44660 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 154 / Friday, August 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model 

A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, 

A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII 

helicopters, certificated in any category, with 

an affected part as identified in European 

Aviation Safety Agency (now European 

Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 

2018–0280, dated December 17, 2018 (EASA 

AD 2018–0280). 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Codes: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control; 6730, 

Rotorcraft Servo System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

damage to a rigid connecting link (rod), and 

loosening of the nut on the upper rod end. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

damage to the rod, and loosening of the nut 

on the upper rod end. The unsafe condition, 

if not addressed, could result in failure of the 

rod, possibly resulting in reduced control of 

the helicopter. 

(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 2018–0280. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018–0280 

(1) Where EASA AD 2018–0280 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2018–0280 requires 

compliance from its effective date, this AD 

requires using the effective date of this AD. 

(3) Where EASA AD 2018–0280 specifies 

action if ‘‘any discrepancy’’ is found, for this 

AD, discrepancies include damage, cracks, 

and evidence of abnormal play. 

(4) Where the service information specified 

in EASA AD 2018–0280 specifies to ‘‘replace 

the damaged connecting link’’, for this AD, 

if any damage or cracks are found, remove 

the rod from service. 

(5) Where the service information specified 

in EASA AD 2018–0280 specifies to ‘‘contact 

Leonardo Helicopters’’ if abnormal play is 

detected, for this AD if any abnormal play is 

detected, corrective action must be 

accomplished using a method approved by 

the Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a.’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

If approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(6) Where EASA AD 2018–0280 requires 

reporting inspection results to Leonardo 

S.p.a. within 14 days after the effective date 

of EASA AD 2018–0280, this AD requires 

reporting inspection results at the applicable 

time in paragraph (h)(6)(i) or (ii) of this AD. 

(i) If the inspection was done on or after 

the effective date of this AD: Submit the 

report within 14 days after the inspection. 

(ii) If the inspection was done before the 

effective date of this AD: Submit the report 

within 14 days after the effective date of this 

AD. 

(7) This AD does not require the 

‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 2018–0280. 

(i) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits, as described in 14 

CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) 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 local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-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 EASA AD 2018–0280, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; 

email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the FAA, Office of the Regional 

Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

This material may be found in the AD docket 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0659. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 

(516) 228–7323; email: Darren.Gassetto@

faa.gov. 

Issued on August 4, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17046 Filed 8–12–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0660; Project 

Identifier AD–2021–00398–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Learjet Inc. 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. 

This proposed AD was prompted by a 

report of a fuel leak due to a cracked 

fuel line between the engine fuel control 

and the engine fuel flow meter. This 

proposed AD would require replacing 

the existing fuel flow meter bracket 

assembly with a redesigned bracket 

assembly and reporting information to 

the FAA. 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 September 27, 

2021. 

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 

https://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 Learjet Inc., One 

Learjet Way, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 

(316) 946–2000; email: ac.ict@

aero.bombardier.com; website: https:// 

businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en/ 

aircraft/Learjet.html. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, MO 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 154 / Friday, August 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules 44661 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0660; 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, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

James Galstad, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 S 

Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; 

phone: (316) 946–4135; email: 

james.galstad@faa.gov or Wichita-COS@

faa.gov; or Thomas Teplik, Aviation 

Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, 

FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 

67209; phone: (316) 946–4196; email: 

thomas.teplik@faa.gov or Wichita-COS@

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 ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0660; Project Identifier AD– 

2021–00398–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 https:// 

www.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 James Galstad, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, or Thomas 

Teplik, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 S 

Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives 

which is not specifically designated as 

CBI will be placed in the public docket 

for this rulemaking. 

Background 

The FAA received a report of a fuel 

leak due to a cracked fuel line between 

the engine fuel control and the engine 

fuel flow meter on a Learjet Model 45 

(Learjet 45) airplane. There are four 

different Model 45 configurations: 

Model 45 (Learjet 40), Model 45 (Learjet 

45), Model 45 (Learjet 70), and Model 45 

(Learjet 75). They all are susceptible to 

cracked fuel lines with possible fuel 

leakage because the fuel flow meter 

bracket and fuel line is common to each 

model. Further analysis of the fleet of all 

the 45 models revealed similar failures 

in this area including the following: 16 

fuel line failures, 2 instances of multiple 

inlet attaching bolts breaking, 9 leaking 

fuel controls, a broken gearbox strut, 4 

cracked No. 6 bearing oil supply lines, 

and 7 cracked engine oil tanks. The 

FAA evaluated the flammable fluid 

leaks and broken parts and determined 

that they may have resulted from 

vibration. 

