Document ID: FAA-2017-0561-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-09-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43837-43840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19656]

[[Page 43837]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0561; Product Identifier 2016-NM-141-AD; Amendment 
39-19043; AD 2017-19-13]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-16-01, 
which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -
342 airplanes, and certain Model A340 series airplanes; and AD 2014-17-
06, which applied to all Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model 
A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A330-300 series 
airplanes. AD 2001-16-01 required inspections for cracking of the aft 
cargo compartment door, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2014-17-
06 required revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate structural inspection requirements. This AD 
requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or revised airworthiness limitation requirements; 
and removing airplanes from the applicability. This AD was prompted by 
a determination that more restrictive maintenance instructions and 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 25, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 25, 
2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of October 
8, 2014 (79 FR 52181, September 3, 2014).

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 Standards Branch, 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-2017-
0561.

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-2017-
0561; 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 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 to supersede AD 2001-16-01, Amendment 39-12369 (66 FR 40874, 
August 6, 2001) (``AD 2001-16-01''), which applied to certain Airbus 
Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes, and certain Model 
A340 series airplane; and AD 2014-17-06, Amendment 39-17959 (79 FR 
52181, September 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-17-06''), which applied to all 
Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-200 Freighter series 
airplanes, and Model A330-300 series airplanes. AD 2014-17-06 
superseded AD 2011-17-08, Amendment 39-16772 (76 FR 53303, August 26, 
2011). The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2017 (82 
FR 28020). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that more 
restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised 
airworthiness limitation requirements; and to remove airplanes from the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking, damage, and corrosion in a certain structure, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0152, dated July 27, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model 
A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-
200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations are currently defined and 
published in the Airbus A330 and A340 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) documents.
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to the Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), which are approved by EASA, 
are specified in Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 2. Failure to comply 
with these instructions could result in an unsafe condition [fatigue 
cracking, damage, and corrosion in a certain structure, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane].
    EASA issued AD 2012-0211 (for A330 aeroplanes) [which 
corresponds to FAA AD 2014-17-06] and AD 2013-0127 (for A340 
aeroplanes) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2001-16-01] to require the 
actions as specified in Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 2 at original 
issue and Revision 01, respectively.
    Since those [EASA] ADs were issued, Airbus issued Revision 01 
and Revision 02, respectively, of Airbus A330 and A340 ALS Part 2, 
to introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2012-0211 and AD 2013-0127, which are 
superseded, and requires accomplishment of the actions specified in 
Airbus A330 ALS Part 2 Revision 01 including Variation 1.1 and 
Variation 1.2, or A340 ALS Part 2 Revision 02 including Variation 
2.1 and Variation 2.2, as applicable (hereafter collectively 
referred to as `the applicable ALS' in this [EASA] AD).
    In addition, this [EASA] AD also supersedes DGAC [Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile] France AD 2001-126(B), 
whose requirements applicable to A330 aeroplanes have been 
transferred into Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, and supersedes DGAC France 
AD 2001-124(B), EASA AD 2012-0031 and AD 2012-0167, whose 
requirements applicable to A340 aeroplanes have been transferred 
into Airbus A340 ALS Part 2 [EASA ADs 2001-124(B) and 2001-126(B) 
correspond with FAA AD 2001-16-01].

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for

[[Page 43838]]

and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0561.

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 available 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

    Airbus has issued the following service information, which 
describes airworthiness limitation requirements for damage-tolerant 
airworthiness limitation items. These documents are distinct since they 
provide different limitation requirements.
     Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Revision 01, issue 02, 
dated November 30, 2015.
     Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.1, dated 
December 15, 2015.
     Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.2, dated May 
27, 2016.
    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 101 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2014-17-06, and retained in this AD, 
take about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts cost about $0 per product. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the actions that were required by AD 
2014-17-06 is $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $8,585, or $85 per product.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directives (AD) 2001-16-01, Amendment 39-
12369 (66 FR 40874, August 6, 2001); and AD 2014-17-06, Amendment 39-
17959 (79 FR 52181, September 3, 2014); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2017-19-13 Airbus: Amendment 39-19043; Docket No. FAA-2017-0561; 
Product Identifier 2016-NM-141-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 25, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2001-16-01, Amendment 39-12369 (66 FR 40874, 
August 6, 2001) (``AD 2001-16-01''); and AD 2014-17-06, Amendment 
39-17959 (79 FR 52181, September 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-17-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category, 
with an original certificate of airworthiness or original export 
certificate of airworthiness issued on or before May 27, 2016.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Periodic 
inspections.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue 
cracking, damage, and corrosion in a certain structure, which could 
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 43839]]

