AD 2017-24-09

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 230 (Friday, December 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56865-56869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25763]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0708; Product Identifier 2017-NM-035-AD; Amendment 
39-19113; AD 2017-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-20-11, 
which applied to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus Model 
A310 series airplanes. AD 2016-20-11 required repetitive inspections of 
the external area of the aft cargo door sill beam for cracking, 
repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking of the cargo door sill 
beam, lock fitting, and torsion box plate, and repair if necessary. 
This new AD retains the inspections for cracking, and repair if 
necessary; and requires reinforcement of the aft cargo door sill beam 
area. This AD was prompted by the development of a reinforcement 
modification of the aft cargo door sill beam area, which constitutes 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 5, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2, 2014 
(79 FR 34403, June 17, 2014).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of January 
3, 2017 (81 FR 85837, November 29, 2016).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 44 51; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f09193939f859e84de919982879f828498dd959183b0919982928583de939f9d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c6d6f6f63796278226d657e7b637e786421696d7f4c6d657e6e797f226f6361">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; Internet 
<a href="http://www.airbus.com">http://www.airbus.com</a>. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0708.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0708; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-
647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;

[[Page 56866]]

telephone 425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2016-20-11, Amendment 39-18677 (81 FR 85837, 
November 29, 2016) (``AD 2016-20-11''). AD 2016-20-11 applied to 
certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A310 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 
27, 2017 (82 FR 34891). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that 
reinforcement of the aft cargo door sill beam area is necessary to 
address the unsafe condition, which constitutes terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections. The NPRM proposed to continue to require 
repetitive inspections of the external area of the aft cargo door sill 
beam for cracking, repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking of the 
cargo door sill beam, lock fitting, and torsion box plate, and repair 
if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require reinforcement of the 
aft cargo door sill beam area. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
fatigue cracking of the cargo door sill beam, lock fitting, and torsion 
box plate, which could result in the loss of the door locking function 
and subsequently, loss of the cargo door in flight and rapid 
decompression.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0048, dated March 15, 2017; corrected April 20, 2017 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A300-600 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    In the frame of the widespread fatigue damage (WFD) compliance 
study and after an in-service occurrence, the area of the aft cargo 
door sill beam and adjacent structure was identified as sensitive to 
the fatigue loads.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of multiple lock fittings, possibly resulting in loss of the 
cargo door in flight and consequent explosive decompression of the 
aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Alert 
Operators Transmission (AOT) A53W005-14 providing inspection 
instructions and, consequently, EASA issued Emergency AD 2014-0097-E 
[which corresponded to FAA AD 2014-12-06, Amendment 39-17867, (79 FR 
34403, June 17, 2014)] to require repetitive ultrasonic inspections 
(US) or detailed inspections (DET) of the aft cargo door sill beam 
area [and corrective actions if necessary].
    After that [EASA] AD was issued, further analysis indicated that 
repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections needed to 
be introduced, and Airbus published Service Bulletin (SB) A310-53-
2139 and SB A300-53-6179 to provide instructions. Prompted by this 
determination, EASA issued AD 2015-0150 [which corresponded to FAA 
AD 2016-20-11], retaining the requirements of EASA Emergency AD 
2014-0097-E, which was superseded, and required repetitive HFEC 
inspections of the concerned areas. The first HFEC inspection 
terminated the repetitive US/DET inspections. That [EASA] AD also 
required the inspection results to be reported.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Airbus developed a 
reinforcement modification of the aft cargo door sill beam area, and 
published Airbus SB A310-53-2141 and SB A300-53-6181, which were 
revised lately, to make this available for in-service application.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2015-0150, which is superseded, and requires 
modification [reinforcement] of the aft cargo door sill beam, which 
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
    This [EASA] AD is re-published to correct the compliance time 
description in Table 4.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0708.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Make the Mandatory Terminating Modification Optional

    FedEx requested that the terminating modification in paragraph (n) 
of the proposed AD be made an optional action. FedEx stated that they 
have inspected their airplanes as required by AD 2016-20-11 and have 
not found any cracks during HFEC inspections. FedEx noted that they 
have inspected airplanes having accumulated anywhere from 12,000 total 
flight cycles to 40,000 total flight cycles. FedEx suggested that the 
modification would be necessary on less than 1 percent of inspected 
airplanes over the next 10 years. FedEx claimed that the modification 
is an unproven change that has not been subjected to full scale fatigue 
testing. For these reasons, FedEx argued that inspections alone will 
maintain safe airworthiness for the affected airplanes.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. EASA, as the State of 
Design Authority for Airbus products, has determined an unsafe 
conditions exists after conducting a risk analysis taking into 
consideration in-service data for the worldwide fleet. We agree with 
EASA's risk assessment and their decision to mitigate the risk by 
mandating the modification in this AD. FedEx has not provided 
sufficient data to support their request to allow inspections in lieu 
of the modification. We have not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Update the Costs for the Modification