Following the above report and 

analysis, Learjet designed a new engine 

fuel flow meter bracket and 

incorporated it during production. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could result in an engine installation 

fire, which could progress to an 

uncontrolled fire and consequent loss of 

control of the airplane. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Bombardier 

Learjet 40 Service Bulletin (SB) SB 40– 

73–01, Revision 1, Bombardier Learjet 

45 SB 45–73–2, Revision 1, Bombardier 

Learjet 70 SB 70–73–01, Revision 1, and 

Bombardier Learjet 75 SB 75–73–01, 

Revision 2, all dated January 9, 2017. 

This service information specifies 

procedures for replacing the existing 

fuel flow meter bracket assembly with a 

redesigned bracket assembly with pad 

fuel flow meter that has an increased 

material thickness. These documents are 

distinct since they apply to different 

airplane models. 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 ADDRESSES. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information already 

described, except as discussed under 

‘‘Differences Between this Proposed AD 

and the Service Information.’’ 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

This proposed AD would require 

reporting certain maintenance 

information to the FAA, where the 

service information does not. The 

information provided in the reports 

would be related to contributing factors 

that the FAA found showed a 

correlation between the reported engine 

fan vibration levels and the cracking 

fuel line between engine fuel control 

and the engine fuel flow meter and a 

correlation between the cracking fuel 

line and a certain batch of fan disks. In 

addition, the FAA found that a 

contributing factor could be the 

susceptibility of the fuel flow meter 

bracket assembly and the susceptibility 

of the bracket assembly with pad fuel 

flow meter to the vibration induced. The 

requested reporting information would 

allow the FAA to determine whether 

further rulemaking action would be 

necessary to mitigate the unsafe 

condition. 

Also, the effectivity of Bombardier 

Learjet 45 SB 45–73–2, Revision 1, 

dated January 9, 2017, begins with serial 

number 45–005. This proposed AD 

would also apply to airplane serial 

numbers 45–002 through 45–004 

because, although these three airplanes 

are not currently in service, they are 

subject to the unsafe condition. Thus, it 

is necessary to include them in the 

event they are returned to service. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 443 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this proposed AD: 


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44662 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 154 / Friday, August 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Replacing the bracket assembly .................. 4.5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $382.50 .. $3,895 ................ $4,277.50 $1,894,932.50 

Reporting and reviewing logbooks ............... 9 work-hours × $85 per hour = $765 .......... Not Applicable .... 765 338,895 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

A federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, nor shall a person be subject 

to a penalty for failure to comply with 

a collection of information subject to the 

requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act unless that collection of 

information displays a current valid 

OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public 

reporting for this collection of 

information is estimated to take 

approximately 9 hours per response, 

including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data 

sources, gathering and maintaining the 

data needed, and completing and 

reviewing the collection of information. 

All responses to this collection of 

information are mandatory. Send 

comments regarding this burden 

estimate or any other aspect of this 

collection of information, including 

suggestions for reducing this burden, to: 

Information Collection Clearance 

Officer, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 10101 Hillwood 

Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177–1524. 

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 tween 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 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

Learjet Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2021–0660; 

Project Identifier AD–2021–00398–T. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by September 

27, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Learjet Inc. Model 45 

(Learjet 40), Model 45 (Learjet 45), Model 45 

(Learjet 70), and Model 45 (Learjet 75) 

airplanes, serial numbers 45–002 through 45– 

556 and 45–2001 through 45–2146, 

certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 7100, Powerplant System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of a fuel 

leak due to a cracked fuel line between the 

engine fuel control and the engine fuel flow 

meter. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 

cracking and failures. The unsafe condition, 

if not addressed, could result in an engine 

installation fire, which could progress to an 

uncontrolled fire and consequent loss of 

control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Reporting Requirement 

Within 60 days after the effective date of 

this AD, report the following information, 

where available, to the Wichita ACO Branch 

via email at james.galstad@faa.gov, 

thomas.teplik@faa.gov, and Wichita-COS@

faa.gov; or by mail to Wichita ACO Branch, 

Attn: James Galstad/Thomas Teplik, 1801 S 

Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209. 

(1) Name of the owner; the address of the 

owner; name of the organization doing the 

actions required by this AD; the date the 

actions were completed; the name of the 

person submitting the report; the address, 

telephone number, and email of the person 

submitting the report. 

(2) The fan vibration levels that have been 

recorded in the airplane and engine 

maintenance records since November 1, 

2019. Include the airplane and engine serial 

numbers. 

(3) The date of each vibration level 

recorded and the associated hours time-inservice for the airplane and each engine. 

(4) For each fan vibration level reported, 

include: 

(i) Whether molybdenum coating for the 

fan was applied per Temporary Revision 72– 

494, dated August 15, 2017 (or as 

subsequently incorporated into the engine’s 

Inspection/Repair Manual TFE731 (ATA 

Number 72–IR–02). 

