

1A11 airplanes’’ instead. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 60 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 

estimate the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 .......................................................................................... $0 $340 $20,400 

We have determined that revising the 

maintenance or inspection program 

takes an average of 90 work-hours per 

operator, although we recognize that 

this number may vary from operator to 

operator. In the past, we have estimated 

that this action takes 1 work-hour per 

airplane. Since operators incorporate 

maintenance or inspection program 

changes for their affected fleet(s), we 

have determined that a per-operator 

estimate is more accurate than a perairplane estimate. Therefore, we 

estimate the total cost per operator to be 

$7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per workhour). 

We estimate the following costs to do 

the necessary on-condition action that 

would be required based on the results 

of any required actions. We have no way 

of determining the number of aircraft 

that might need this on-condition 

action: 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION

ACTION

Labor cost Parts 

cost 

Cost per 

product 

1 work-hour × $85 

per hour = $85 ...... $10,487 $10,572 

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 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 40705 

individuals. We do not control warranty 

coverage for affected individuals. As a 

result, we have included all known 

costs in our cost estimate. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs, describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: 

‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

This proposed AD is issued in 

accordance with authority delegated by 

the Executive Director, Aircraft 

Certification Service, as authorized by 

FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance 

with that order, issuance of ADs is 

normally a function of the Compliance 

and Airworthiness Division, but during 

this transition period, the Executive 

Director has delegated the authority to 

issue ADs applicable to transport 

category airplanes to the Director of the 

System Oversight Division. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD would not have a 

substantial direct effect on the States, on 

the relationship between the national 

Government and the States, or on the 

distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify this proposed regulation: 

1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866; 

2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska; and 

4. Will not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 

39 as follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

■ 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): 

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0710; Product Identifier 2018–NM–079– 

AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by October 1, 

2018. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., 

Model BD–700–1A10 and BD–700–1A11 

airplanes, certificated in any category, serial 

numbers 9002 through 9638 inclusive and 

9998. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 32, Landing gear. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by in-service 

findings that a cotter pin at the main fitting 

joint of the nose landing gear (NLG) 

retraction actuator to the NLG strut showed 

evidence of shearing after a NLG retractionextension cycling. We are issuing this AD to 

address this condition which could lead to a 

loss of hardware and result in an actuator 

disconnect and the NLG failing to retract or 

extend, or in an undamped freefall, which 

could adversely affect the airplane’s 

continued safe flight and landing. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program 

Revision 

Within 30 days after the effective date of 

this AD: Revise the maintenance or 

inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate the information specified in 

Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) Task 32– 

33–01–111, ‘‘Restoration of the Nose Landing 

Gear Shock-Strut Assembly to RetractionActuator Main-Fitting Joint,’’ as specified in 

the applicable time limits/maintenance 

checks (TLMC) manual identified in figure 1 

to paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable. 

The initial compliance time for doing the 

task is at the time specified in the applicable 

TLMC manual listed in figure 1 to paragraph 

(g) of this AD, or within 30 days after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later. 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
40706 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

(h) Inspection and Modification 

(1) Except for airplanes identified in 

paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: Within 6 months 

from the effective date of this AD, perform a 

general visual inspection for damage of the 

cotter pin retaining the bolt that secures the 

NLG retraction actuator to the NLG strut, and 

a general visual inspection of the 

modification number shown on the 

identification plate for the NLG strut, and, if 

applicable, mark the correct modification 

number on the identification plate of the 

NLG strut, in accordance with the applicable 

Bombardier service information as shown in 

figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD. If 

damage to the cotter pin is present: Before 

further flight, perform the modification of the 

NLG attachment joint in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of the 

applicable Bombardier service information as 

shown in figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD. 

