2016-20696. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that non-conforming aluminum alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts on the inboard flap. This proposed AD would require identification of the potentially affected inboard flap parts, a one-time eddy current inspection to identify which material the parts are made of, and depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct structural parts of inboard flaps made of nonconforming aluminum alloy, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 17, 2016.

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 http://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; Internet: http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-8851; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2016-8851; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-070-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0082, dated April 27, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-500, and -600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

Following an Airbus quality control review on the final assembly line, it was discovered that non-conforming aluminium alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts on the inboard flap.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) A330-57-3120 and SB A340-57-5036 to provide instructions to identify and inspect the potentially affected parts.

For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires identification of the potentially affected inboard flap parts, a one-time Special Detailed Inspection (SDI) [eddy current measurement] to identify which material they are made of and, depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts.

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-2016-8851.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3120, dated September 18, 2015; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5036, dated September 18, 2015. The service information describes procedures for inspecting inboard flaps using eddy current inspection methods. This service information 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 and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 31 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Inspection	5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425	$0	$425	$13,175

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these replacements:

On-Condition Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Remove and Replace Flap	60 work-hours × $85 per hour = $5,100	Unavailable	$5,100

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. The cost of purchasing a flap spare is not available. As a result, we have included only labor costs in our 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.

We are 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

We 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. Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and

4. 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 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-8851; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-070-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by October 17, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes; A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes; A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; A340-541 airplanes; and A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports that nonconforming aluminum alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts on the inboard flap. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct structural parts of inboard flaps made of nonconforming aluminum alloy, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inboard Flap Serial Number Identification

Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Inspect each left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) inboard flap, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3120, dated September 18, 2015; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5036, dated September 18, 2015; as applicable; to identify the serial number. A review of airplane delivery and maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of inspecting the inboard flaps, provided those records can be relied upon for that purpose and the serial number of the affected parts can be conclusively identified from that review. The serial numbers of affected inboard flaps are identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.

Note 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD:

Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3120, dated September 18, 2015; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5036, dated September 18, 2015; list the serial numbers of potentially affected LH and RH inboard flaps and the corresponding airplane serial number on which these parts were installed during production. The airplane serial number list is for information only, as it cannot be excluded that a potentially affected inboard flap has been removed from an airplane and later re-installed on another airplane.

Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD—Affected Flap Serial Numbers (s/n)

