Document ID: FAA-2015-1429-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-06-15T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34101-34103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14228]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1429; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-246-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A319-113, A319-114, A320-211, and A320-212 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the aft mount 
pylon bolts of the CFM56-5 engines may have been installed using the 
wrong torque values. This proposed AD would require identification of 
engines that were installed using the wrong torque values and re-torque 
of the four aft mount pylon bolts of those engines. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct improper torque of the aft mount pylon 
bolts, which, if combined with any maintenance damage, could lead to 
aft engine mount failure, possibly resulting in engine detachment and 
consequent reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 30, 2015.

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 http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax: +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1429; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1405; 
fax: 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-1429; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-246-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness

[[Page 34102]]

Directive 2014-0258, dated November 28, 2014 (referred to after this as 
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A319-113, A319-
114, A320-211, and A320-212 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    In the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) revision dated May 
2013, a wrong torque value was added in AMM task 71-00-00-400-040-
A01 ``Installation of the power plant with Engine Positioner 
TWW75E''. Temporary Revisions (TR) dated March 2014 were published 
by Airbus to correct the information and with AMM revision dated May 
2014, Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01 was corrected to include the correct 
values. Notwithstanding those actions, static and fatigue analyses 
have concluded that this under-torque scenario negatively impacts 
the assembly performance, reducing the aft mount capability.
    This condition, if not corrected and if combined with any 
maintenance damage, could lead to aft engine mount failure, possibly 
resulting in engine detachment and consequent reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
identification of CFM56-5 engines (those listed in TCDS EASA.E.067 
[http://easa.europa.eu/document-library/type-certificates/easae067]) 
that were installed by using the wrong torque data of AMM 
instructions mentioned above and re-torque of the four aft mount 
pylon bolts of those engines.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1429.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-71-1063, including Appendix 
01, dated August 13, 2014. The service information describes procedures 
to detect and correct improper torque of the aft mount pylon bolts. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 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 of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 126 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $21,420, or $170 
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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2015-1429; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
246-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 30, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, all 
manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A319-113 and -114 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A320-211 and -212 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71, Powerplant.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the aft mount pylon bolts 
of the CFM56-5 engines may have been installed using the wrong 
torque values. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct improper 
torque of the aft mount pylon bolts, which, if combined with any 
maintenance damage, could lead to aft engine mount failure, possibly 
resulting in engine detachment and consequent reduced control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection for Incorrect Torque Values

    Within 6 months or 1,500 flight cycles, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, determine the method used to 
install the engines, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-71-1063, including 
Appendix 01, dated August 13, 2014. A review of airplane maintenance 
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the method used 
to install the engines can be

[[Page 34103]]

conclusively determined from that review. For any engine replaced as 
specified in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM), Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01, ``Installation of the Power 
Plant with Engine Positioner TWW 75E,'' dated May 2013: Within 6 
months or 1,500 flight cycles, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, re-torque the 4 aft mount pylon bolts 
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus' EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA).
    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Additional guidance for the 
re-torque can be found in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 AMM Temporary 
Revision 71-030, dated March 14, 2014, or Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
AMM Task 71-00-00-400-040-A01, ``Installation of the Power Plant 
with Engine Positioner TWW 75E,'' dated May 2014.

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
CFM56-5 engine, on any airplane, unless the engine is installed in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-71-1063, including Appendix 01, dated August 13, 2014.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone: 425-227-1405; fax: 425-227-1149. Information may be 
emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA; 
or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0258, dated November 28, 
2014, 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-2015-1429.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax: +33 5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14228 Filed 6-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P