[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 149 (Monday, August 3, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46531-46533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16728]
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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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 149 / Monday, August 3, 2020 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 46531]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0329; Product Identifier 2020-NM-028-AD; Amendment
39-19925; AD 2020-12-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, and -
271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that following the
installation of a second cargo fire extinguishing bottle, insufficient
clearance between the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes was
found. This AD requires inspection and modification of the cargo
compartment fire extinguishing pipes, and on-condition actions if
necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 8, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 8,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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 https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0329.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0329; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223;
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0279R1, dated February 5, 2020
(``EASA AD 2019-0279R1'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -216, -231, -232, -
233, -251N, and -271N airplanes.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus SAS
Model A320-214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, and -271N airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2020 (85 FR 20209).
The NPRM was prompted by a report that following the installation of a
second cargo fire extinguishing bottle, insufficient clearance between
the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes was found. The NPRM
proposed to require an inspection and modification of the cargo
compartment fire extinguishing pipes, and on-condition actions if
necessary, as specified in an EASA AD.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address insufficient clearance
between the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes, which could
lead to wear and chafing of the pipes and possibly result in reduced
fire extinguishing capability in case of a cargo compartment fire. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these
minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0279R1 describes procedures for an inspection and
modification of the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes,
including installing a clamp, checking the distance between the pipes,
and accomplishing on-condition actions including adjusting the screws
and pipes and installing a spacer between the two pipes.
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.
[[Page 46532]]
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 368 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 $103 Up to $358................ Up to $131,744.
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The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified
in this AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2020-12-16 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19925; Docket No. FAA-2020-0329;
Product Identifier 2020-NM-028-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective September 8, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A320-214, -216, -231, -232,
-233, -251N, and -271N airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0279R1, dated February 5, 2020 (``EASA AD 2019-0279R1'').
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
protection.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that following the installation
of a second cargo fire extinguishing bottle, insufficient clearance
between the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes was found.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address insufficient clearance between
the cargo compartment fire extinguishing pipes, which could lead to
wear and chafing of the pipes and possibly result in reduced fire
extinguishing capability in case of a cargo compartment fire.
(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 2019-0279R1.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0279R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0279R1 refers to ``the effective date of
the original issue of [AD 2019-0279]'' or ``the effective date of
this revised AD,'' this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0279R1 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 local Flight
Standards District 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: [email protected]. 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.
(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): For any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2019-0279R1 that contains RC procedures and
tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC
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
[[Page 46533]]
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 Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3223; email [email protected].
(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 2019-0279R1,
dated February 5, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0279R1, contact the EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
89990 6017; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu.
You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0329.
(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
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on June 19, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16728 Filed 7-31-20; 8:45 am]
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