Document ID: FAA-2021-0506-0011
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-03-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16094-16097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05617]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0506; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00200-T; 
Amendment 39-21968; AD 2022-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-25-
11, which applied 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 required 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 
specified optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2013-25-11, new damage occurrences have been 
reported, and a different compliance time has been determined for 
certain inspections, depending on airplane configuration. This AD 
expands the applicability, removes the optional terminating action, and 
requires new repetitive inspections; 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 is effective April 26, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 26, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this

[[Page 16095]]

AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus service information identified 
in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point 
Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 
93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
internet https://www.airbus.com. 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. It is also available in the AD 
docket 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 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 final rule, the 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments 
received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

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 [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0172, dated July 20, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0172) (also referred to after this as 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. 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.
    The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD to 
supersede AD 2013-25-11, Amendment 39-17707 (78 FR 78705, December 27, 
2013) (AD 2013-25-11) that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111 
and -112, airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -
132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, 
and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -
231, and -232 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
June 22, 2021 (86 FR 32653) (the NPRM). The NPRM 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 NPRM proposed to expand the 
applicability, remove the optional terminating action, and require new 
repetitive inspections.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-25-11. AD 2013-25-11 
applied 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. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on November 
17, 2021 (86 FR 64092). The SNPRM proposed to establish a different 
compliance time for the initial inspection on certain airplane 
configurations. The SNPRM also proposed to expand the applicability, 
remove the optional terminating action, and require new repetitive 
inspections, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0172.
    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. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and United Airlines, who supported the SNPRM 
without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0172 specifies 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 2021-0172 also describes procedures for reporting 
inspection results to Airbus.
    The FAA has also reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1BKJ, 
Revision 02, dated April 9, 2020. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1BKJ, 
Revision 02, dated April 9, 2020, describes inspections of the 80VU 
rack lower lateral fittings, lower central support, upper fittings, 
central post, and shelves attachments for discrepancies and corrective 
action.
    The FAA has also reviewed Airbus Technical Adaptation 80827186/024/
2020, Issue 1, dated September 18, 2020, which addresses discrepancies 
found in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1BKJ, Revision 02, dated April 
9, 2020.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

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

[[Page 16096]]

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New 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 reporting requirement in this 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair...............................  122 work-hours x $85     $4,150.................  $14,520.
                                        per hour = $10,370.
Replacement..........................  Up to 189 work-hours x   Up to $6,928...........  Up to $22,993.
                                        $85 per hour = Up to
                                        $16,065.
Modification.........................  189 work-hours x $85     $7,407.................  $23,472.
                                        per hour = $16,065.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 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 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 currently 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 take 
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. 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.

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

    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,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 Amendment

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

2022-06-02 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21968; Docket No. FAA-2021-0506; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00200-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 26, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

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

[[Page 16097]]

(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.
    (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 
2021-0172, dated July 20, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0172).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0172

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0172 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The remarks section of EASA AD 2021-0172 does not apply to 
this AD.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0172 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.

(i) Method of Compliance for Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of EASA AD 
2021-0172

    Accomplishing inspections and correctives actions in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instruction of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
25-1BKJ, Revision 02, dated April 9, 2020, with corrections 
referenced in the Airbus Technical Adaptation 80827186/024/2020, 
Issue 1, dated September 18, 2020, is an acceptable method of 
compliance for the inspections and corrective actions specified in 
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of EASA AD 2021-0172.

(j) Additional 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 (k) of this 
AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
responsible Flight Standards 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, 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): Except as required by 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, 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.

(k) Related Information

    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 [email protected].

(l) 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) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1BKJ, Revision 02, dated 
April 9, 2020.
    (ii) Airbus Technical Adaptation 80827186/024/2020, Issue 1, 
dated September 18, 2020.
    (iii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0172, 
dated July 20, 2021.
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0172, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus 
service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, 
Airworthiness Office--EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 
44 51; email [email protected]; internet https://www.airbus.com.
    (4) 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.
    (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, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 8, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-05617 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P