Document ID: FAA-2021-0883-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2021-10-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 202 (Friday, October 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58597-58600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22785]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 202 / Friday, October 22, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58597]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0883; Project Identifier AD-2021-00307-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) 
2020-16-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and 
greasing of affected cargo door seals (both original equipment 
manufacturer (OEM) and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts). Since 
the FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, the FAA determined that improved cargo 
door seals must be installed to address the unsafe condition, and that 
certain flight operations must be limited until the improved cargo door 
seals are installed. In addition, the FAA has issued a new AD to 
address the OEM parts. This proposed AD would limit the applicability 
to airplanes that have certain PMA parts installed. This proposed AD 
would retain certain actions required by AD 2020-16-01 and require 
replacing certain forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new 
seals and installing a placard on the cargo compartment doors; and for 
certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain 
routes. 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 December 6, 
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 Airbus service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 
2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; internet https://www.airbus.com. For EASA material identified in this NPRM, contact 
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0883; 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: John Marshall, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5524; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

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-2021-0883; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-00307-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 John 
Marshall, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5524; fax: 404-474-5606; email: [email protected]. 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 issued AD 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185 (85 FR 47013, 
August 4, 2020) (AD 2020-16-01), for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD

[[Page 58598]]

2020-16-01 was prompted by reports of low halon concentration in the 
forward and aft cargo compartments due to air leakage through cargo 
door seals. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of 
forward and aft cargo door seals having part number (P/N) 
D5237106020000, D5237106020200, D5237106020400, D5237300120000, or 
D5237300120200 (OEM parts); bulk cargo door seals having P/N 
D5237200220000 or D5237200220200 (OEM parts); and forward and aft cargo 
door seals P/N D5237106020400S, approved under PMA PQ1715CE (PMA part). 
The agency issued AD 2020-16-01 to address low halon concentration, 
which, if not addressed, could affect the fire extinguishing system 
efficiency in the cargo compartments and possibly result in failure of 
the system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
    The FAA has also issued AD 2021-18-04, Amendment 39-21705 (86 FR 
51265, September 15, 2021) (AD 2021-18-04), which applies to all Airbus 
SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes and addresses the 
OEM parts. That AD requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of 
affected OEM cargo door seals; replacing certain forward, aft, and bulk 
cargo compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on 
the cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an 
operational limitation for certain routes. Paragraph (h)(2) of AD 2021-
18-04 explains conditions under which operators will no longer need to 
show compliance with certain requirements of AD 2020-16-01 for affected 
OEM parts. AD 2021-18-04 also states that the FAA is considering 
additional rulemaking to require replacement of PMA cargo door seals 
approved for the type design forward and aft cargo compartment door 
seal P/N D5237106020400, including but not limited to PMA P/N 
D5237106020400S.
    The FAA has determined additional rulemaking is necessary to 
require replacement of PMA P/N D5237106020400S with improved cargo door 
seals and to limit certain flight operations until the improved cargo 
door seals are installed. This NPRM addresses the identified unsafe 
condition for PMA forward and aft cargo door seals approved for the 
type design forward and aft cargo compartment door seal P/N 
D5237106020400, including but not limited to PMA P/N D5237106020400S.

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 Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1195, Revision 01, 
dated December 15, 2020, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1196, 
dated October 12, 2020. This service information specifies procedures 
for replacing the forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new 
seals, among other actions, and installing a placard on the cargo 
compartment doors. These documents are distinct since they apply to 
different airplane models.
    This proposed AD also requires European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0049, dated February 18, 2021, which the Director 
of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of 
October 20, 2021 (86 FR 51265, September 15, 2021).
    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 continue to require repetitive cleaning and 
greasing, and would require replacing certain PMA forward and aft cargo 
compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on the 
cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an 
operational limitation for certain routes.

Explanation of Service Information

    Although the service information described previously specifies 
replacing OEM parts, PMA parts are similar in design to the OEM parts; 
therefore the service information may be used for airplanes on which 
the PMA parts are installed. However, if the service information cannot 
be used, operators may request an alternative method of compliance in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 1,768 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                  Labor cost           Parts cost         Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleaning and greasing (retained  1 work-hour x $85  $0....................  $85, per cleaning/ $150,280, per
 actions from AD 2020-16-01).     per hour = $85,                            greasing cycle.    cleaning/
                                  per cleaning/                                                 greasing cycle.
                                  greasing cycle.
Cargo door seal replacement and  8 work-hours x     Up to $5,680..........  Up to $6,360.....  Up to
 placard installation (new        $85 per hour =                                                $11,244,480.
 proposed action).                $680.
Operational limitation           1 work-hour x $85  $0....................  $85..............  Up to $150,280
 implementation (e.g., revising   per hour = $85.                                               (Group 3
 the airplane flight manual)                                                                    airplanes only).
 (new proposed action).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 58599]]

