Document ID: FAA-2015-8136-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-04-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21730-21732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08366]

[[Page 21730]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8136; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-189-AD; 
Amendment 39-18480; AD 2016-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of missing fasteners in certain locations of the fuselage during 
production. This AD would require inspecting for missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed fasteners; and corrective actions if necessary. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage 
due to missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8136.

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-2015-
8136; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A330-
223F and -243F airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
January 4, 2016 (81 FR 22) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report of missing fasteners in certain locations of the fuselage during 
production. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting for missing, 
damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners; and corrective actions if 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the 
fuselage due to missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0197, dated September 4, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A330-223F and -243F airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During inspection of various fuselage areas on some A330-200F 
aeroplanes on the production line, prior to delivery, some fasteners 
were found missing.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
crack initiation and propagation, possibly resulting in reduced 
structural integrity of the fuselage.
    To address this condition, Airbus issued several Service 
Bulletins (SB), providing inspection and modification instructions, 
as applicable.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
detailed inspections of the affected areas and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective actions.

    Corrective actions include replacing any missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed fasteners, and repair of any discrepancy 
(deformation or cracking of the fastener rows) of the affected fuselage 
frame areas. 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-2015-8136.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Airbus service information, which 
describes procedures for inspecting for missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed fasteners; and corrective actions.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3202, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3212, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3213, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3214, dated May 6, 2014.
    We also reviewed the following Airbus service information, which 
describes procedures for modification of certain sections of the 
fuselage.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3216, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3217, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3218, dated May 6, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3219, dated May 6, 2014.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 10 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic inspection requirements of this AD, and 1 
work-

[[Page 21731]]

hour per product to report inspection findings. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $2,805, or $935 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary modification will take 
about 40 work-hours and require parts costing $210, for a cost of 
$3,610 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this action.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
a cost estimate for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.

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 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 control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2016-08-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-18480; Docket No. FAA-2015-8136; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-189-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes, 
certificated in any category; manufacturer serial numbers 1004, 
1032, 1051, 1062, 1070, 1092, 1115, 1136, 1148, 1164, 1175, 1180, 
1320, 1332, 1344, 1350, 1368, 1380, 1386, 1406, 1414, 1418, and 
1428.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of missing fasteners in certain 
locations of the fuselage during production. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent cracking of the fuselage due to missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed fasteners, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the fuselage.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Detailed Inspection

    Within 72 months since first flight of the airplane: Do a 
detailed inspection of all applicable fuselage zones for missing, 
damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3202, dated May 6, 2014.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3212, dated May 6, 2014.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3213, dated May 6, 2014.
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3214, dated May 6, 2014.

(h) Corrective Actions

    If any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed fastener is 
found during the detailed inspection required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, before further flight, do a detailed inspection for 
discrepancies (deformation or cracking) of the adjacent fastener 
rows of the applicable fuselage zones, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) If no discrepancy is found, before further flight, modify 
the affected fuselage zone, in accordance with the applicable 
service information specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through 
(h)(1)(iv) of this AD.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3216, dated May 6, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3217, dated May 6, 2014.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3218, dated May 6, 2014.
    (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3219, dated May 6, 2014.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found, before further flight, repair 
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).

(i) Reporting Requirement

    Submit a report (including both positive and negative findings) 
to Airbus, Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex France, Attn: SDC32 Technical Data and 
Documentation Services; fax: (+33) 5 61 93 28 06; email: 
sb.reporting@airbus.com; at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must include the 
information specified in the inspection report of the applicable 
service information

[[Page 21732]]

specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes on which the inspection specified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD is accomplished on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after performing the 
inspection.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection specified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD is accomplished before the effective date of this AD: 
Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International 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: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 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 EASA; 
or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: 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 be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.
    (4) Required for Compliance (RC): 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

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0197, dated September 4, 2014, 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-2015-8136.

(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.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3202, dated May 6, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3212, dated May 6, 2014.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3213, dated May 6, 2014.
    (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3214, dated May 6, 2014.
    (v) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3216, dated May 6, 2014.
    (vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3217, dated May 6, 2014.
    (vii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3218, dated May 6, 2014.
    (viii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3219, dated May 6, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08366 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P