Document ID: FAA-2021-0845-0005
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus SAS Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-02-14T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8169-8172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02996]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0845; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00651-T; 
Amendment 39-21929; AD 2022-03-12]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus SAS Model A330-200, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and 
Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600

[[Page 8170]]

series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the instructions 
on the doghouse door lock placard are unclear and incomplete. This AD 
requires replacing the placard with an improved instruction placard, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits the installation 
of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 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. 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-2021-0845.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0845; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3229; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0136, dated June 4, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0136) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus SAS A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, 
A330-243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, 
A330-341, A330-342, A330-343, A330-841, A330-941, A340-211, A340-212, 
A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, A340-542, A340-642, 
and A340-643 airplanes. Model A340-542 and A340-643 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 a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus SAS Model 
A330-200, -300, -800, and -900 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -
300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on October 7, 2021 (86 FR 55747). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports that the instructions on the doghouse door lock placard are 
unclear and incomplete. The NPRM proposed replacing the placard with an 
improved instruction placard, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0136. The 
NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of affected parts under 
certain conditions.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible incorrect operation 
of the doghouse door lock due to unclear and incomplete handling 
instructions on the door placard installed near the lock. This 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the latch, which 
could block the door in the closed position and prevent access to the 
emergency equipment inside the doghouse. 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) who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from Delta Air Lines (DAL). 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.

Request for Exception to Required Part

    DAL requested an exception to allow the use of internally 
manufactured placards having the same text and font size as the Diehl 
placard, part number (P/N) 1500500-00C844, specified in the Diehl 
Aviation service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0136. DAL 
stated that if one of the installed Diehl placards were missing or 
damaged, alternate placard sources may be able to provide replacements 
faster while maintaining an acceptable level of safety.
    The FAA does not agree with the requested exception. This AD 
mandates the use of a placard, P/N 1500500-00C844, specified in the 
Diehl Aviation service information. Operators may request to use an 
alternate placard through the alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
process specified in the provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 
Operators should provide justification that such an alternate placard 
meets all airworthiness requirements, not only that the placard would 
have the same text and font size. This AD has not been changed with 
regard to this request.

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 NPRM. 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 2021-0136 specifies procedures for replacing the 
instruction placard on the passenger cabin doghouse door. EASA AD 2021-
0136 also prohibits the installation of doghouses with incorrect 
instruction placards.
    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 62 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 8171]]

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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              Labor cost                      Parts cost            Cost per product     Cost on U.S.  operators
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...  Up to $95 per placard..  Up to $265 per placard.  Up to $16,430.*
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* Assuming one placard per product. The number of placards on an airplane depends on the passenger configuration
  and varies from operator to operator.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-03-12 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21929; Docket No. FAA-2021-0845; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00651-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus SAS airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of this AD.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
    (2) Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes.
    (3) Model A330-841 airplanes.
    (4) Model A330-941 airplanes.
    (5) Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
    (6) Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
    (7) Model A340-541 airplanes.
    (8) Model A340-642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that the instructions on the 
doghouse door lock placard are unclear and incomplete. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address possible incorrect operation of the 
doghouse door lock due to unclear and incomplete handling 
instructions on the door placard installed near the lock. This 
condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the latch, 
which could block the door in the closed position and prevent access 
to the emergency equipment inside the doghouse.

(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 
2021-0136, dated June 4, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0136).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0136

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0136 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Although EASA AD 2021-0136 specifies to ``remove the placard 
and install an improved handling instructions placard on each 
affected part,'' this AD requires replacing the placard on each 
affected part with an improved handling instructions placard.
    (3) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0136 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) 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 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 (j) 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 (i)(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

[[Page 8172]]

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 Vladimir Ulyanov, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3229; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2021-0136, 
dated June 4, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0136, 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.
    (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 January 24, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02996 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P