(2) The actions specified in paragraph 

(h)(1) of this AD are not required for 

airplanes that do not have the NLG 

configuration specified in Paragraph 1.A, 

‘‘Effectivity’’ of the applicable Bombardier 

service information as shown in figure 2 to 

paragraph (h) of this AD. 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALSEP16AU18.000</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 40707 

(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals 

After the maintenance or inspection 

program has been revised as required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 

actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, may be 

used unless the actions or intervals are 

approved as an alternative method of 

compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 

procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of 

this AD. 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using the service 

information specified in figure 3 to paragraph 

(j)(1) of this AD. 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–C 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for 

actions required by paragraph (h)(1) of this 

AD, if those actions were performed before 

the effective date of this AD using the service 

information specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) 

through (j)(2)(viii) of this AD, provided that 

it can be confirmed that at least 25 NLG 

extension-retraction cycles had been 

completed on the NLG at the time of 

completion of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the applicable service 

information specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) 

through (j)(2)(viii) of this AD; and provided 

neither the NLG nor the NLG retract actuator 

has been replaced or modified since the 

completion of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the applicable service 

information specified in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) 

through (j)(2)(viii) of this AD. 

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–1A11– 

32–022, dated May 13, 2015. 

(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700– 

1A11–32–022, Revision 1, dated August 26, 

2015. 

(iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

035, dated May 13, 2015. 

(iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

035, Revision 1, dated August 26, 2015. 

(v) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

5011, dated May 13, 2015. 

(vi) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

5011, Revision 1, dated August 26, 2015. 

(vii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

6011, dated May 13, 2015. 

(viii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700–32– 

6011, Revision 1, dated August 26, 2015. 

(k) Service Information Prohibition 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may incorporate Liebherr-Aerospace 

Service Bulletin 1285A–32–07 at any 

revision level on the NLG strut assemblies of 

any Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–700–1A10 

or BD–700–1A11 airplane. 

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO 

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 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALSEP16AU18.001</GPH> EP16AU18.002</GPH>
40708 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 159 / Thursday, August 16, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the certification office, 

send it to ATTN: Program Manager, 

Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New 

York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 

516–228–7300; fax 516–794–5531. 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, New York ACO Branch, 

FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation 

(TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.’s TCCA Design 

Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by 

the DAO, the approval must include the 

DAO-authorized signature. 

(m) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian 

AD CF–2018–05, dated January 23, 2018, for 

related information. This MCAI may be 

found in the AD docket on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0710. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, 

FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone 516–228–7318; fax 516–794–5531; 

email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 CoˆteVertu Road West, Dorval, Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, 

Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514– 

855–7401; email thd.crj@

aero.bombardier.com; internet http://

www.bombardier.com. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, Transport 

Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

206–231–3195. 

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on 

August 7, 2018. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Director, System Oversight Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–17622 Filed 8–15–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0758; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–093–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus SAS Model A350–941 airplanes. 

This proposed AD was prompted by a 

review of the Airbus A350 structure 

design principles database for type 

definition that revealed that the 

balancer fitting part, installed on the tail 

cone, on a certain frame (FR) has several 

corrosion-resistant stainless steel nuts 

that do not meet the requirements for 

protection against corrosion. This 

proposed AD would require application 

of a new additional overcoat sealant and 

elastic varnish on the affected nuts and 

fasteners. We are proposing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 1, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Airbus SAS, 

Airworthiness Office—EAL, Rond-Point 

Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

continued-airworthiness.a350@

airbus.com; internet http://

www.airbus.com. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, 

Transport Standards Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0758; 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, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3218. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2018–0758; Product Identifier 2018– 

NM–093–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this NPRM. We will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this NPRM 

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 NPRM. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2018–0123, dated June 4, 2018 

(referred to after this as the Mandatory 

Continuing Airworthiness Information, 

or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for certain Airbus SAS Model 

A350–941 airplanes. The MCAI states: 

Following a complete review of the Airbus 

A350 structure design principles database for 

type definition, it was revealed that the 

balancer fitting part, installed on the tail 

cone, lower section of Frame (FR) 103, has 

several corrosion resistant stainless steel nuts 

installed on elementary aluminium parts, 

which does not meet the requirements for 

protection against corrosion. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

reduce the structural integrity of the 

aeroplane. 

To address this unsafe condition, Airbus 

developed production mod 110319 to 

improve protection against corrosion, and 

issued the SB [Airbus Service Bulletin A350– 

53–P024] to provide modification 

instructions for in-service pre-mod 

aeroplanes. At the same time the production 

mod 110348 is equivalent to in-service 

solution. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires a modification, adding 

new additional overcoat sealant and elastic 

varnish on the affected nuts and fastener 

heads. 


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