Document ID: FAA-2019-0577-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2019-08-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43679-43681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17978]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0577; Product Identifier 2019-NM-119-AD; Amendment 
39-19695; AD 2019-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A321-251N, A321-252N, A321-253N, A321-271N, A321-272N, 
A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321-271NX, and A321-272NX 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by analysis of the behavior of the 
elevator aileron computer (ELAC) L102 that revealed that excessive 
pitch attitude can occur in certain conditions and during specific 
maneuvers. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) 
to incorporate updated procedures and operational limitations, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 6, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 6, 
2019.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 7, 2019.

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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, at Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; 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, Transport Standards 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 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0577.

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-2019-
0577; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-
647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0171, dated July 17, 2019 
(``EASA AD 2019-0171'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS Model A321-251N, A321-252N, A321-253N, 
A321-271N, A321-272N, A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321-271NX, 
and A321-272NX airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Analysis of the behaviour of the ELAC L102 installed on A321neo 
revealed that excessive pitch attitude can occur in certain 
conditions and during specific manoeuvres.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the 
applicable AFM TR [temporary revision] to provide operational 
limitations.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires amendment of 
the respective AFM, with AFM TR, as applicable.
    This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD 
action may follow.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0171 describes procedures for revising the AFM to 
incorporate operational limitations, and for certain airplanes, updated 
procedures, related to center of gravity with ELAC L102 installed.
    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

    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 agency has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the 
MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD because it has 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Requirements of This AD

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2019-0171 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this AD.

[[Page 43680]]

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA 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. As a result, 
EASA AD 2019-0171 will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final 
rule. This AD, therefore, requires compliance with EASA AD 2019-0171 in 
its entirety, through that incorporation, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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 
2019-0171 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2019-0171 will 
be available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0577 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the 
rulemaking. Similarly, Section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to 
make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good 
cause.
    As noted above and in EASA AD 2019-0171, these airplanes are 
subject, given certain conditions and specific maneuvers, to excessive 
pitch attitude which can result in loss of airplane control. The FAA 
considers the prevention of this unsafe condition to be an urgent 
safety issue. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, the FAA finds that good cause 
exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective 
in less than 30 days.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and 
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt 
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0577; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-119-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. The agency will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 35 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The agency estimates the following costs to comply with this 
AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
                     Labor cost                           Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85....................                 $0                 $85              $2,975
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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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 43681]]

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

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

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

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

2019-15-02 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19695; Docket No. FAA-2019-0577; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-119-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 6, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model A321-251N, A321-252N, 
A321-253N, A321-271N, A321-272N, A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, 
A321-271NX, and A321-272NX airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by analysis of the behavior of the elevator 
aileron computer (ELAC) L102 that revealed that excessive pitch 
attitude can occur in certain conditions and during specific 
maneuvers. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this excessive 
pitch attitude, which 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 
2019-0171, dated July 17, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0171'').

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0171

    (1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements 
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0171 refers to its effective date, 
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0171 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: 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 
Section, Transport Standards 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 2019-0171 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3223.

(k) 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.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0171, 
dated July 17, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0171, contact the EASA, at Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 6017; 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.
    (4) You may view this EASA AD at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. EASA AD 
2019-0171 may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0577.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July 26, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-17978 Filed 8-21-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P