2022-12933. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-16-03, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2021-16-03 requires an inspection for missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at certain locations in the wing tanks, and corrective action. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-16-03, a modification was developed to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions of AD 2021-16-03 and would require a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 August 1, 2022.

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 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Fax: [phone].

• 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail] ; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0678.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0678; 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.

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:

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-2022-0678; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00067-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 https://www.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 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 Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2021-16-03, Amendment 39-21665 (86 FR 47555, August 26, 2021) (AD 2021-16-03), which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2021-16-03 requires an inspection for missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at certain locations in the wing tanks, and corrective action. The FAA issued AD 2021-16-03 to address missing or incorrectly applied sealant, which in combination with an undetected incorrect installation of an adjacent fastener and a lightning strike in the immediate area, could result in ignition of the fuel-air mixture inside the affected fuel tanks and loss of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2021-16-03 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2021-16-03, Airbus developed new service information to address this issue by providing a modification to aircraft wing upper cover locations that may be affected. Embodiment of this modification ensures that the correction of missing sealant will restore the two independent layers of lightning strike protection. In addition, the compliance time for the inspections was revised from “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 6 years from Airbus date of manufacture” to “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture.”

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0011, dated January 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0011) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes.

This proposed AD was prompted by in-production findings of missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at specific locations in the wing tanks, and by the development of a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover. The FAA is proposing this AD to address missing or incorrectly applied sealant, which in combination with an undetected incorrect installation of an adjacent fastener and a lightning strike in the immediate area, could result in ignition of the fuel-air mixture inside the affected fuel tanks and loss of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Explanation of Retained Requirements

Although this proposed AD does not explicitly restate the requirements of AD 2021-16-03, this proposed AD would retain all of the requirements of AD 2021-16-03. Those requirements are referenced in EASA AD 2022-0011, which, in turn, is referenced in paragraph (g) of this proposed AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2022-0011 specifies procedures for an inspection for missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at certain locations in the wing tanks (discrepancies), and corrective action. Corrective actions include applying sealant in areas where sealant was found to be missing or incorrectly applied. EASA AD 2022-0011 also specified procedures for a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover.

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.

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the 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 these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2022-0011 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 2022-0011 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2022-0011 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 2022-0011 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 2022-0011. Service information required by EASA AD 2022-0011 for compliance will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0678 after the FAA final rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 27 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Retained actions from AD 2021-16-03	Up to 67 work-hours × $85 per hour = $5,695	$0	Up to $5,695	Up to $153,765.
New proposed actions (modification)	Up to 55 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,675	Up to $500	Up to $5,175	Up to $139,725.

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

Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

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

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) 2021-16-03, Amendment 39-21665 ( 86 FR 47555, August 26, 2021); and

b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2022-0678; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00067-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by August 1, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2021-16-03, Amendment 39-21665 (86 FR 47555, August 26, 2021) (AD 2021-16-03).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0011, dated January 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0011).

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by in-production findings of missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at specific locations in the wing tanks and by the development of a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection on the wing upper cover. The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing or incorrectly applied sealant, which in combination with an undetected incorrect installation of an adjacent fastener and a lightning strike in the immediate area, could result in ignition of the fuel-air mixture inside the affected fuel tanks and loss 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, EASA AD 2022-0011.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0011

(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to October 27, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0220), this AD requires using September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).

(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0011 gives a compliance time of “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after 27 October 2020 [the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0220],” for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD.

(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after September30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).

(ii) Within 12 months after September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-16-03).

(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0011 refers to “discrepancies,” for this AD, discrepancies include missing or incorrectly applied sealant.

(5) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0011 gives a compliance time of “the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this [EASA] AD,” for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD.

(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 78 months since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.

(ii) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

(6) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2022-0011 does not apply to this AD.

(i) Additional FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) 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, Large Aircraft Section, 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 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.

(j) Related Information

(1) For EASA AD 2022-0011, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail] ; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://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. This material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0678.

(2) 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].

Issued on June 10, 2022.

Christina Underwood,

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