Document ID: FAA-2016-9071-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-09-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62035-62037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21282]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9071; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-019-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 
certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder 
(DAH) which indicates that the main landing gear (MLG) does not comply 
with certification specifications, which could result in a locking 
failure of the MLG side stay. This proposed AD would require 
modification or replacement of certain MLG side stay assemblies. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent possible collapse of the MLG during 
takeoff and landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 24, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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-
9071; 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-2016-9071; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-019-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 AD 
2016-0018, dated January 19, 2016 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During studies for a new landing gear design, it was discovered 
that the single-locked upper and lower cardan joints of the MLG do 
not comply with the certification specifications of (CS), (formerly 
Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR)) Part 25.607.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to MLG side stay 
locking failure that, during take-off and landing, may result in 
damage to the aeroplane and detrimental effect on safe flight.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, the MLG manufacturer 
developed a modification to change the single-locked MLG joint into 
a double-locked one. This modification is available for in-service 
application through Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (MBD) Service Bulletin 
(SB) 200-32-315 or SB 201-32-63, or Airbus SB A320-32-1429.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification or replacement of the MLG side stay assemblies to 
introduce the double locking of the MLG upper and lower cardan 
joints.

    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-
9071.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We have reviewed the following service information. The service 
information describes procedures for modifying the MLG side stay 
assembly.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1429, dated September 10, 
2015.
     Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin 200-32-315, dated 
April 24, 2015.
     Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin 201-32-63, dated 
April 24, 2015.
    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.

[[Page 62036]]

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    The MCAI allows modification to the MLG in accordance with the 
following Airbus service information or the applicable Messier-Bugatti-
Dowty service information:
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1429, dated September 10, 
2015;
     Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin 200-32-315, dated 
April 24, 2015;
     Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin 201-32-63, dated 
April 24, 2015.
    This proposed AD would require that the MLG be modified in 
accordance with the Airbus service information and the applicable 
Messier-Bugatti-Dowty service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 959 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement or Modification.........  9 work-hour x $85 per           $14,104          $14,869      $14,259,371
                                       hour = $765.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2016-9071; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-
019-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 24, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder (DAH) which indicates that the main landing gear (MLG) does 
not comply with certification specifications, which could result in 
a locking failure of the MLG side stay. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent possible collapse of the MLG during takeoff and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification or Replacement

    Within 66 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish 
the action specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modify each MLG side stay assembly having a part number 
listed in figure 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32-1429, dated September 10, 2015, and the service 
information specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (i) For Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series 
airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Service Bulletin 200-32-315, dated 
April 24, 2015.
    (ii) For Model A321 series airplanes: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty 
Service Bulletin 201-32-63, dated April 24, 2015.
    (2) Replace the MLG side stay assembly with a side stay assembly 
that has been modified in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD. Do the replacement 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).

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2) of this AD: Additional guidance for 
the replacement can be found in Chapter 32 of the Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance Manual.

(h) Unaffected Airplanes

    An airplane on which Airbus modification (mod) 156646, Airbus 
mod 161202, or Airbus mod 161346 has been embodied in production is 
not affected by the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, 
provided it is determined that no part having a part number 
identified as listed in figure 1 to paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of 
this AD, has been installed on that airplane since the date

[[Page 62037]]

of issuance of the original certificate of airworthiness or the 
original export certificate of airworthiness. A review of 
maintenance records is acceptable to make this determination, 
provided that these records are accurate and can be relied upon to 
conclusively make that determination.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane, an MLG side stay assembly having a part number, with the 
strike number not cancelled, as identified in figure 1 to paragraphs 
(g), (h), and (i) of this AD, unless it has been modified in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

 Figure 1 to Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of This AD--Affected MLG Side
                             Stay Assemblies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Affected part
                                     numbers (the `xxx'
              Models                 used in this figure   Strike number
                                     can be any 3-digit    not cancelled
                                        combination)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A318-111, -112, -121, and -122      201166001-xxx.......              12
 airplanes; A319-111, -112, -113, - 201166002-xxx.......              12
 114, -115, -131, -132, and -133    201166003-xxx.......              12
 airplanes; A320-211, -212, -214, - 201166004-xxx.......              12
 231, -232, and -233 airplanes.     201166005-xxx.......              12
                                    201166006-xxx.......              12
                                    201166007-xxx.......              12
                                    201166008-xxx.......              12
                                    201166009-xxx.......              12
                                    201166010-xxx.......              12
                                    201166011-xxx.......              12
                                    201166012-xxx.......              12
                                    201166013-000                     12
                                     through 201166013-
                                     030 inclusive.
                                    201166014-000                     12
                                     through 201166014-
                                     030 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes  201390001-000                     15
                                     through 201390001-
                                     040 inclusive.
                                    201390002-000                     15
                                     through 201390002-
                                     040 inclusive.
                                    201527001-000                     15
                                     through 201527001-
                                     025 inclusive.
                                    201527002-000                     15
                                     through 201527002-
                                     025 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A321-211, -212, -213, -231, and -   201524001-000                     15
 232 airplanes.                      through 201524001-
                                     035 inclusive.
                                    201524002-000                     15
                                     through 201524002-
                                     035 inclusive.
                                    201660001-000                     15
                                     through 201660001-
                                     030 inclusive.
                                    201660002-000                     15
                                     through 201660002-
                                     030 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(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: 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 DOA. If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.
    (3) 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

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0018, dated January 19, 2016, for related 
information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-9071.
    (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 August 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21282 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P