44514 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on 

August 22, 2018. 

James Cashdollar, 

Acting Director, System Oversight Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–18814 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0764; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–074–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 all 

Airbus SAS Model A330–200 Freighter 

series airplanes, Model A330–200 and 

–300 series airplanes, and Model A340– 

200 and –300 series airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by defects 

found during production tests of ram air 

turbine (RAT) units; investigation 

revealed that the defects were due to 

certain RAT hydraulic pumps having an 

alternative manufacturing process of the 

pump pistons. This proposed AD would 

require replacing any defective RAT 

hydraulic pump with a serviceable part 

and re-identifying the RAT module part 

number. We are proposing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 15, 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—EIAS, RondPoint Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 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 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– 

0764; 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: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax: 206–231–3229. 

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– 

2018–0764; Product Identifier 2018– 

NM–074–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 AD 2018–0062, 

dated March 20, 2018 (referred to after 

this as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for all Airbus SAS Model A330–200 

Freighter series airplanes, Model A330– 

200 and –300 series airplanes, and 

Model A340–200 and –300 series 

airplanes. The MCAI states: 

Four A330 RAT units were returned to the 

supplier due to low discharge pressure. 

These defects were detected during Airbus 

production tests. Subsequent investigations 

by the RAT manufacturer UTAS (formerly 

Hamilton Sundstrand) revealed that some 

RAT hydraulic pumps, [part number] P/N 

5916430, were involved in an alternative 

manufacturing process of the pump pistons. 

This resulted in form deviations (rough 

surface finish and sharp edges), which 

caused excessive wear and damage to the 

bore where the pistons moved. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to low performance of the pump, possibly 

resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane, 

particularly if occurring following a total 

engine flame out, or during a total loss of 

normal electrical power generation. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Airbus published [service bulletin] SB A330– 

29–3130 and SB A340–29–4098, providing 

instructions for identification and 

replacement of the affected parts. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires replacement of the 

affected parts. This [EASA] AD also requires 

re-identification of the RAT module. 

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– 

0764. 

Other Related Rulemaking 

The FAA issued AD 2016–14–01, 

Amendment 39–18582 (81 FR 44983, 

July 12, 2016); corrected (81 FR 51097, 

August 3, 2016) (‘‘AD 2016–14–01’’). AD 

2016–14–01 applies to certain Airbus 

SAS Model A330–200 Freighter series 

airplanes; Model A330–200 and A330– 

300 series airplanes; Model A340–200 

and A340–300 series airplanes; Model 

A340–500 series airplanes; and Model 

A340–600 series airplanes. AD 2016– 

14–01 requires identification of the 

manufacturer, part number, and serial 

number of the RAT, and reidentification and modification of the 

RAT if necessary. AD 2016–14–01 was 

prompted by a report indicating that, 

during an operational test of a RAT, the 

RAT did not deploy in automatic mode. 

AD 2016–14–01 was issued to prevent 

non-deployment of the RAT, which, 

following a total engine flame-out, or 

during a total loss of normal electrical 

power generation, could result in 

reduced control of the airplane. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus SAS has issued Service 

Bulletins A330–29–3130 and A340–29– 

4098, both dated May 3, 2017. This 

service information describes 

procedures for replacing any affected 

RAT hydraulic pump with a serviceable 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Proposed Rules 44515 

part and re-identifying the RAT module 

part number. These documents are 

distinct since they apply to different 

airplane models. 

UTC Aerospace Systems has issued 

Service Bulletin ERPS06M–29–22, dated 

March 17, 2017, and Revision 1, dated 

June 27, 2017. This service information 

identifies affected part and serial 

numbers for the RAT hydraulic pump. 

These documents are distinct since UTC 

Aerospace Systems Service Bulletin 

ERPS06M–29–22, Revision 1, dated 

June 27, 2017, adds a Parker part 

number reference to each Hamilton 

Sundstrand hydraulic part number. 

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. 

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 103 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 

Up to 14 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $1,190 .............. $0 Up to $1,190 ........................... Up to $122,570. 

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): 

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA–2018–0764; 

Product Identifier 2018–NM–074–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by October 15, 

2018. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD affects AD 2016–14–01, 

Amendment 39–18582 (81 FR 44983, July 12, 

2016); corrected (81 FR 51097, August 3, 

2016) (‘‘AD 2016–14–01’’). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the airplanes identified 

in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), and 

(c)(5) of this AD, certificated in any category, 

all manufacturer serial numbers. 

(1) Airbus SAS Model A330–223F and 

–243F airplanes. 