(g) Retained Requirement: Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, 
With a New Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2014-17-06, with a new terminating action. Accomplishing the 
revision required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) Within 3 months after October 8, 2014 (the effective date of 
AD 2014-17-06): Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, 
``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, dated March 23, 
2012; ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS 
Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' 
variation reference 0GVLG120018/C0S, dated October 24, 2012; and 
``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation 
reference 0GVLG130002/C01, dated March 26, 2013.
    (2) Comply with all applicable instructions and airworthiness 
limitations included in Airbus Document AI/SE M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 
Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, dated March 23, 2012; 
``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation 
reference 0GVLG120018/C0S, dated October 24, 2012; and ``Variation 
to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) Damage 
Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation 
reference 0GVLG130002/C01, dated March 26, 2013. The initial 
compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus Document AI/SE-
M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, 
dated March 23, 2012; ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document 
(referenced in ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation 
Items (DT-ALI),'' variation reference 0GVLG120018/C0S, dated October 
24, 2012; and ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in 
ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI),'' 0GVLG130002/C01, dated March 26, 2013; are at the times 
specified in Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 
Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, dated March 23, 2012; 
``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation 
ref. 0GVLG120018/C0S, dated October 24, 2012; and ``Variation to 
Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation ref. 
0GVLG130002/C01, dated March 26, 2013; or within 3 months after 
October 8, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-17-06), whichever 
occurs later.

(h) Retained Provision: Optional Compliance, With a New Terminating 
Action

    This paragraph restates the provision in paragraph (j) of AD 
2014-17-06, with a new terminating action. Compliance with tasks 
533021-02-01, 533021-02-02, and 533021-02-03, specified in 
``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced in ALS Part 2) 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI),'' variation 
ref. 0GVLG120022/C0S, dated December 21, 2012, may be used as a 
method of compliance to tasks 533021-01-01, 533021-01-02, 533021-01-
03 specified in Section 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of Section 2, 
``Airworthiness Limitations,'' of Airbus Document AI/SE M4/95A.0089/
97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, dated March 
23, 2012. Accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (j) of 
this AD terminates the provision specified in this paragraph.

(i) Retained Requirement: No Alternative Intervals or Limits, With a 
New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2014-17-06, with a new exception. Except as provided by paragraph 
(h) of this AD and as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after 
the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the 
actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of paragraph (l)(1) of this 
AD.

(j) New Requirement: Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and 
(j)(3) of this AD. The initial compliance times for the actions 
specified in the service information referenced in paragraphs 
(j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD are the times specified in the 
applicable service information, or within 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the 
revision specified in this paragraph terminates the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD and the provision specified in paragraph 
(h) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2, 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 
01, issue 02, dated November 30, 2015.
    (2) Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.1, dated 
December 15, 2015.
    (3) Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.2, dated May 27, 
2016.

(k) New Requirement: No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has 
been revised, as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used 
unless the actions or intervals are approved as an AMOC in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this 
AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0152, dated July 27, 2016, 
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-2017-0561.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone 425-227-1138; fax 425-227-1149.

(n) 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 25, 2017.
    (i) Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2, 
Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 
01, issue 02, dated November 30, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.1, dated 
December 15, 2015.
    (iii) Airbus A330 ALS Part 2, DT-ALI, Variation 1.2, dated May 
27, 2016.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 8, 2014 (79 FR 52181, September 3, 2014).
    (i) Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items,'' Issue 19, dated March 23, 2012.
    (ii) Airbus ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced 
in ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI),'' variation ref. 0GVLG130002/C01, dated March 26, 2013.
    (iii) Airbus ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced 
in ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI),'' variation ref. 0GVLG120018/C0S, dated October 24, 2012.

[[Page 43840]]

    (iv) Airbus ``Variation to Issue 19 of ALI Document (referenced 
in ALS Part 2) Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-
ALI),'' variation ref. 0GVLG120022/C0S, dated December 21, 2012.
    (5) 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.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (7) 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 September 7, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-19656 Filed 9-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P