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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8023-8026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03133]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3696; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-113-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a report of a partial loss of the no-back brake 
(NBB) efficiency during endurance qualification tests on the trimmable 
horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA). This proposed AD would require 
inspecting certain THSAs to determine

[[Page 8024]]

the number of total flight cycles the THSA has accumulated, and 
replacing the THSA if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
premature wear of the carbon friction disks on the NBB of the THSA, 
which could lead to reduced braking efficiency in certain load 
conditions, and, in conjunction with the inability of the power gear 
train to keep the ball screw in its last commanded position, could 
result in uncommanded movements of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer 
and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 4, 2016.

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 NPRM, contact Airbus, 
Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 
51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
3696; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
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 Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-3696; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-113-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0080, dated May 7, 2015 (referred to after 
this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A318, 
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During endurance qualification tests on A380 Trimmable 
Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator (THSA), a partial loss of the no-back 
brake (NBB) efficiency was experienced. Investigation results 
concluded that this particular malfunction was due to an ageing/
endurance issue of the surfaces of the NBB carbon friction disks, 
leading to a partial loss of braking efficiency in some specific 
aerodynamic load conditions.
    Due to design similarity on A320 family fleet, the same tests 
were initiated by the THSA manufacturer on certain SA type THSA, 
sampled from the field. Subject tests confirmed that THSA Part 
Number (P/N) 47145 series, as installed on A320 family aeroplanes, 
are also affected by this partial loss of NBB efficiency.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, and in 
conjunction with the power gear train not able to keep the ball 
screw in its last commanded position, could lead to an uncommanded 
movement of the THS, possibly resulting in loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
[inspecting certain THSAs to determine the number of total flight 
cycles the THSA has accumulated and replacing THSAs having certain 
total flight cycles.] * * * .

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
3696.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27-1242, dated February 9, 
2015. The service information describes procedures for replacing the 
THSA with a serviceable THSA. 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 and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Explanation of Compliance Times

    The MCAI requires operators to replace certain THSAs by certain 
dates. The replacements are done for THSAs exceeding a certain flight 
cycle limit corresponding to each date. EASA determined that 
accomplishing the replacements by these dates is necessary in order to 
address the identified unsafe condition. Therefore, we are also 
specifying compliance dates in this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 959 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $81,515, or $85 
per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 21 work-hours and require parts costing $26,500, for a cost 
of $28,285 per product. We have no way of

[[Page 8025]]

determining the number of aircraft that might need this action.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-3696; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
113-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 4, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and 
(c)(4) of this AD, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a partial loss of the no-
back brake (NBB) efficiency during endurance qualification tests on 
the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA). We are issuing 
this AD to prevent premature wear of the carbon friction disks on 
the NBB of the THSA, which could lead to reduced braking efficiency 
in certain load conditions, and, in conjunction with the inability 
of the power gear train to keep the ball screw in its last commanded 
position, could result in uncommanded movements of the trimmable 
horizontal stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection To Determine THSA Part Number and Accumulated Total 
Flight Cycles

    Not later than each date specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through 
(g)(5) of this AD: Inspect the THSA to determine if it has a part 
number (P/N) 47145-(XXX), and, if any THSA P/N 47145-(XXX) is found, 
determine the total number of flight cycles accumulated since the 
THSA's first installation on an airplane, or since the most recent 
NBB replacement, whichever is later. A review of airplane delivery 
or maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if 
the part number of the THSA can be conclusively determined from that 
review. In case maintenance records concerning the most recent NBB 
disk replacement are unavailable or incomplete, the total flight 
cycles accumulated since first installation of the THSA on an 
airplane apply.
    (1) As of the effective date of this AD: The THSA flight-cycle 
limit (since first installation on an airplane, or since the most 
recent NBB replacement, whichever is later) is 40,000 total flight 
cycles.
    (2) As of December 31, 2016: The THSA flight-cycle limit (since 
first installation on an airplane, or since the most recent NBB 
replacement, whichever is later) is 36,000 total flight cycles.
    (3) As of December 31, 2017: The THSA flight-cycle limit (since 
first installation on an airplane, or since the most recent NBB 
replacement, whichever is later) is 33,600 total flight cycles.
    (4) As of December 31, 2018: The THSA flight-cycle limit (since 
first installation on an airplane, or since the most recent NBB 
replacement, whichever is later) is 31,600 total flight cycles.
    (5) As of December 31, 2019: The THSA flight-cycle limit (since 
first installation on an airplane, or since the most recent NBB 
replacement, whichever is later) is 30,000 total flight cycles.

(h) Replacements

    For airplanes with any THSA P/N 47145-(XXX): Do the replacements 
required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Not later than each date specified in paragraphs (g)(1) 
through (g)(5) of this AD, replace all THSA that have reached or 
exceeded on each date the corresponding number of flight cycles 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this AD. Do the 
replacement in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1242, dated February 9, 2015. 
Affected THSAs must be replaced with serviceable THSAs.
    (2) As of each date specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through 
(g)(5) of this AD, and before exceeding the flight cycle limit 
corresponding to each date, as applicable: Replace each THSA with a 
serviceable THSA, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1242, dated February 9, 2015.

(i) Definition of Serviceable THSA

    For the purposes of this AD: A serviceable THSA is a THSA that 
has not exceeded the applicable flight-cycle-limits, as specified 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this AD, since first 
installation of the THSA on an airplane or since last NBB 
replacement, whichever is later.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Guidance for NBB disc 
replacement can be found in UTC Aerospace Systems Service Bulletin 
47145-27-17, Revision 1, dated July 21, 2015.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of each date specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of 
this AD, as applicable, installation of a THSA P/N 47145-(XXX) is 
allowed on an airplane, provided the THSA is a serviceable THSA.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International

[[Page 8026]]

Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; fax 425-227-1149. Information may be 
emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Special Flight Permits

    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 not allowed.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0080, dated May 7, 2015, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3696.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03133 Filed 2-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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