2023-07167. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022–06–02, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318–111, and –112 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. AD 2022–06–02 required new repetitive inspections of the 80 view unit (80VU) rack lower lateral fittings, lower central support, upper fittings, central post, and shelves attachments for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that the compliances times must be revised to address the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022–06–02 with revised compliance times, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective May 12, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2022–1475; 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 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 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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2022–1475.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022–06–02, Amendment 39–21968 (87 FR 16094, March 22, 2022) (AD 2022–06–02). AD 2022–06–02 applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318–111, and –112 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. AD 2022–06–02 required new repetitive inspections of the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, lower central support, upper fittings, central post, and shelves attachments for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA issued AD 2022–06–02 to address damage or cracking of the 80VU fittings and supports, which could lead to possible disconnection of the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring during a critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2022 (87 FR 69228). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022–0120R1, dated June 30, 2022, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2022–0120R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI was prompted by reports of damaged lower lateral fittings of the 80VU rack and a determination that the compliance times must be revised. The MCAI states that damage or cracking of the 80VU fittings and supports could lead to possible disconnection of the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring during a critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2022–1475.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain all of the requirements in AD 2022–06–02 with revised compliance times, as specified in EASA AD 2022–0120R1, dated June 30, 2022. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received comments from United Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). Both supported the NPRM without change.

The FAA received an additional comment from American Airlines (AAL). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to that comment.

Request for Using a Borescope in Place of an Endoscope During the Inspections of the 80VU Components

AAL stated that EASA AD 2022–0120R1 requires the use of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–25–1BKJ, Revision 4, which changes all references from “borescope” to “endoscope” in the required for compliance (RC) inspection steps. AAL requested the AD include a statement that a “borescope” can be used in place of an “endoscope” during the inspections of the 80VU components as they are identical for purposes of this inspection. AAL stated it considers an endoscope and a borescope to be identical for the purposes of this inspection.

The FAA agrees with the change requested by AAL. The service instructions should allow for using a borescope in place of an endoscope during the inspections of the 80VU components. The FAA has added paragraph (h)(6) to this AD to include this information.

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 comments 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, and any other changes described previously, 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

EASA AD 2022–0120R1 specifies procedures for repetitive special detailed inspections of the 80VU rack lower lateral fittings, lower central support, upper fittings, central post, and shelves attachments for discrepancies (referred to as damaged, or parts not found in good condition in the service information) (including broken fittings, missing bolts, an electronics rack FIN 80VU that is in contact with structure, any bush that has migrated, burred material, and cracks), and corrective action if necessary. Corrective actions include modification, repair, and replacement. EASA AD 2022–0120R1 also describes procedures for reporting inspection results to Airbus.

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 1,528 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Retained actions from AD 2022–06–02	Up to 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $680	$0	Up to $680	Up to $1,039,040.
* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.

The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be $129,880, or $85 per product.

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Repair	122 work-hours × $85 per hour = $10,370	$4,150	$14,520.
Replacement	Up to 189 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $16,065	Up to $6,928	Up to $22,993.
Modification	189 work-hours × $85 per hour = $16,065	$7,407	$23,472.

Paperwork Reduction Act

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177–1524.

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022–06–02, Amendment 39–21968 ( 87 FR 16094, March 22, 2022); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023–05–14 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39–22383; Docket No. FAA–2022–1475; Project Identifier MCAI–2022–00823–T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 12, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2022–06–02, Amendment 39–21968 (87 FR 16094, March 22, 2022) (AD 2022–06–02).

(c) Applicability

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

(1) Model A318–111 and –112 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 25, Equipment/furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of damaged lower lateral fittings of the 80VU rack and a determination that the compliance times must be revised. The FAA is issuing this AD to address damage or cracking of the 80VU fittings and supports, which could lead to possible disconnection of the cable harnesses to one or more computers, and if occurring during a critical phase of flight, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

(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 2022–0120R1, dated June 30, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0120R1).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0120R1

(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0120R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0120R1 refers to the effective date of EASA AD 2021–0172, this AD requires using April 26, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022–06–02).

(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022–0120R1 specifies “any discrepancy,” for this AD “any discrepancy” includes broken fittings, missing bolts, an electronics rack FIN 80VU that is in contact with structure, any bush that has migrated, burred material, and cracks.

(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022–0120R1 specifies to “replace the damaged parts with new parts,” this AD allows replacing damaged parts with new or serviceable parts.

(5) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022–0120R1.

(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022–0120R1 specifies to use a “endoscope” during the inspections of the 80VU components, this AD allows using a borescope during the inspections of the 80VU components. An endoscope and a borescope are identical for the purposes of this inspection.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for the inspections and corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions were accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A320–25–1BKJ, Revision 02, dated April 9, 2020, with corrections referenced in the Airbus Technical Adaptation 80827186/024/2020, Issue 1, dated September 18, 2020.

(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)(1) 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 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 (j)(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 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.

(k) Additional Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

(2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; website airbus.com. 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.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 2022–0120R1, dated June 30, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2022–0120R1, 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 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 [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on March 9, 2023.

Christina Underwood,

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