Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/08/10/2018-16501/airworthiness-directives-airbus-sas-airplanes
Timestamp: 2018-08-17 06:39:06
Document Index: 411106292

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

39633-39636 (4 pages)
Docket No. FAA-2018-0639
Product Identifier 2018-NM-058-AD
Relationship Between Proposed AD and AD 2017-19-13
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-16501 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-16501
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, and A330-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision of a certain airworthiness limitations item (ALI) document, which specifies new or more restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations, and a determination that those maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0639; 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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2018-0639; Product Identifier 2018-NM-058-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because of those comments.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0068, dated March 26, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, and A330-300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:
The airworthiness limitations for Airbus A330 and A340 aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the A330 and A340 [Airworthiness Limitations Section] ALS document(s). The Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI) are specified in the ALS Part 2. These instructions have been identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness.
Failure to comply with these instructions could result in an unsafe condition [i.e., fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements] which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Previously, EASA issued AD 2016-0152 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2017-19-13, Amendment 39-19043 (82 FR 43837, September 20, 2017) (“AD 2017-19-13”)] for A330 and A340 aeroplanes to require accomplishment of all maintenance tasks as described in ALS Part 2 Revision 01 (A330 aeroplanes) and Revision 02 (A340 aeroplanes).
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus published Revision 02 of the ALS Part 2 for A330 aeroplanes, including new and/or more restrictive items.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD takes over the requirements from EASA AD 2016-0152 for A330 aeroplanes, and requires accomplishment of all maintenance tasks as described in the ALS. EASA AD 2016-0152 has been revised accordingly, removing A330 aeroplanes from the Applicability.
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-2018-0639.
This NPRM does not propose to supersede AD 2017-19-13. Rather, we have determined that a stand-alone AD is more appropriate to address the changes in the MCAI. This NPRM would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would then terminate all requirements of AD 2017-19-13.
Airbus has issued Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2—Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 02, Issue 2, dated November 22, 2017. This service information describes maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations applicable to the DT-ALI. 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.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative Start Printed Page 39635method of compliance according to paragraph (j)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure.
This proposed AD therefore would apply to Model A330 airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of airworthiness that was issued on or before the date of the ALS revision identified in this proposed AD. Operators of airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of airworthiness issued after that date must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet.
Start Part Start Printed Page 39636
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2018-0639; Product Identifier 2018-NM-058-AD.
This AD affects AD 2017-19-13, Amendment 39-19043 (82 FR 43837, September 20, 2017) (“AD 2017-19-13”).
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2—Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 02, Issue 2, dated November 22, 2017. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the tasks is at the applicable times specified in Airbus A330 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2—Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT-ALI), Revision 02, Issue 2, dated November 22, 2017, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(ii) AMOC letter AIR-676-18-111 R1, dated January 29, 2018, approved previously for AD 2017-19-13, is approved as an AMOC for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0068, dated March 26, 2018, 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-2018-0639.
[FR Doc. 2018-16501 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]