Document ID: FAA-2016-9110-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-09-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64083-64085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22435]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9110; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-196-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 A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, 
A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing 
assembly of the main landing gear (MLG) with no cadmium plating on the 
rod end threads. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection 
of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing assembly 
of the MLG for the presence of cadmium plating, and replacement of tie 
rod assemblies without cadmium plating. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on the rod end 
threads of the tie rod assemblies. The absence of cadmium plating could 
lead to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end threads, resulting in rod 
end failure, loss of a MLG door, and consequent damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 3, 
2016.

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 NPRM, 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-2016-
9110; 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-2016-9110; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-196-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 Directive 2015-0234, dated December 8, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-
231 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A production quality issue was identified concerning tie rod 
assemblies, having Part Number (P/N) starting with D52840212000 or 
D52840212002, which are installed on the main landing gear (MLG) 
hinged fairing assembly. This quality issue affects the cadmium 
plating surface treatment which was inadvertently omitted from the 
rod end threads of the assembly. The absence of cadmium plating 
reduces the corrosion protection scheme.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
galvanic corrosion of

[[Page 64084]]

the tie rod end threads, possibly resulting in rod end failure, loss 
of a MLG door, and consequent injury to persons on ground.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus identified the affected 
[manufacturer serial number] MSN and issued [service bulletin] SB 
A320-52-1167 to provide inspection instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the affected MLG hinged fairing tie rod 
assemblies [for the presence of cadmium plating], and, depending on 
findings, replacement of the affected tie rod assembly.

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-2016-
9110.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-52-1167, dated August 6, 
2015. The service information describes procedures for a detailed 
inspection for the presence of cadmium plating on tie rod assemblies 
having certain part numbers, and procedures for replacement of tie rod 
assemblies with no cadmium plating on the rod end threads. 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.

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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 20 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                  Action                                           Labor cost                             Parts cost        product         operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...............................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170........................              $0             $170           $3,400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need 
these replacements:

                                                                   On-Condition Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                             Cost per
                 Action                                              Labor cost                                      Parts cost              product
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.............................  13 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,105...........................  Not available..............          $1,105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all available costs in our 
cost estimate.

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):

[[Page 64085]]

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-9110; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
196-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 3, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, 
A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1167, dated August 6, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of certain tie rod assemblies 
installed on the hinged fairing assembly of the main landing gear 
(MLG) with no cadmium plating on the rod end threads. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on the 
rod end threads of the tie rod assemblies. The absence of cadmium 
plating could lead to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end threads, 
resulting in rod end failure, loss of a MLG door, and consequent 
damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Within 80 months after the airplane's first flight, do a 
detailed inspection of each tie rod assembly having a part number 
(P/N) D52840212000 or D52840212002 at the MLG hinged fairing for the 
presence of cadmium plating (gold colored threads), in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-52-1167, dated August 6, 2015. If during the inspection any tie 
rod assembly is found that does not have cadmium plating, before 
further flight, replace the tie rod assembly with a serviceable part 
having the same part number and cadmium plating, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-
1167, dated August 6, 2015.

(h) 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 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information 
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any 
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. 
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0234, dated December 8, 
2015, 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-2016-9110.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-22435 Filed 9-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P