AD 2020-26-18
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Airbus SAS | A330-243 | Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes |
| aircraft | Airbus SAS | A330-343 | Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes |
| aircraft | Airbus SAS | A330-941 | Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
surface corrosion on fillet fairing adjustable rods due to surface corrosion, which could lead to rod failures and consequent fillet fairing detachment, and possibly result in damage to the tailplane and reduced control of the airplane.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
replacing each affected fillet fairing adjustable rod with a serviceable part, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0209
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Before further flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941 airplanes
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during an inspection of the wing/fuselage fillet interface, evidence of black stains and white oxidation was found on several areas of the fillet fairing adjustable rods due to surface corrosion. This AD requires replacing each affected fillet fairing adjustable rod with a serviceable part, 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.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0209, dated October 5,
2020 (EASA AD 2020-0209).
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 86457-86459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28859]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2020 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 86457]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-1135; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01363-T;
Amendment 39-21373; AD 2020-26-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941 airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a report that during an inspection of the wing/fuselage
fillet interface, evidence of black stains and white oxidation was
found on several areas of the fillet fairing adjustable rods due to
surface corrosion. This AD requires replacing each affected fillet
fairing adjustable rod with a serviceable part, 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 becomes effective January 14, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 14,
2021.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by February 16, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact
the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49
221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8fcecbfccfeaeefceea1eafafde0ffeea1eafa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6e7e2d5e6c3c7d5c788c3d3d4c9d6c788c3d3">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu.
You may find this IBR material on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. You may view this IBR 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 on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1135.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1135; 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 AD, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8bea4a9aca1a5a1bae6bda4b1a9a6a7be88aea9a9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d7a1bbb6b3bebabea5f9a2bbaeb6b9b8a197b1b6b6f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0209, dated October 5, 2020
(EASA AD 2020-0209) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941 airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report that during an inspection of the
wing/fuselage fillet interface, evidence of black stains and white
oxidation was found on several areas of the fillet fairing adjustable
rods due to surface corrosion. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
surface corrosion, which could lead to rod failures and consequent
fillet fairing detachment, and possibly result in damage to the
tailplane and reduced control of the airplane. See the MCAI for
additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2020-0209 describes procedures for replacing each affected
fillet fairing adjustable rod with a serviceable part. 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
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 the State of Design Authority,
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD because the FAA evaluated
all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2020-0209 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation
authorities (CAAs) to
[[Page 86458]]
use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2020-0209 is incorporated by
reference in this final rule. This AD, therefore, requires compliance
with EASA AD 2020-0209 in its entirety, through that incorporation,
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory
text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of
a particular section in the EASA AD 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 the EASA AD. Service
information specified in EASA AD 2020-0209 that is required for
compliance with EASA AD 2020-0209 is available on the internet at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-1135.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
There are currently no domestic operators of these products.
Therefore, the FAA finds that notice and opportunity for prior public
comment are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-1135; Project
Identifier MCAI-2020-01363-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines,
WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6b0aaa7a2afabafb4e8b3aabfa7a8a9b086a0a7a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="681e04090c0105011a461d04110906071e280e0909460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and
comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt
this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply with
this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per (*) Up to $680.*
hour = Up to $680.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts
cost estimates for the replacements specified in this AD.
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 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 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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
[[Page 86459]]
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2020-26-18 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21373; Docket No. FAA-2020-1135;
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01363-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 14,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -343, and -941
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0209, dated October 5,
2020 (EASA AD 2020-0209).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that during an inspection of
the wing/fuselage fillet interface, evidence of black stains and
white oxidation was found on several areas of the fillet fairing
adjustable rods due to surface corrosion. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address surface corrosion, which could lead to rod failures and
consequent fillet fairing detachment, and possibly result in damage
to the tailplane and 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, EASA AD 2020-0209.
(h) Exception to EASA AD 2020-0209
The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0209 does not apply to
this AD.
(i) Other 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) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bb2a6caddd8a6cac2d9a6bcb8bba6cac6c4c8cbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4cdd9b5a2a7d9b5bda6d9c3c7c4d9b5b9bbb7b4929595da939b82">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax: 206-231-3229; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#285e44494c4145415a065d44514946475e684e4949064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="30465c5154595d59421e455c49515e5f46705651511e575f46">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) 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 2020-0209,
dated October 5, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2020-0209, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc8d88bf8ca9adbfade2a9b9bea3bcade2a9b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1b0b582b194908290df9484839e8190df9484">[email protected]</span></a>; Internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>.
(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. This material may be found in the AD
docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1135.
(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
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#610704051304064f0d0406000d210f0013004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9dfdcddcbdcde97d5dcded8d5f9d7d8cbd897ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on December 14, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-28859 Filed 12-29-20; 8:45 am]
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