Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/05/11/2018-09847/airworthiness-directives-airbus-airplanes
Timestamp: 2019-08-21 07:07:10
Document Index: 79250658

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

21955-21961 (7 pages)
Docket No. FAA-2018-0390
Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-AD
FAA-2018-0390
2017-NM-130-AD Airbus Model A300 series airplanes
Relationship of Proposed AD to AD 2014-16-13
(i) Terminating Action for AD 2014-16-13
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-09847 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-09847
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitation items (ALI) document. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the specified maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.Start Printed Page 21956
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0390; 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 NPRM, 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.
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-2018-0390; Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-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 based on 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 2017-0145, dated August 31, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:
Some airworthiness limitations previously defined in A300 ALS Part 1 have been removed from that document and should normally be included in an ALS Part 4. Airbus does not plan to issue an ALS Part 4 for A300 aeroplanes.
Nevertheless, failure to comply with these airworthiness limitations could result in an unsafe condition.
For the reason described above, it has been decided to require the application of these airworthiness limitations through a separate AD.
Previously, EASA issued AD 2013-0210 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2014-16-13, Amendment 39-17937 (79 FR 51083, August 27, 2014) (“AD 2014-16-13”)] to require implementation of airworthiness limitations applicable to main landing gear (MLG) barrel assembly, retraction actuator assembly, linkage assembly and flanged duct, which were previously defined in Revision 00 of A300 ALS Part 1 but removed from Revision 01 of A300 ALS Part 1, adding those limits as an Appendix to the AD.
Since EASA AD 2013-0210 was issued, improvement of safe life component selection resulted, among others, in removal of 15 nose landing gear (NLG) parts from Revision 02 of A300 ALS Part 1.
Consequently, this [EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2013-0210, which is superseded, and requires, in addition to the implementation of airworthiness limitations already contained in EASA AD 2013-0210, the implementation of airworthiness limitations applicable to NLG barrel assembly and shock absorber assembly, previously contained in Revision 01 of A300 ALS Part 1, as specified in Appendix 1 of this AD.
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-2018-0390.
This NPRM would not supersede AD 2014-16-13. Rather, we have determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate to address the changes in the MCAI. This NPRM would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would then terminate all requirements of AD 2014-16-13.
This proposed AD requires 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 method of compliance according to paragraph (j)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:Start Printed Page 21957
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2018-0390; Product Identifier 2017-NM-130-AD.
This AD affects AD 2014-16-13, Amendment 39-17937 (79 FR 51083, August 27, 2014) (“AD 2014-16-13”).
This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes, certificated in any category.
This AD was prompted by a revision of an airworthiness limitation items (ALI) document. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane and possible loss of controllability of the airplane.
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the safe life limits included in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. The initial compliance time for the replacements is prior to the applicable life limits specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. The term “FH” in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD means total flight hours. The term “LDG” in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD means total airplane landings.
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Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all requirements of AD 2014-16-13.
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0145, dated August 31, 2017, 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-2018-0390.
[FR Doc. 2018-09847 Filed 5-10-18; 8:45 am]