Document ID: FAA-2017-0555-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-06-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27631-27634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12252]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0555; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-183-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly 
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-02-
12, which applies to all EADS CASA (now Airbus Defense and Space S.A.) 
Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. AD 
2013-02-12 currently requires a one-time inspection to identify the 
correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on each engine 
fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. Since we issued 
AD 2013-02-12, we have determined it is necessary to add a requirement 
for modifying the installation of the fire extinguisher circuit 
harness. This proposed AD would continue to require identifying the 
correct polarity of each pair of electrical connectors of the affected 
engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and doing a repair if necessary. 
This proposed AD would also require modifying the installation of the 
fire extinguisher circuit harnesses. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2017.

[[Page 27632]]

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus 
Defense and Space Services/Engineering Support, Avenida de 
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; fax 
+34 91 585 31 27; email MTA.TechnicalService@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-2017-
0555; 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone 425-227-1112; 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-2017-0555; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-183-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

    On January 23, 2013, we issued AD 2013-02-12, Amendment 39-17333 
(78 FR 7262, February 1, 2013) (``AD 2013-02-12''), for all EADS CASA 
(now Airbus Defense and Space S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-
200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. AD 2013-02-12 was prompted by reports of 
incorrect electrical polarity connections on engine fire extinguishing 
discharge cartridges. AD 2013-02-12 requires a one-time inspection to 
identify the correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on 
each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. We 
issued AD 2013-02-12 to detect and correct incorrect polarity 
connections, which could prevent the actuation of the discharge 
cartridge in case of automatic fire detection or manual initiation 
during a potential engine fire, and could result in damage to the 
airplane and injury to passengers.
    Since we issued AD 2013-02-12, a new modification for the 
installation of the fire extinguisher circuit harness has been 
developed by the manufacturer. Embodiment of this modification 
introduces a design solution that avoids maintenance errors during 
connecting and reconnecting of the affected fire extinguisher circuit 
harness after accomplishment of maintenance tasks or functional tests.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2016-0201, dated October 11, 2016 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model 
CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    Reports have been received of finding wrong electrical polarity 
connections of engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges on 
CASA CN-235 aeroplanes. The results of the subsequent investigation 
showed that the incorrect discharge cartridge assembly was caused by 
production line errors.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the 
actuation of the discharge cartridge in case of automatic fire 
detection or manual initiation in case of engine fire, possibly 
resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, EADS CASA (Airbus 
Military) developed instructions to identify erroneous wiring 
polarity installation and EASA issued AD 2012-0045 [which correlates 
to FAA AD 2013-02-12, Amendment 39-17333 (78 FR 7262, February 1, 
2013)] to require a one-time inspection to verify proper electrical 
polarity of wiring of each engine fire extinguisher discharge 
cartridge and, depending on findings, corrective action.
    Since [EASA] AD 2012-0045 was issued, Airbus Defence and Space 
(D&S) developed modification of the installation of the fire 
extinguisher circuit harnesses, available for in-service 
installation through Service Bulletin (SB) SB-235-26-0005, which 
represents technical solution for an unsafe condition addressed by 
[EASA] AD 2012-0045 for those aeroplanes. Embodiment of this 
modification introduces a design solution that avoids maintenance 
errors during (re)connecting of the affected fire extinguisher 
circuit harnesses after accomplishment of maintenance tasks or 
functional tests.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2012-0045, which is superseded and requires 
identification of the correct polarity after each maintenance action 
involving (re)connecting of the engine fire extinguisher cartridge 
electrical connector. This [EASA] AD also requires modification of 
the affected fire extinguisher circuit harnesses.

    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-2017-
0555.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Defense and Space S.A. has issued EADS CASA Service Bulletin 
SB-235-26-0005, dated July 9, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for modifying the installation of the fire extinguisher 
circuit harnesses.
    Airbus Defense and Space S.A. has also issued Airbus Military All 
Operator Letter (AOL) 235-020, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2013. The 
service information describes procedures for identifying the correct 
polarity of each pair of electrical connectors of the affected engine 
fire extinguisher cartridge, and repairing the erroneous wiring 
polarity if necessary.
    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

[[Page 27633]]

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 12 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The actions required by AD 2013-02-12, and retained in this 
proposed AD take about 4 work-hours per product, at an average labor 
rate of $85 per work-hour. Required parts cost about $0 per product. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that are 
required by AD 2013-02-12 is $340 per product.
    We also estimate that it would take about 11 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $3,280 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be about $50,580 or $4,215 per 
product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $0, for a cost of $85 
per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need this action.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-02-12, Amendment 39-17333 (78 FR 7262, February 1, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly Known as Construcciones 
Aeronauticas, S.A.): Docket No. FAA-2017-0555; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NM-183-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-02-12, Amendment 39-17333 (78 FR 7262, 
February 1, 2013) (``AD 2013-02-12'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly 
known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-
100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect electrical polarity 
connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect polarity 
connections, which could prevent the actuation of the discharge 
cartridge in case of automatic fire detection or manual initiation 
during a potential engine fire, and could result in damage to the 
airplane and injury to passengers.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection, With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2013-02-12, with revised service information. Within 30 days after 
March 8, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-02-12), do a one-time 
inspection to identify the correct polarity for each pair of 
electrical connectors on each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, in 
accordance with the Instructions of Airbus Military All Operator 
Letter 235-020, dated March 9, 2012; or Airbus Military All Operator 
Letter 235-020, Revision 1, dated November 12, 2013.

(h) New Requirement of This AD: Repetitive Inspections

    As of 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Before 
further flight after accomplishing each maintenance task involving 
disconnection or reconnection of an electrical connector of an 
engine fire extinguisher cartridge, determine the polarity of each 
pair of electrical connectors of the affected engine fire 
extinguisher cartridge, in accordance with the Instructions of 
Airbus Military All Operator Letter (AOL) 235-020, Revision 1, dated 
November 12, 2013.

(i) New Requirement of This AD: Corrective Action

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) or (h) of 
this AD, erroneous wiring polarity installation is detected, before 
further flight, repair the erroneous polarity in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA); or EADS CASA's EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA).

(j) New Requirement of This AD: Modification

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
installation of the fire extinguisher circuit harnesses, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-235-26-0005, dated July 9, 2014.

[[Page 27634]]

(k) Terminating Action

    The modification required in paragraph (j) of this AD terminates 
the actions required in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

(l) 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 the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) 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: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 EADS CASA's EASA DOA. If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0201, dated October 11, 2016, 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-2017-0555.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Defense and Space Services/Engineering Support, Avenida de 
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; 
fax +34 91 585 31 27; email MTA.TechnicalService@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 6, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12252 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P