Document ID: FAA-2022-1573-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-12-06T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74530-74535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26472]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1573; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00671-T]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03, which apply to certain 
Airbus SAS Model A318, A320 and A321 series airplanes; and Model A319-
111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N 
airplanes. AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03 require 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since 
the FAA issued AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03, the FAA 
has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations 
are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions 
in AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03, and would require 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 January 20, 
2023.

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 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.

[[Page 74531]]

    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1573; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For the EASA ADs identified in this NPRM, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also 
available in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-
2022-1573 may view this 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hyeyoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 817-222-5584; 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-2022-1573; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2022-00671-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 
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 
Hyeyoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, 
International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; telephone 817-222-5584; 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 2020-22-16, Amendment 39-21312 (85 FR 70439, 
November 5, 2020) (AD 2020-22-16) for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 
series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -
133, -151N, and -153N airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model 
A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-22-16 was prompted by an MCAI originated 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. EASA issued AD 2020-0067, dated March 23, 2020 (EASA AD 
2020-0067) (which corresponds to FAA AD 2020-22-16) to correct an 
unsafe condition. AD 2020-22-16 requires revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2020-22-
16 to address a safety-significant latent failure (that is not 
annunciated), which, in combination with one or more other specific 
failures or events, could result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure 
condition.
    The FAA issued AD 2021-16-01, Amendment 39-21662 (86 FR 47212, 
August 24, 2021) (AD 2021-16-01), for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 
series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -
133, -151N, and -153N airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model 
A321 series airplanes. AD 2021-16-01 was prompted by EASA AD 2020-0219, 
dated October 12, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0219) (which corresponds to FAA AD 
2021-16-01) to correct an unsafe condition. AD 2021-16-01 requires 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The 
FAA issued AD 2021-16-01 to address safety-significant latent failure 
(that is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, could result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition. AD 2021-16-01 specifies that 
accomplishing the revision required by that AD terminates the 
corresponding requirements of AD 2020-22-16, for the tasks identified 
in the service information referred to in EASA AD 2020-0219, dated 
October 12, 2020, only.
    The FAA issued AD 2022-04-03, Amendment 39-21944 (87 FR 10064, 
February 23, 2022) (AD 2022-04-03), for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 
series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -
133, -151N, and -153N airplanes; and Model A320 and A321 series 
airplanes. AD 2022-04-03 was prompted by EASA AD 2021-0108, dated April 
20, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0108) (which corresponds to FAA AD 2022-04-03). 
AD 2022-04-03 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2022-04-03 to address a 
safety-significant latent failure (that is not annunciated), which, in 
combination with one or more other specific failures or events, could 
result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition. AD 2022-04-03 
specifies that accomplishing the revision required by that AD 
terminates the limitations of Task 262300-00001-1-C, as required by 
paragraph (i) of AD 2020-22-16, for airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 17, 2020 only.

Actions Since AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03 Were 
Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-
03, EASA superseded ADs 2020-0067, 2020-0219, and 2021-0108; and issued 
EASA AD 2022-0091, dated May 20, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0091) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), for certain Model A318 series, A319 series, 
A321 series, and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -215, -216, -231, -232, -
233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes. Model 
A320-215 airplanes are not certificated by the FAA

[[Page 74532]]

and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this 
proposed AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability.
    Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued after February 18, 2022 must 
comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; 
this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address a safety-significant latent 
failure (that is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or 
more other specific failures or events, could result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1573.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0091 specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations for certification maintenance requirements.
    This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2020-0067, dated March 
23, 2020; which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of December 10, 2020 (85 FR 70439, 
November 5, 2020).
    This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2020-0219, dated 
October 12, 2020, which the Director of the Federal Register approved 
for incorporation by reference as of September 28, 2021 (86 FR 47212, 
August 24, 2021).
    This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2021-0108, dated April 
20, 2021, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of March 30, 2022 (87 FR 10064, February 
23, 2022).
    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.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI described above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 
determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop in other products of these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2020-22-16, AD 
2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03. This proposed AD would also require 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations, which are specified in EASA AD 2022-0091 described 
previously, as proposed for incorporation by reference. Any differences 
with EASA AD 2022-0091 are identified as exceptions in the regulatory 
text of this AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to 
paragraph (s)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to retain the IBR of EASA ADs 2020-0067, 2020-0219, and 
2021-0108, and incorporate EASA AD 2022-0091 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA ADs 2022-0091, 2020-0067, 2020-0219, and 2021-0108 through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are 
the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA ADs 2022-0091, 
2020-0067, 2020-0219, or 2021-0108 does not mean that operators need 
comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement 
refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance 
with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled 
``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA ADs 2022-0091, 
2020-0067, 2020-0219, or 2021-0108. Service information required by 
EASA ADs 2022-0091, 2020-0067, 2020-0219, and 2021-0108 for compliance 
will be available at  regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1573 
after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must 
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) may be used unless the actions and intervals are approved 
as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in the AMOCs 
paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format includes 
a ``New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals'' paragraph 
that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still 
request an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1,680 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2020-22-16, AD 2021-16-01, and AD 2022-04-03 to be 
$7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour) per AD.
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection 
program changes for their

[[Page 74533]]

affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate 
is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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.