    FedEx requested that we update the labor costs for the modification 
in the proposed AD. FedEx stated that their labor costs for the 
modification will be an additional $10,000 per airplane. FedEx further 
noted that the modification would extend their service checks, 
resulting in additional out-of-service time for their airplanes and 
additional expenses.
    We partially agree with the commenter's request. The number of 
work-hours to complete the modification depends on the airplane's 
configuration. In the NPRM, we used the 40 work-hours estimate for the 
configuration that requires less time to modify. We have updated this 
final rule to reflect work-hour costs of up to 68 hours (the estimated 
work-hours for the other configuration) for the required modification.
    Regarding the additional costs related to extended service checks, 
we do not consider it appropriate to attribute the costs associated 
with aircraft ``downtime'' to the AD. Normally, compliance with the AD 
will not necessitate any additional downtime beyond that of a regularly 
scheduled maintenance hold. Even if additional downtime is necessary 
for some airplanes in some cases, we do not have sufficient information 
to evaluate the number of airplanes that may be affected or the amount 
of additional downtime that may be required. Therefore, we are unable 
to provide an estimate for these variable costs. We have made no 
further change to this final rule regarding this issue.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 56867]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-6181, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2015; and Service Bulletin A310-53-2141, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2015. This service information describes procedures for 
reinforcing the aft cargo door sill beam area. These documents are 
distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A300-53-6179, dated 
December 12, 2014; and Service Bulletin A310-53-2139, dated December 
12, 2014. This service information describes procedures for repetitive 
HFEC inspections of the cargo door sill beam, lock fitting, and torsion 
box plate. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane models.
    Airbus has also issued Alert Operators Transmission AOT A53W005-14, 
Revision 01, dated April 29, 2014, which describes procedures for doing 
an ultrasonic inspection or detailed inspection of the aft cargo door 
sill beam external area for cracking.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 75 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (retained action      12 work-hours x $85 per             N/A  $1,020 per          $76,500 per
 from AD 2016[dash]20[dash]11).   hour = $1,020 per                        inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
Modification (new action)......  Up to 68 work-hours x           $96,890  Up to $102,670....  Up to $7,700,250.
                                  $85 per hour = $5,780.
Reporting (retained action from  1 work hour x $85 per                $0  $85 per inspection  $6,375 per
 AD 2016[dash]20[dash]11).        hour = $85 per                           cycle.              inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that will enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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 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 current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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. 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.

Adoption of 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

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2016-20-11, Amendment 39-18677 (81 FR 85837, November 29, 2016), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-24-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-19113; Docket No. FAA-2017-0708; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-035-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 5, 2018.

[[Page 56868]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-20-11, Amendment 39-18677 (81 FR 85837, 
November 29, 2016) (``AD 2016-20-11'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(5) of this AD, certificated in any category, all 
manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus modification 05438 has 
been embodied in production, except those on which Airbus 
modification 12046 has been embodied in production.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 
airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (5) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks on the cargo 
door sill beam, lock fitting, and torsion box plate. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the cargo door sill beam, 
lock fitting, and torsion box plate, which could result in the loss 
of the door locking function and subsequently, loss of the cargo 
door in flight and rapid decompression.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2016-20-11, with no changes. Within the compliance time identified 
in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable: Do 
an ultrasonic inspection or detailed inspection of the aft cargo 
door sill beam external area for cracking, in accordance with Airbus 
Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A53W005-14, dated April 22, 2014; 
or Airbus AOT A53W005-14, Revision 01, dated April 29, 2014. Repeat 
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 275 flight 
cycles. As of January 3, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2016-20-11), 
use only Airbus AOT A53W005-14, Revision 01, dated April 29, 2014, 
to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 30,000 flight cycles or 
more since the airplane's first flight as of July 2, 2014 (the 
effective date of AD 2014-12-06, Amendment 39-17867, (79 FR 34403, 
June 17, 2014) (``AD 2014-12-06'')): Within 50 flight cycles after 
July 2, 2014.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 18,000 flight cycles or 
more, but fewer than 30,000 flight cycles since the airplane's first 
flight as of July 2, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-12-06): 
Within 275 flight cycles after July 2, 2014.
    (3) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 18,000 flight 
cycles since the airplane's first flight as of July 2, 2014 (the 
effective date of AD 2014-12-06): Before exceeding 18,275 flight 
cycles since the airplane's first flight.