Date of first operation	LH s/n	RH s/n	Date of first operation	LH s/n	RH s/n	Date of first operation	LH s/n	RH s/n
29/09/10	11004	11004	28/02/11	11202	11201	19/12/12	11349	11349
21/07/09	11030	11028	22/02/11	11198	11202	17/12/12	11352	11352
17/08/09	11034	11002	07/03/11	11203	11203	15/11/12	11353	11353
21/05/10	11031	11031	30/03/11	11204	11204	30/10/12	11354	11354
09/08/10	11071	11071	31/05/11	11205	11229	22/10/12	11355	11355
10/07/09	11033	11057	15/03/11	11206	11206	31/10/12	11383	11357
06/08/10	11036	11098	24/03/11	11208	11208	30/10/12	11380	11356
29/07/09	11035	11035	04/04/11	11209	11209	26/11/12	11359	11393
19/08/09	11057	11036	22/03/11	11210	11210	30/11/12	11361	11361
23/12/09	11037	11033	23/03/11	11211	11213	16/11/12	11358	11358
14/09/09	11038	11038	24/03/11	11212	11212	30/11/12	11325	11360
17/09/10	11042	11039	14/04/11	11213	11214	12/12/12	11399	11365
23/09/09	11040	11040	14/04/11	11229	11215	26/11/12	11362	11362
11/09/09	11041	11041	11/04/11	11215	11217	09/11/12	11363	11363
12/05/10	11046	11042	06/04/11	11216	11216	30/11/12	11364	11364
01/10/09	11043	11043	12/04/11	11217	11219	23/11/12	11365	11368
01/10/09	11044	11044	15/04/11	11218	11218	07/12/12	11366	11366
08/09/09	11047	11045	04/05/11	11219	11221	06/12/12	11367	11367
07/09/09	11049	11046	29/04/11	11220	11220	19/12/12	11368	11370
18/09/09	1970	11047	11/05/11	11238	11222	11/12/12	11369	11369
30/09/09	11048	11048	13/05/11	11222	11223	21/12/12	11370	11372
26/10/09	11055	11049	06/05/11	11223	11224	13/12/12	11372	11375
03/09/10	11051	11051	19/05/11	11224	11225	20/12/12	11373	11373
30/10/09	11054	11054	19/05/11	11225	11205	21/12/12	11374	11374
19/11/09	11053	11053	29/06/11	11226	11226	16/01/13	11375	11377
28/10/10	11008	11019	25/05/11	11227	11227	11/01/13	11376	11376
27/10/09	11015	11055	16/05/11	11228	11228	15/01/13	11377	11350
28/10/09	11059	11059	10/06/11	11092	11092	05/02/13	11378	11381
29/10/09	11060	11060	23/11/11	11231	11231	25/01/13	11379	11379
16/11/10	11063	11063	08/07/11	11232	11232	18/01/13	11382	11380
23/12/09	11061	11061	23/06/11	11234	11234	22/03/13	11381	11382
23/11/09	11066	11066	22/06/11	11233	11233	27/02/13	11371	11371
03/11/10	11070	11070	24/06/11	11237	11237	08/03/13	11385	11383
30/11/09	11065	11065	15/06/11	11235	11235	06/02/13	11384	11384
30/11/09	11032	11032	01/07/11	11236	11236	05/02/13	11386	11385
18/11/09	11067	11067	12/07/11	11239	11239	19/02/13	11406	11389
17/12/09	11072	11072	25/11/11	11115	11115	16/03/13	11387	11387
24/11/09	11074	11074	29/07/11	11240	11240	25/02/13	11388	11388
17/09/10	11147	11147	06/10/11	11243	11243	15/02/13	11390	11390
23/12/09	11095	11095	29/07/11	11244	11241	25/02/13	11392	11392
10/12/09	11075	11075	03/08/11	11245	11245	01/03/13	11391	11403
07/12/09	11076	11076	29/08/11	11246	11244	01/03/13	11394	11394
23/12/09	11077	11077	22/08/11	11247	11247	11/03/13	11393	11395
22/12/09	11069	11069	20/12/11	11248	11246	08/03/13	11397	11397
07/12/09	11079	11079	30/08/11	11249	11249	14/03/13	11395	11399
19/01/10	11078	11078	25/08/11	11136	11248	18/03/13	11396	11396
11/02/10	11081	11081	06/09/11	11250	11250	18/03/13	11356	11400
26/03/10	11080	11080	27/09/11	11252	11254	28/03/13	11398	11398
28/01/10	11082	11082	28/09/11	11221	11251	22/03/13	11401	11401
28/01/10	11084	11084	15/09/11	11214	11255	09/04/13	11400	11402
04/02/10	11098	11030	20/10/11	11266	11256	21/03/13	11404	11404
29/01/10	11085	11085	19/12/11	11258	11258	09/04/13	11402	11405
05/02/10	11039	11037	19/10/11	11255	11259	26/04/13	11403	11407
29/03/10	11086	11086	10/11/11	11259	11260	15/04/13	11360	11406
09/03/10	11087	11087	05/10/11	11261	11261	11/04/13	11407	11408
15/04/10	11088	11088	17/10/11	11260	11263	19/04/13	11409	11409
16/04/10	11089	11089	10/11/11	11254	11252	24/04/13	11410	11410
29/03/10	11090	11090	17/11/11	11262	11262	19/04/13	11411	14411