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 Directives (AD) 2020-22-16, Amendment 39-
21312 (85 FR 70439, November 5, 2020); AD 2021-16-01, Amendment 39-
21662 (86 FR 47212, August 24, 2021); and AD 2022-04-03, Amendment 39-
21944 (87 FR 10064, February 23, 2022).
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2022-1573; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
00671-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by January 20, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces the ADs specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through 
(3) of this AD.
    (1) AD 2020-22-16, Amendment 39-21312 (85 FR 70439, November 5, 
2020) (AD 2020-22-16).
    (2) AD 2021-16-01, Amendment 39-21662 (86 FR 47212, August 24, 
2021) (AD 2021-16-01).
    (3) AD 2022-04-03, Amendment 39-21944 (87 FR 10064, February 23, 
2022) (AD 2022-04-03).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before February 18, 
2022.
    (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, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, 
and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address to address a safety significant latent 
failure (that is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or 
more other specific failures or events, could result in a hazardous 
or catastrophic failure condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program 
From AD 2020-22-16, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2020-22-16, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 17, 2020, except for Model 
A319-171N airplanes: Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this 
AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2020-0067, dated March 23, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0067). 
Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection 
program required by paragraph (o) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0067 With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(j) of AD 2020-22-16, with no changes.
    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2020-0067 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0067 specifies revising ``the 
AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate the ``tasks and associated thresholds and 
intervals'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0067 within 
90 days after December 10, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-22-
16).
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0067 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0067, or 
within 90 days after December 10, 2020 (the effective date of AD 
2020-22-16), whichever occurs later.
    (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2020-0067 do not apply to this AD.
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0067 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 
2020-22-16, With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2020-22-16, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(o) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are 
approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' 
section of EASA AD 2020-0067.

[[Page 74534]]

(j) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program 
From AD 2021-16-01 With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2021-16-01, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before June 10, 2020, except for Model 
A319-171N airplanes: Revise the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, by incorporating task(s) and associated 
thresholds and intervals specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-
0219, dated October 12, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0219), except you are 
required to incorporate task(s) and associated thresholds and 
intervals within 90 days after September 28, 2021 (the effective 
date of AD 2021-16-01). Record a compliance time for the initial 
tasks of either the applicable ``thresholds'' incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0219 or 90 days after 
September 28, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-01), whichever 
would occur later. Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (o) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(k) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 
2021-16-01, With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2021-16-01, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(o) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2020-0219.

(l) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program 
From AD 2022-04-03, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2022-04-03, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before December 9, 2020, except for Model 
A319-171N airplanes: Except as specified in paragraph (m) of this 
AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0108, dated April 20, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0108). Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (o) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(m) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0108, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(h) of AD 2022-04-03, with no changes.
    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0108 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using March 30, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-04-
03).
    (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2021-0108 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0108 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, within 90 days after March 30, 2022 (the effective 
date of AD 2022-04-03).
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA 2021-0108 is at the applicable ``thresholds'' 
as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 
2021-0108, or within 90 days after March 30, 2022 (the effective 
date of AD 2022-04-03), whichever occurs later.
    (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) of EASA AD 2021-
0108 do not apply to this AD.
    (6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0108 does not apply 
to this AD.

(n) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals From AD 
2022-04-03, With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2022-04-03, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(o) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (l) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2021-0108.

(o) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Except as specified in paragraph (p) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with EASA AD 2022-0091, dated May 20, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0091). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or 
inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the 
requirements of paragraphs (g) (j), and (l) of this AD.

(p) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0091

    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2022-0091 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0091 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0091 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of 
EASA AD 2022-0091, or within 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2022-0091 do not apply to this AD.
    (5) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2022-0091 does not apply 
to this AD.

(q) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (o) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0091.

(r) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2020-22-16

    (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD terminates the corresponding requirements of AD 2020-22-16, for 
the tasks identified in the service information referred to in EASA 
AD 2020-0219 only.
    (2) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (l) of this 
AD terminates the limitations of Task 262300-00001-1-C, as required 
by paragraph (i) of AD 2020-22-16, for airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 17, 2020 only.

(s) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
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 International 
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified 
in paragraph (t) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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, 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.

(t) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hyeyoon Jang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone 817-222-5584; email [email protected].

(u) 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.

[[Page 74535]]

    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
[DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0091, 
dated May 20, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 10, 2020 (85 FR 70439, November 5, 2020).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0067, 
dated March 23, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
September 28, 2021 (86 FR 47212, August 24, 2021).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0219, 
dated October 12, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (6) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 30, 2022 (87 FR 10064, February 23, 2022).
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0108, 
dated April 20, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (7) For EASA ADs 2022-0091, 2020-0067, 2020-0219, and 2021-0108, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website 
easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at 
ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (8) 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.
    (9) 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 [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on December 1, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26472 Filed 12-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P