(h) Retained Optional Terminating Action, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the provisions of paragraph (h) of AD 
2016-20-11, with no changes. Accomplishment of a high frequency eddy 
current (HFEC) inspection for cracking, in accordance with Airbus 
AOT A53W005-14, dated April 22, 2014; or AOT A53W005-14, Revision 
01, dated April 29, 2014; terminates the repetitive inspections 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane. If any 
cracking is found during the HFEC inspection, before further flight, 
repair using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA).

(i) Retained Reporting Requirement, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2016-20-11, with no changes. Submit a report of the findings (both 
positive and negative) of the inspection required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD to ``Airbus Service Bulletin Reporting Online 
Application'' on Airbus World (<a href="https://w3.airbus.com/">https://w3.airbus.com/</a>), at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the inspection results, including no 
findings.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after January 3, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2016-20-11): Submit the report within 30 days 
after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before January 3, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2016-20-11): Submit the report within 30 days 
after January 3, 2017.

(j) Retained Definition of Airplane Groups, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the definitions specified in paragraph 
(j) of AD 2016-20-11, with no changes. Paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), 
and (k)(3) of this AD refer to airplane groups, as identified in 
paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Airplanes on which an HFEC inspection was accomplished as 
specified in Airbus AOT A53W005-14.
    (2) Airplanes on which no HFEC inspection was accomplished as 
specified in Airbus AOT A53W005-14, that have accumulated more than 
18,000 total flight cycles as of January 3, 2017 (the effective date 
of AD 2016-20-11).
    (3) Airplanes on which no HFEC inspection was accomplished as 
specified in Airbus AOT A53W005-14, that have accumulated 18,000 
total flight cycles or fewer as of January 3, 2017 (the effective 
date of AD 2016-20-11).

(k) Retained Repetitive HFEC Inspections, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 
2016-20-11, with no changes. At the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (k)(1), (k)(2), or (k)(3) of this AD: Do an HFEC 
inspection for fatigue cracking of the cargo door sill beam, lock 
fitting, and torsion box plate, in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-53-6179, dated December 12, 2014; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-53-2139, dated December 12, 2014; as applicable. 
Repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
4,600 flight cycles.
    (1) For airplanes identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: 
Inspect within 4,600 flight cycles after the most recent HFEC 
inspection specified in Airbus AOT A53W005-14.
    (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD: 
Inspect within 2,000 flight cycles after January 3, 2017 (the 
effective date of AD 2016-20-11).
    (3) For airplanes identified in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD: 
Inspect before exceeding 13,000 total flight cycles since the 
airplane's first flight, or within 2,000 flight cycles after January 
3, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2016-20-11), whichever occurs 
later.

(l) Retained Corrective Action, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 
2016-20-11, with no changes. If any crack is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (g) or (k) of this AD: Before 
further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA.

(m) Retained Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections in Paragraph 
(g) of This AD, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the terminating action of paragraph 
(m)(1) of AD 2016-20-11, with no changes. For any airplane 
identified in paragraphs (j)(2) and (j)(3) of this AD, 
accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph (k) 
of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(n) New Cargo Door Reinforcement

    At the latest of the applicable times specified in paragraphs 
(n)(1), (n)(2), and (n)(3) of this AD: Reinforce the aft cargo door 
sill beam area, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6181, Revision 01, dated July 2, 
2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2141, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2015; as applicable.
    (1) Before exceeding 19,600 flight cycles since first flight of 
the airplane.
    (2) Within 2,300 flight cycles after the last HFEC or detailed 
inspection required by this AD that was accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

(o) New Terminating Action

    Modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (n) of this 
AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required by paragraphs (g) and (k) of this AD for the modified 
airplane only.

[[Page 56869]]

(p) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(n) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6181, dated 
June 26, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2141, dated June 
26, 2015; as applicable.

(q) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (r)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e47533f3033534f4f48533f33313d532c3b2f2b3b2d2a2d3e181f1f50191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="427b6f030c0f6f7373746f030f0d016f1007131707111611022423236c252d34">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2016-20-11 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, 
the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: 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 current 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 be approximately 1 
hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.
    (4) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (l) 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.

(r) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0048, dated March 15, 2017; corrected April 20, 
2017, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0708.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (s)(5) and (s)(6) of this AD.

(s) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 2, 2014 (79 FR 34403, June 17, 2014).
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W005-14, dated April 
22, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
January 3, 2017, (81 FR 85837, November 29, 2016).
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W005-14, Revision 01, 
dated April 29, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6179, dated December 12, 
2014.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6181, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2015.
    (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2139, dated December 12, 
2014.
    (v) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2141, Revision 01, dated 
July 2, 2015.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#761715151903180258171f04011904021e5b13170536171f041403055815191b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="167775757963786238777f64617964627e3b73776556777f647463653875797b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; 
Internet <a href="http://www.airbus.com">http://www.airbus.com</a>.
    (6) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (7) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 22, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25763 Filed 11-30-17; 8:45 am]
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