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 
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) 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

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 Directive (AD) 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185 
(85 FR 47013, August 4, 2020), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0883; Project Identifier AD-2021-
00307-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by December 6, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-16-01, Amendment 39-21185 (85 FR 47013, 
August 4, 2020) (AD 2020-16-01).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, equipped with any parts manufacturer approval (PMA) part 
approved for the type design forward and aft cargo compartment door 
seal part number (P/N) D5237106020400, including but not limited to 
PMA P/N D5237106020400S.
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -251NX, -252N, -252NX, -253N, -253NX, -271N, -271NX, -272N, 
and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
protection; 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of low halon concentration in 
the forward and aft cargo compartments due to air leakage through 
cargo compartment door seals, and the certification of improved 
cargo compartment door seals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
low halon concentration. This condition, if not corrected, could 
affect the fire extinguishing system efficiency in the cargo 
compartments, possibly resulting in failure of the system to contain 
a cargo compartment fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definition

    For the purposes of this AD, a ``PMA part'' is defined as any 
PMA part approved for the type design forward and aft cargo 
compartment door seal P/N D5237106020400, including but not limited 
to PMA P/N D5237106020400S.

(h) Retained Cleaning and Greasing, With Revised Compliance Language

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2020-16-01, with revised compliance language. Within 6 months after 
the airplane date of manufacture, or 3 months after August 19, 2020 
(the effective date of AD 2020-16-01), whichever occurs later, and, 
thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 6 months, clean and grease 
each PMA part, in accordance with the instructions specified in 
paragraph (1) or (2) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD 2021-0049, dated February 18, 2021. Accomplishing the actions 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD on an airplane terminates the 
actions required by this paragraph for that airplane only, and for 
the specific cargo door locations with PMA parts only.

(i) Modification

    Within 96 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the seals of the PMA part with new seals and install a placard on 
the cargo compartment doors, in accordance with the method specified 
in paragraph (i)(1) or (2) of this AD. Accomplishing the actions 
required by this paragraph terminates the actions required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD for that airplane only, and for the 
specific cargo door locations where PMA parts were replaced only.
    (1) Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1195, Revision 01, 
dated December 15, 2020, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1196, 
dated October 12, 2020, as applicable, except where the procedures 
refer to P/N D5237106020400, those procedures must be used for the 
PMA part.
    (2) Do the actions in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD.

(j) Operational Limitation

    For Model A319 airplanes on which Airbus mod 26402, mod 34881 or 
mod 34882 has been embodied in production, or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-26-1066 or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1076 has 
been embodied in service: As of 9 months after the effective date of 
this AD, or upon the accumulation of 1,600 flight hours by the 
airplane after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, do not operate an airplane over a route having a point with a 
diversion time of more than 60 minutes, unless that airplane has 
been modified as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Amending the 
existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) of the airplane by inserting a 
copy of this AD, and restricting operations to routes having 
diversion times of 60 minutes or less, is an acceptable method to 
comply with the operational limitation requirement for that 
airplane. After modification of an airplane as required by this 
paragraph (i) of this AD, this limitation is no longer required and 
can be removed from the AFM of that airplane.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Technical Adaption 80774334/
003/2020, Issue 1, dated April 1, 2020.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using EASA AD 2020-0133, dated June 10, 
2020.
    (3) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1195, dated October 12, 2020.

(l) Parts Installation Prohibition

    Do not install a PMA part, or a door equipped with a PMA part, 
on any airplane, as required by paragraph (l)(1) or (2) of this AD, 
as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes with a PMA part installed as of the effective 
date of this AD: After modification of the airplane as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that do not have a PMA part installed as of 
the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta 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

[[Page 58600]]

14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (3) 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, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, FAA.
    (4) Required for compliance (RC): Except as specified by 
paragraph (m)(3) 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact John Marshall, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5524; fax: 
404-474-5606; email: [email protected].
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile 
Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 
36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
internet https://www.airbus.com. For EASA material identified in 
this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; 
internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA 
website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this referenced 
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.

    Issued on October 14, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22785 Filed 10-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P