Document ID: FAA-2021-0334-0007
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2021-09-07T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49903-49904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19245]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 49903]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0334; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01662-T; 
Amendment 39-21686; AD 2021-17-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was 
published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus 
SAS Model A318-111, -112, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -
113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model A320-211, -
212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. As published, the AD number 
specified in the preamble and regulatory text is incorrect. This 
document corrects this error. In all other respects, the original 
document remains the same.

DATES: This correction is effective October 5, 2021.
    The effective date of AD 2021-17-03 remains October 5, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 5, 
2021 (86 FR 48485, August 31, 2021).

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 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. 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0334.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0334; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; 
email Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AD 2021-17-03, Amendment 39-21686 (86 FR 
48485, August 31, 2021) (AD 2021-17-03), requires repetitive 
inspections for cracking at the left- (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of 
the fuselage skin at certain frames, and repair if necessary, as 
specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0280, 
dated December 14, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0280). That AD applies to certain 
Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model A320-
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes.

Need for the Correction

    As the AD was published, the AD number specified in the preamble 
and regulatory text is incorrect. AD 2021-17-03 incorrectly identified 
the AD number as 2017-17-03. The correct AD number for this AD is 2021-
17-03.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0280 describes procedures for doing repetitive 
external general visual inspections or special detailed inspections 
(i.e., phased array ultrasonic technology inspections of the external 
skin, or detailed inspections for primer/paint cracks and high 
frequency eddy current inspections of the internal skin) and repair for 
cracking at the LH and RH sides of the fuselage skin, above stringer 6 
from FR35 to FR47. 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.

Correction of Publication

    This document corrects an error in two locations and correctly adds 
the AD as an amendment to 14 CFR 39.13. Although no other part of the 
preamble or regulatory information has been corrected, the FAA is 
publishing the entire rule in the Federal Register.
    The effective date of this AD remains October 5, 2021.
    Since this action only corrects the AD number, it has no adverse 
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. 
Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are 
unnecessary.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Correction

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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   [Corrected]

0
2. The FAA corrects Sec.  39.13 by correcting the airworthiness 
directive published at 86 FR 48485 (August 31, 2021) to read:

2021-17-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21686; Docket No. FAA-2021-0334; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01662-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 5, 2021.

[[Page 49904]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-12-13, Amendment 39-18928 (82 FR 27983, 
June 20, 2017).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-
0280, dated December 14, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0280).
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, 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.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found during an 
inspection of the pocket radius of the fuselage frame, and a 
determination that similar cracks may develop in nearby areas of the 
fuselage frame and that additional airplanes are subject to the 
unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of 
the pocket radius, which could lead to in-flight decompression of 
the airplane and possible injury to the passengers.

(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 2020-0280.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0280

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0280 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2020-0280 specifies if any 
crack is found during any inspection to ``contact Airbus for 
approved repair instructions and accomplish those instructions 
accordingly,'' this AD requires if any cracking is found, the 
cracking must be repaired before further flight using a method 
approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 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) Where paragraph (10) of EASA AD 2020-0280 specifies credit 
for actions ``in accordance with the instructions of an Airbus 
Repair Design Approval Sheet (RDAS), [and to] accomplish the next 
inspection of each repaired area in accordance with the instructions 
of, and within the compliance time as specified in, the applicable 
RDAS,'' this AD requires using ``in accordance with repair 
instructions approved, and within the compliance time specified in 
the repair approval, using a method approved by the Manager, Large 
Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or 
Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.''
    (4) Where paragraph (11) of EASA AD 2020-0280 specifies 
terminating actions apply only if specified ``in the Airbus RDAS 
instructions for a repaired aeroplane,'' this AD requires using ``in 
repair instructions approved using a method approved by the Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or 
EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.''
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0280 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0280 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus 
SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are 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 procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3223; email Sanjay.Ralhan@faa.gov.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 5, 2021 (86 FR 48485, August 31, 2021).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0280, 
dated December 14, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) For EASA AD 2020-0280, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (5) You may view this service information 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.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 1, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19245 Filed 9-1-21; 4:15 pm]
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