(ii) If molybdenum coating was applied 

using a different process than Temporary 

Revision 72–494, dated August 15, 2017 (or 

as subsequently incorporated into the 

engine’s Inspection/Repair Manual TFE731 

(ATA Number 72–IR–02), report the process 

by which the molybdenum coating was 

applied and the revision level of the 

document defining the application process 

for the molybdenum coating. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g)(4): Temporary 

Revision 72–494, dated August 15, 2017, 

specifies applying a dry film lubricant on the 

mating surfaces of the fan hub and the fan 

blades. The lubricating solid for this dry film 

lubricant is molybdenum disulfide, which is 

referred to in this AD as molybdenum 

coating. 


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(5) For each fan vibration level reported, 

the fan hub serial number and hours time-inservice for this fan hub. 

(6) Installation date and service bulletin 

(SB) revision level for the installation of the 

bracket assembly with pad fuel flow meter 

and hose if installed before the effective date 

of this AD. 

(7) Any failures of the bracket assembly 

with pad fuel flow meter and hose installed 

in accordance with any SB listed in 

paragraph (h) or any prior revision of these 

SBs. 

(8) Installation date and SB revision level 

used for installation of the fuel control 

screws within the engine fuel control in 

accordance with Honeywell SB TFE731–73– 

5146 

(9) Any failures of fuel control screws after 

compliance with Honeywell SB TFE731–73– 

5146. 

(h) Replacement 

Within 12 months after the effective date 

of this AD or 750 hours time-in-service after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs first, replace the engine fuel flow 

meter bracket in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 

3.A through 3.C, of the following Bombardier 

SB applicable to your airplane model. 

(1) Bombardier Learjet 40 SB 40–73–01, 

Revision 1, dated January 9, 2017. 

(2) Bombardier Learjet 45 SB 45–73–2 

Revision 1, dated January 9, 2017. 

(3) Bombardier Learjet 70 SB 70–73–01 

Revision 1, dated January 9, 2017. 

(4) Bombardier Learjet 75 SB 75–73–01, 

Revision 2, dated January 9, 2017. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using Bombardier 

Learjet 40 SB 40–73–01, Basic Issue, 

Bombardier Learjet 45 Service Bulletin SB 

45–73–2, Basic Issue, Bombardier Learjet 70 

SB 70–73–01, Basic Issue, or Bombardier 

Learjet 75 SB 75–73–01, Basic Issue, all dated 

October 3, 2016, or Bombardier Learjet 75 SB 

75–73–01, Revision 1, dated October 10, 

2016. 

(2) To take credit for any previous action, 

you must comply with paragraph (g) of this 

AD within 60 days after the effective date of 

this AD. 

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Wichita 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 appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the manager of the 

certification office, send it to the attention of 

the person identified in Related Information. 

(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 James Galstad, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 S 

Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 

(316) 946–4135; email: james.galstad@

faa.gov or Wichita-COS@faa.gov; or Thomas 

Teplik, Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita 

ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, 

Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946–4196; 

email: thomas.teplik@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Learjet Inc., One Learjet 

Way, Wichita, KS, 67209; phone: (316) 946– 

2000; email: ac.ict@aero.bombardier.com; 

website: https:// 

businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en/aircraft/ 

Learjet.html. You may view this referenced 

service information at the FAA, 

Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 

64106. For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

Issued on August 5, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17044 Filed 8–12–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0663; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01618–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2016–17–12, which applies to all Airbus 

SAS Model A318 series airplanes; 

Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, 

–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes; 

Model A320–211, –212, –214, –231, 

–232, and –233 airplanes; and Model 

A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212, 

–213, –231, and –232 airplanes. AD 

2016–17–12 requires inspecting certain 

trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuators 

(THSAs) to determine the number of 

total flight cycles the THSA has 

accumulated, and replacing the THSA if 

necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 

2016–17–12, the FAA has determined 

that new or more restrictive 

airworthiness limitations are necessary. 

This proposed AD would require 

revising the existing maintenance or 

inspection program, as applicable, to 

incorporate new or more restrictive 

airworthiness limitations, as specified 

in a European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed 

for incorporation by reference. 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 September 27, 

2021. 

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 

https://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 EASA material that will be 

incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 

AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 

telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 

ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

IBR material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus 

service information identified in this 

proposed AD, 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 https://www.airbus.com. You 

may view this IBR 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. 

It is also available in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0663. For the UTC Aerospace Systems 

material identified in this proposed AD 

that will not be incorporated by 

reference, contact Collins Aerospace, 

Product Support Department 13, 

Avenue de L’Eguillette—Saint-Ouen 

L’Aumone, Boite Postale 7186 95056 

Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France; 

telephone 1–877–808–7575; email crc@

collins.com; internet https://

www.collinsaerospace.com/support. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https:// 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS