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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2320; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00268-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
 SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
                        ( print page 79478)
                        certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an updated stress analysis on the forward (FWD) cargo door and its attachment piano hinges that revealed a risk of cracking and crack propagation on piano hinges 2 and 3, originating from opening-closing fatigue cycles of the FWD cargo door. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the affected parts, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
 DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 14, 2024.
 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 
                        *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. *AD Docket:*
                         You may examine the AD docket at 
                        *regulations.gov*
                         under Docket No. FAA-2024-2320; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. *Material Incorporated by Reference:* For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email*ADs@easa.europa.eu;*
                         website 
                        *easa.europa.eu.*
                         You may find this material on the EASA website at 
                        *ad.easa.europa.eu.*
                         It is also available at 
                        *regulations.gov*
                         under Docket No. FAA-2024-2320.
                    You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 
                        *dat.v.le@faa.gov*.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2024-2320; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00268-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
                    *regulations.gov,*
                     including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 
                    *dat.v.le@faa.gov.*
                     Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0129, dated July 5, 2024 (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. The MCAI states an update of the stress analysis resulted in a new definition of interface load distribution between the FWD cargo door and the associated fuselage piano hinges. Further investigation revealed a risk of cracking and crack propagation on the affected parts, originating from opening-closing fatigue cycles of the FWD cargo door. Under this condition, door operation could cause damage to the FWD cargo door surrounding structure. The FAA is proposing this AD to address damage to the FWD cargo door surrounding structure, which could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at 
                    *regulations.gov*
                     under Docket No. FAA-2024-2320. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 EASA AD 2024-0129 specifies procedures for performing a detailed inspection for cracks and damage (including dents, discoloration, punctures, nicks, and scratches) of the FWD cargo door piano hinges 2 and 3, and obtaining and following instructions for repair of cracks and damage. EASA AD 2024-0129 also specifies procedures for checking the condition and integrity of the temporary protection system (TPS) layer, if installed, removing any damaged TPS layer, and applying a new layer if the TPS layer was damaged, removed, or cleaned. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
                    **ADDRESSES**
                     section. FAA's Determination This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2024-0129 described previously, except for any differences 
                    ( print page 79479)
                    identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Explanation of Required Compliance Information In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0129 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, requires compliance with EASA AD 2024-0129 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0129 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in EASA AD 2024-0129. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0129 for compliance will be available at 
                    *regulations.gov*
                     under Docket No. FAA-2024-2320 after the FAA final rule is published. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 28 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
                             product
Cost on U.S.
                             operatorsInspection (cargo door piano hinges) and TPS layer check
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85
$0
$85
$2,380
 The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD. Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation
Aircraft
Aviation safety
Incorporation by reference
Safety
 The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
 1.The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority:
                    49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13
 2.The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: **Airbus SAS:**
                         Docket No. FAA-2024-2320; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00268-T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by November 14, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0129, dated July 5, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0129). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an updated stress analysis on the forward (FWD) cargo door and its attachment piano hinges that revealed a risk of cracking and crack propagation on piano hinges 2 and 3, originating from opening-closing fatigue cycles of the FWD cargo door. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential failure of the piano hinges due to cracking. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the FWD cargo door surrounding structure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0129. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0129 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0129 refers to “16 May 2024 [the effective date of EASA AD 2024-0098],” this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0129 specifies “if, during the DET as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any crack or damage is detected, before next flight, contact Airbus for approved instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, 
                        ( print page 79480)
                        accomplish those instructions accordingly,” this AD requires replacing that text with “if any crack or damage is detected, the crack or damage must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.” (3) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0129. (i) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) 
                        *Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs):*
                         The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
                        *AMOC@faa.gov.*
                         Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) 
                        *Contacting the Manufacturer:*
                         For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (3) 
                        *Required for Compliance (RC):*
                         Except as required by paragraphs (h)(2) and (i)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0129 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs, including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the instructions identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email 
                        *dat.v.le@faa.gov*. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0129, dated July 5, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2024-0129 identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
                        *ADs@easa.europa.eu;*
                         website 
                        *easa.europa.eu.*
                         You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at 
                        *ad.easa.europa.eu.* (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit 
                        *www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations*
                         or email 
                        *fr.inspection@nara.gov.* Issued on September 23, 2024. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service.


[FR Doc. 2024-22180 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P