(2) Airbus SAS Model A330–201, –202, 

–203, –223, and –243 airplanes. 

(3) Airbus SAS Model A330–301, –302, 

–303, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 

airplanes. 

(4) Airbus SAS Model A340–211, –212, 

–213 airplanes. 

(5) Airbus SAS Model A340–311, –312, 

and –313 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 29, Hydraulic Power. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by defects found 

during production tests of ram air turbine 

(RAT) units; investigation revealed that the 

defects were due to certain RAT hydraulic 

pumps having an alternative manufacturing 

process of the pump pistons. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent low performance of the 

pump, which, following a total engine flameout, or during a total loss of normal electrical 

power generation, could result in reduced 

control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
44516 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

(g) Definitions for This AD 

(1) An affected part is a RAT hydraulic 

pump having part number (P/N) 5916430 and 

a serial number identified in UTC Aerospace 

Systems Service Bulletin ERPS06M–29–22, 

dated March 17, 2017, or Revision 1, dated 

June 27, 2017. 

(2) A serviceable part is a RAT hydraulic 

pump identified as acceptable in Airbus 

Service Bulletin A330–29–3130 or A340–29– 

4098, both dated May 3, 2017, as applicable. 

(3) Group 1 airplanes are airplanes on 

which an affected part is installed. 

(4) Group 2 airplanes are airplanes on 

which no affected part is installed. A Model 

A330 airplane on which Airbus SAS 

Modification 206604 has been embodied in 

production is a Group 2 airplane, provided 

that the airplane remains in that 

configuration. 

(h) Replacement and Re-identification for 

Group 1 Airplanes 

(1) Within 18 months after the effective 

date of this AD; replace any affected RAT 

hydraulic pump with a serviceable part, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330– 

29–3130 or A340–29–4098, both dated May 

3, 2017, as applicable. 

(2) Concurrently with the replacement 

required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, reidentify the part number of the serviceable 

RAT module, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A330–29–3130 or A340–29– 

4098, both dated May 3, 2017, as applicable. 

Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: 

Airbus Service Bulletins A330–29–3130 and 

A340–29–4098, both dated May 3, 2017, 

provide guidance for re-identification of the 

part numbers of the RAT hydraulic pumps 

that are not affected, and the part numbers 

of the RAT modules that are not equipped 

with an affected hydraulic pump. 

(i) Compliance With AD 2016–14–01 

After re-identification of a RAT module on 

an airplane, as required by paragraph (h)(2) 

of this AD, the airplane remains compliant 

with the RAT module re-identification 

requirements of AD 2016–14–01 for that 

airplane. 

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition 

(1) For Group 1 airplanes: After 

replacement of any affected RAT hydraulic 

pump as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this 

AD, do not install any affected RAT 

hydraulic pump. 

(2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the 

effective date of this AD, do not install any 

affected RAT hydraulic pump. 

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 

has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 

AD, if requested using the procedures found 

in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 

39.19, send your request to your principal 

inspector or local Flight Standards District 

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 

directly to the International Branch, send it 

to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@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 Section, 

Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or The 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 

Airbus SAS’s EASA DOA. If approved by the 

DOA, the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2018–0062, dated March 20, 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–2018–0764. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace 

Engineer, International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and 

fax: 206–231–3229. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 

No: 2, 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 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 16, 2018. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Director, System Oversight Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–18811 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0762; Product 

Identifier 2018–NM–033–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 supersede 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016–07– 

23, which applies to all Airbus SAS 

Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 

series airplanes. AD 2016–07–23 

requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive 

replacements of the fixed fairing upper 

and lower attachment studs of both the 

left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) main 

landing gear (MLG); and repetitive 

inspections for corrosion, wear, fatigue 

cracking, and loose studs of each 

forward stud assembly of the fixed 

fairing door upper and lower forward 

attachments of both the LH and RH 

MLG; and replacement if necessary. AD 

2016–07–23 also provides an optional 

terminating modification for the 

repetitive replacements of the fixed 

fairing upper and lower attachment 

studs. Since we issued AD 2016–07–23, 

we have determined that for some 

airplane configurations, associated fixed 

fairing assembly part numbers 

susceptible to fatigue cracking were not 

listed in certain service information 

required by AD 2016–07–23. In 

addition, we have determined that 

additional work is necessary to reidentify the fixed fairing assembly part 

number on certain airplanes. This 

proposed AD would retain the 

requirements of AD 2016–07–23 and, for 

certain airplanes, require reidentification of the LH and RH fixed 

fairing assemblies’ part numbers. We are 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 15, 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—EIAS, RondPoint Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 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., 


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