2023-02010. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series 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. This AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture that led to a NLG collapse. This AD requires inspection of certain NLG and main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and eventual replacement of all affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). 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 8, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 8, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For EASA material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

• You may view this service information 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 at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1295.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Hye Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Model A318 series 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 October 20, 2022 (87 FR 63715). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2021-0236) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that NLG sliding tube rupture, leading to NLG collapse during taxiing, occurred on a Model A320 airplane. Investigations identified overheat damage on that NLG, caused by incorrect accomplishment of a repair on the chromium-plated diameter of the sliding tube during the last NLG overhaul. Further investigations identified a batch of NLG and MLG sliding tubes that are possibly affected by a similar condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent collapse of the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspection of certain NLG and MLG sliding tubes and applicable corrective actions and eventual replacement of all affected parts. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address NLGs and MLGs that may have been subject to the incorrect accomplishment of a repair, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent collapse of the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1295.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received a comment from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

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 reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2021-0236, which specifies procedures for a detailed inspection of the visible chrome surface of affected NLG and MLG sliding tubes for any discrepancies (cracks), a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI) of affected parts for any discrepancies (cracks), eventual replacement of affected parts, and corrective actions. Corrective actions include immediate replacement of the NLG or MLG sliding tube or shock absorber. 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 .

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,825 airplanes of U.S. registry. Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes that would need the required actions because the affected part is not installed on any U.S.-registered airplanes. U.S.-registered airplanes therefore would need to comply with only the parts prohibition specified in this AD.

If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply with the required actions in this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Labor cost	Parts cost *	Cost per product
50 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,250	$0	$4,250
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the replacement parts specified in this AD.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-01-01 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22295; Docket No. FAA-2022-1295; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01181-T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 8, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category.

(1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 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 32, Landing gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of a nose landing gear (NLG) sliding tube rupture leading to an NLG collapse. The FAA is issuing this AD to address NLGs and main landing gears (MLGs) that may have been subject to the incorrect accomplishment of a repair, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to NLG or MLG structural failure and subsequent collapse of the gears, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Requirements

Except as specified in paragraphs (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 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0236).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0236

(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0236 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a detailed visual inspection, replace the text “the instructions of the AOT” with “paragraphs 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.5 of the AOT.”

(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to do a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and a Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI), replace the text “the instructions of the AOT” with “paragraphs 4.2.2.3 and 4.2.2.6 of the AOT.”

(4) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies that “if discrepancies are detected on an affected part” for this AD discrepancies include cracking and heat damage.

(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to quarantine parts, this AD does not require that action.

(6) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0236.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0236 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail]. 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 Approval Organization (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(l) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0236, dated October 29, 2021.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2021-0236, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]; 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 service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on January 4, 2023.

Gaetano A. Sciortino,

Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.