Document ID: FAA-2021-0506-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2021-06-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32653-32656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13057]

 ========================================================================
 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. 117 / Tuesday, June 22, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 32653]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0506; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00200-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) 
2013-25-11, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, 
and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes. AD 2013-25-11 requires repetitive inspections of 
the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, upper fittings, and shelves for 
damage, repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower central support 
for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2013-25-11 also 
specifies optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2013-25-11, new damage was reported on 
airplanes that had complied with certain actions in that AD. This 
proposed AD would expand the applicability, remove the optional 
terminating action, and require new repetitive inspections, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 August 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 material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR 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. It is also available in 
the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0506.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0506; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; 
email sanjay.ralhan@faa.gov.

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-2021-0506; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00200-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 
the 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 proposed AD.

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 
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; email sanjay.ralhan@faa.gov. 
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 2013-25-11, Amendment 39-17707 (78 FR 78705, 
December 27, 2013) (AD 2013-25-11), which applies to all Airbus SAS 
Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -
113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133

[[Page 32654]]

airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and 
-232 airplanes. AD 2013-25-11 requires repetitive inspections of the 
80VU rack lower lateral fittings, upper fittings, and shelves for 
damage, repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower central support 
for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2013-25-11 also 
specifies optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
The FAA issued AD 2013-25-11 to address damage or cracking of the 80VU 
fittings and supports, which could lead to possible disconnection of 
the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring during a 
critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control of the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-25-11 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2013-25-11, new damage was reported on 
airplanes that had accomplished the actions specified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-53-1215 and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1557, which 
AD 2013-25-11 specified as optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. Damage was also found on airplanes on which 
Airbus mod 34804 (which provides the same modifications specified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1215 and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
25-1557) was embodied. Additional airplane models have also been 
determined to be subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA has therefore 
determined that new repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack are 
necessary to address the unsafe condition, and the applicability needs 
to be revised to include the additional airplane models.
    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0045, dated February 16, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0045) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, A318-112, A319-111, A319-112, A319-
113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, A320-
212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, A320-233, A321-
111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231 and 
A321-232 airplanes. EASA AD 2021-0045 supersedes EASA AD 2012-0134 
(which corresponds to FAA AD 2013-25-11). Model A320-215 airplanes are 
not certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type 
certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those 
airplanes in the applicability.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damaged lower lateral 
fittings of the 80VU rack, and reports of new damage on airplanes on 
which certain optional service information had been accomplished. The 
FAA is proposing this AD to address damage or cracking of the 80VU 
fittings and supports, which could lead to possible disconnection of 
the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring during a 
critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control of the 
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0045 describes procedures for repetitive special 
detailed inspections of the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, lower 
central support, upper fittings, central post, and shelves attachments 
for discrepancies (including broken fittings, missing bolts, an 
electronics rack FIN 80VU that is in contact with structure, any bush 
that has migrated, burred material, and cracks), and corrective action 
if necessary. Corrective actions include modification, repair, and 
replacement. EASA AD 2021-0045 also describes procedures for reporting 
inspection results to Airbus.
    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 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 the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the FAA 
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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2021-0045 described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2021-0045 
will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed 
AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2021-0045 in its 
entirety, 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 the EASA AD 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 the EASA AD. Service information specified 
in EASA AD 2021-0045 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2021-
0045 will be available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0506 after the FAA 
final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1,528 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2013-25- 87 work-hours x             $2,592                $9,987           $15,260,136
 11.                               $85 per hour =
                                   $7,395.

[[Page 32655]]

 
New proposed actions............  Up to 8 work-hours              $0            Up to $680      Up to $1,039,040
                                   x $85 per hour =
                                   Up to $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.

    The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the proposed reporting requirement in this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA 
estimates the cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. 
operators to be $129,880, or $85 per product.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair........................................  122 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $4,150         $14,520
                                                 $10,370.
Replacement...................................  Up to 189 work-hours x $85 per      Up to $6,928   Up to $22,993
                                                 hour = Up to $16,065.
Modification..................................  189 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $7,407         $23,472
                                                 $16,065.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all 
known costs in the cost estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has 
been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and 
includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting 
associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should 
be directed to Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-
1524.

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 Directive (AD) 2013-25-11, Amendment 39-17707 
(78 FR 78705, December 27, 2013), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0506; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
00200-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-25-11, Amendment 39-17707 (78 FR 78705, 
December 27, 2013) (AD 2013-25-11).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any 
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD.
    (1) Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes.

[[Page 32656]]

    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 
airplanes.
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of damaged lower lateral 
fittings of the 80VU rack, and reports of new damage on airplanes on 
which certain optional service information had been accomplished. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage or cracking of the 80VU 
fittings and supports, which could lead to possible disconnection of 
the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring 
during a critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control 
of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    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 
2021-0045, dated February 16, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0045).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0045

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0045 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The remarks section of EASA AD 2021-0045 does not apply to 
this AD.
    (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0045 specifies ``any 
discrepancy,'' for this AD ``any discrepancy'' includes broken 
fittings, missing bolts, an electronics rack FIN 80VU that is in 
contact with structure, any bush that has migrated, burred material, 
and cracks.
    (4) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2021-0045 specifies to report 
inspection results to Airbus within a certain compliance time. For 
this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified 
in paragraph (h)(4)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
    (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the inspection.
    (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 90 days after the effective date 
of this AD.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2013-25-11 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2021-0045 that are 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (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, Large Aircraft 
Section, 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any service information 
referenced in EASA AD 2021-0045 that contains RC procedures and 
tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC 
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.
    (4) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: A federal agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond 
to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply 
with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 
hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
All responses to this collection of information are mandatory as 
required by this AD. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or 
any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For information about EASA AD 2021-0045, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You 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. This material may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0506.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3223; email sanjay.ralhan@faa.gov.

    Issued on June 15, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13057 Filed 6-21-21; 8:45 am]
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