Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
| Published date | 17 July 2024 |
| Record Number | 2024-15378 |
| Citation | 89 FR 58081 |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
| Section | Proposed rules |
Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2024)
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58081-58084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15378]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-1888; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00190-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus SAS Model Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the lower
attachment studs on the aft galley complex may be installed incorrectly
due to a missing instruction in the maintenance procedure task. This
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the lower attachment
studs on the aft galley complex, and depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, as specified in a
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for
incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September
3, 2024.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1888; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1888.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dat Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-
7300; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-1888; Project Identifier
MCAI-2024-00190-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI
[[Page 58082]]
as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dat
Le, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0073, dated March 18, 2024
(EASA AD 2024-0073) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model Airbus A350-941 and A350-
1041 airplanes. The MCAI states that the maintenance procedure task of
the galley lower attachment stud installation did not provide the
required maximum distance between the top of the threaded sleeve and
the top of the threaded stud, which could lead to a wrong installation
of the lower attachment stud having part number (P/N) XP14-070-007800,
P/N XP14-070-019100, P/N XP14-070-005400, P/N XP14-070-008400, and P/N
XP14-070-001100 on the aft galley complex. The MCAI also states that
the affected parts are the lower attachment stud having P/N XP14-070-
007800, P/N XP14-070-019100, P/N XP14-070-005400, P/N XP14-070-008400,
and P/N XP14-070-001100 for which the as previously described
incomplete maintenance procedure task has been accomplished after the
airplane date of manufacture and before January 2024; and the lower
attachment stud P/N XP14-070-019100 which has been installed after the
airplane date of manufacture, and before January 2024, in accordance
with the instructions of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A25P023-
22, Revision 01, dated September 27, 2022.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address a possible wrong
installation for the lower attachment stud having part number (P/N)
XP14-070-007800, P/N XP14-070-019100, P/N XP14-070-005400, P/N XP14-
070-008400, and P/N XP14-070-001100 on the aft galley complex. This
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to galley module
detachment, with possible consequent injury to cabin crew and
passengers, and reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane in case
of an emergency.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1888.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0073 specifies a one-time installation inspection of
the lower attachment stud having P/N XP14-070-007800, P/N XP14-070-
019100, P/N XP14-070-005400, P/N XP14-070-008400, and P/N XP14-070-
001100 on the aft galley complex; and depending on findings (the
distance between the top of the threaded sleeves and the top of the
threaded studs exceeds specified limits), accomplishment of applicable
corrective actions (tightening the applicable threaded studs).
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 ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2024-0073 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0073 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0073 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0073 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2024-
0073. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0073 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1888 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 32 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
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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Up to 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 Up to $255........... Up to $8,160.
$255.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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 this on-condition action:
[[Page 58083]]
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 per $10 $95
stud adjustment.....................
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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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2024-1888; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00190-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 3, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model Airbus A350-941 and A350-
1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0073, dated
March 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0073).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the lower
attachment studs on aft galley complex may be installed incorrectly
due to a missing instruction in the maintenance procedure task. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address a possible wrong installation for
the lower attachment stud having part number (P/N) XP14-070-007800,
P/N XP14-070-019100, P/N XP14-070-005400, P/N XP14-070-008400, and
P/N XP14-070-001100 on the aft galley complex. This condition, if
not detected and corrected, could lead to galley module detachment,
with possible consequent injury to cabin crew and passengers, and
reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane in case of an
emergency.
(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, EASA AD 2024-0073.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0073
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0073 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0073.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
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 manager of the
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address 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, 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 material referenced in EASA AD
2024-0073 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC
paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, 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 instructions identified as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
Any substitutions or changes to instructions identified as RC
require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dat Le, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
[[Page 58084]]
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0073,
dated March 18, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2024-0073 identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at 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 at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].
Issued on July 9, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15378 Filed 7-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