11/06/10	11091	11091	16/11/11	11263	11264	22/04/13	11408	11412
22/06/11	11230	11230	16/11/11	11264	11265	26/04/13	11413	11413
23/03/10	11093	11093	25/11/11	11265	11266	30/04/13	11414	11414
23/02/10	11094	11094	28/11/11	11267	11267	22/04/13	11412	11415
24/03/10	11073	11073	05/12/11	11268	11268	15/07/13	11416	11416
31/03/10	11096	11096	29/11/11	11270	11270	17/05/13	11405	11417
16/03/10	11097	11097	06/12/11	11271	11271	28/05/13	11415	11418
10/03/10	11101	11101	12/12/11	11272	11272	23/05/13	11419	11419
15/03/10	11099	11099	07/12/11	11275	11275	17/05/13	11417	11421
23/03/10	11100	11100	14/12/11	11269	11269	30/05/13	11418	11420
16/06/10	11105	11105	15/12/11	11274	11274	30/05/13	11357	11386
07/12/10	11102	11130	12/12/11	11276	11276	27/05/13	11420	11422
13/04/10	11106	11106	11/01/12	11279	11279	13/06/13	11421	11423
27/04/10	11104	11104	20/01/12	11278	11278	04/06/13	11424	11424
30/04/10	11103	11103	19/01/12	11164	11164	17/06/13	11426	11378
07/04/10	11108	11108	12/01/12	11277	11277	10/06/13	11423	11427
16/04/10	11133	11133	19/01/12	11280	11281	27/06/13	11428	11428
10/05/10	11114	11114	23/01/12	11298	11282	20/06/13	11425	11425
10/05/10	11110	11110	17/01/12	11282	11284	27/06/13	11429	11426
06/05/10	11116	11116	30/01/12	11283	11283	21/06/13	11427	11429
27/05/10	11112	11112	01/02/12	11284	11285	01/07/13	11434	11434
13/07/11	11241	11238	24/02/12	11286	11286	01/07/13	11432	11432
11/05/10	11111	11034	17/02/12	11285	11287	23/07/13	11430	11430
17/06/10	11118	11118	29/02/12	11287	11289	31/07/13	11431	11431
09/06/10	11120	11120	22/02/12	11288	11288	19/07/13	11436	11436
16/07/10	11122	11122	23/02/12	11289	11291	12/07/13	11433	11433
06/07/10	11123	11123	24/02/12	11290	11290	01/08/13	11437	11437
21/05/10	11124	11124	21/02/12	11291	11293	15/07/13	11435	11435
12/07/10	11126	11126	04/04/12	11292	11292	19/07/13	11438	11316
28/06/10	11127	11127	05/04/12	11293	11294	13/11/13	11440	11438
18/06/10	11129	11129	20/03/12	11294	11296	06/08/13	11441	11441
22/06/10	11130	11102	09/03/12	11295	11295	02/08/13	11439	11439
24/09/10	11135	11135	30/03/12	11296	11298	05/08/13	11442	11440
25/06/10	11132	11132	29/03/12	11297	11297	09/08/13	11443	11391
26/07/10	E11006	11111	16/03/12	11299	11175	27/08/13	11446	11442
23/07/10	11138	11138	29/03/12	11300	11300	19/08/13	11447	11443
14/09/11	11251	11136	18/04/12	11281	11301	04/09/13	11444	11444
15/07/10	11062	11062	12/04/12	11302	11180	03/09/13	11445	11445
23/07/10	11141	11141	26/04/12	11301	11303	25/09/13	11449	11446
23/08/10	11145	11145	20/04/12	11303	11306	13/09/13	11450	11447
27/08/10	11117	11117	24/04/12	11304	11307	29/10/13	11448	11448
13/08/10	11146	11146	27/04/12	11305	11305	26/09/13	11453	11449
13/09/10	11149	11149	25/04/12	11306	11308	02/12/13	11454	11450
27/09/10	11150	11150	26/04/12	11307	11196	25/09/13	11451	11451
14/11/11	11148	11148	14/05/12	11308	11310	25/09/13	11472	11464
17/09/10	11151	11151	10/05/12	11310	11312	27/09/13	11457	11453
28/09/10	11107	11107	11/05/12	11312	11317	28/10/13	11458	11454
27/09/10	11159	11159	09/05/12	11309	11299	22/10/13	11456	11455
25/10/10	11153	11153	25/05/12	11311	11311	11/10/13	11455	11456
29/09/10	11155	11155	29/05/12	11313	11313	25/10/13	11459	11459
08/10/10	11156	11156	31/05/12	11314	11314	20/11/13	11460	11458
13/10/10	11157	11157	28/06/12	11317	11315	17/10/13	11461	11461
15/10/10	11168	11168	15/06/12	11316	11336	21/10/13	11462	11460
13/10/10	11186	11160	15/06/12	11318	11318	23/10/13	11463	11463
22/10/10	11161	11161	31/05/12	11319	11319	05/11/13	11465	11462
22/10/10	11163	11163	18/06/12	11320	11320	04/11/13	11466	11466
25/01/12	11256	11280	22/06/12	11321	11321	13/11/13	11452	11473
22/11/10	11165	11165	19/07/12	11322	11322	04/11/13	11389	11465
10/11/10	11167	11167	29/06/12	11323	11323	22/11/13	11468	11457
02/12/10	1960	1960	11/07/12	11324	11324	27/11/13	11467	11467
15/11/10	11169	11169	26/06/12	11348	11325	11/12/13	11470	11468
30/11/10	11178	11170	09/07/12	11326	11326	18/11/13	11469	11469
10/11/10	11171	11171	03/07/12	11327	11327	02/12/13	11474	11470
30/11/10	11183	11172	12/07/12	11328	11328	02/12/13	11471	11471
26/11/10	11173	11173	16/07/12	11329	11329	30/12/13	11503	11488
14/12/10	11174	11174	24/08/12	11330	11330	16/12/13	11476	11474
15/06/12	11175	11302	13/07/12	11331	11331	16/12/13	11477	11477
19/11/10	11177	11177	23/07/12	11332	11332	06/12/13	11475	11475
23/12/10	11172	11178	29/08/12	11333	11333	03/12/13	11479	11476
11/04/12	11315	11304	10/08/12	11334	11334	09/12/13	11480	11480
16/12/10	11181	11181	23/07/12	11335	11335	09/12/13	11478	11489
15/12/10	11184	11183	30/08/12	11337	11337	09/12/13	11481	11481
15/12/10	11187	11184	30/07/12	11336	11309	17/12/13	11482	11482
14/01/11	11188	11188	31/08/12	11180	11339	09/01/14	11483	11483
25/01/11	11189	11187	18/09/12	11340	11340	21/01/14	11484	11484
21/01/11	11160	11189	30/11/12	11339	11341	27/02/14	11486	11486
12/01/11	11190	11190	12/09/12	11341	11343	27/01/14	11487	11487
25/01/11	11192	11186	15/10/12	11343	11345	17/01/14	11485	11485
07/02/11	11191	11191	17/09/12	11346	11347	31/01/14	11489	11490
07/02/11	11193	11192	28/09/12	11345	11344	14/01/14	11490	11491
18/02/11	11195	11193	09/10/12	11342	11342	29/01/14	11488	11492
24/02/11	11196	11195	24/09/12	11344	11346	30/01/14	11492	11493
25/02/11	11199	11211	15/10/12	11347	9015	24/01/14	11493	11479
25/02/11	11200	11198	21/09/12	11338	11348	27/02/14	11491	11494
21/02/11	11201	11199	19/10/12	11350	11359	16/06/14	11495	11495
14/02/11	11170	11200	17/10/12	11351	11351	14/02/14	11498	11498

(h) Eddy Current Conductivity Measurement

For each affected inboard flap, within 6 years after the effective date of this AD, or within 12 years after the date of the flap first operation, whichever occurs first, accomplish an eddy current conductivity measurement, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3120, dated September 18, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5036, dated September 18, 2015; as applicable.

Note 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD:

The date of first operation is shown in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD as day, month, year (dd/mm/yy).

(i) Replacement

If a part manufactured from non-conforming material is detected during the eddy current inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, within 30 days after doing the eddy current inspection, replace the affected part using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

As of the effective date of this AD, an inboard flap may be installed on any airplane, provided the part is a serviceable part. A serviceable part is:

(1) A part that is not listed by serial number in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD; or

(2) A part that has a serial number listed in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, but which has passed an eddy current conductivity measurement in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3120, dated September 18, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5036, dated September 18, 2015; as applicable.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]. 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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): 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.

(l) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0082, dated April 27, 2016, 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-2016-8851.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; Internet: http://www.airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 18, 2016.

Dorr M. Anderson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.