[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79742-79745]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32082]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7526; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-217-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by the discovery of corroded circlips in fuel vent
protectors (FVP) having a certain part number. This proposed AD would
require an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of
the FVP, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct corroded circlips. Corroded circlips could lead to
failure of the circlips and consequent movement of the FVP, resulting
in a reduction of the flame protector capability of the FVP cartridge,
which could result in damage to the airplane in case of lightning
impact or fire on the ground.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8,
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_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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-2015-
7526; 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_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

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-2015-7526;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-217-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 2014-0234R1, dated December 11, 2014 (referred
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    On each aeroplane wing, a NACA [National Advisory committee for
Aeronautics] duct assembly is installed, including a Fuel Vent
Protector (FVP) which is used as flame arrestor. This FVP is
maintained in its NACA duct assembly by a circlip (also known as C-
clip). Following a wing water pressure test, the FVP is removed and
dried with heat. During an inspection after this test, several
circlips were reported to be discoloured. Investigation revealed
that a batch of circlips fitted on some FVP Part Number (P/N)
786073-1-0 have an increased risk of corrosion due to a
manufacturing quality issue.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
circlip failure and consequent FVP movement, reducing the flame
protector capability of the FVP cartridge, possibly resulting in
damage to the aeroplane in case of lightning impact or fire on
ground.
    For the reason described above, EASA issued AD 2014[dash]0234 to
require identification by serial number (s/n) of the affected FVP P/
N 786073-1-0 and removal from service [and replacement with a
serviceable part].
    This [EASA] AD is revised to clarify that only maintenance
records since August 2012 should be consulted to demonstrate, as
required by paragraph (2), that not replacement FVP has been
installed.

    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-2015-
7526.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1221, dated July 21,
2014. The service information describes procedures for inspecting the
FVP to determine the part number, and replacing the FVP if necessary.
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 of this NPRM.

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 7 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Parts would cost $25,640. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be up to $182,455, or $26,065 per product.

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

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):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2015-7526; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
217-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1),
(c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category,
all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115,-131, -132,
and -133 airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231,
and -232 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of corroded circlips in
fuel vent protectors (FVP) having a certain part number. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct corroded circlips. Corroded
circlips could lead to failure of the circlips and consequent
movement of the FVP, resulting in a reduction of the flame protector
capability of the FVP cartridge, which could result in damage to the
airplane in case of lightning impact or fire on the ground.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of FVP and Corrective Action

    For airplanes having a manufacturer serial number specified in
figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD: At the earliest of
the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this
AD, do an inspection to determine the part number and serial number
of the FVP. If the FVP has part number (P/N) 786073-1-0 with a
serial number that is specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (g) and
(i) of this AD, and the FVP is not marked ``Amdt B,'' replace the
FVP with a serviceable part, at the earliest of the times specified
in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-28-1221, dated July 21, 2014. A review of airplane maintenance
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number
and serial number of the FVP can be conclusively determined from
that review.

          Figure 1 to Paragraphs (g) and (i) of This AD--Affected Airplane Manufacturer Serial Numbers
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5438....................................  5461......................  5485 through 5488                     5536
                                                                       inclusive.
5441....................................  5463......................  5490 through 5493                     5539
                                                                       inclusive.
5444....................................  5464......................  5495 through 5505                     5541
                                                                       inclusive.
5445....................................  5469......................  5507 through 5515                     5544
                                                                       inclusive.
5447....................................  5473 through 5478           5517......................            5547
                                           inclusive.
5457....................................  5481......................  5518......................            5551
5459....................................  5482......................  5520 through 5527                     5553
                                                                       inclusive.
5460....................................  5483......................  5530......................            5556
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 Figure 2 to Paragraphs (g) and (i) of This AD--Affected Serial Numbers
                       for Part Number 786073-1-0
                    [Manufactured during August 2012]
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Serial number 786073IN0xxxx (xxxx indicates the last four digits)
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     3752         3821         3868        3911        3966        4010
     3753         3826         3871        3914        3967        4011
     3754         3827         3874        3922        3969        4013
     3755         3829         3877        3925        3971        4017
     3756         3830         3878        3927        3972        4019
     3757         3833         3882        3930        3977        4023
     3758         3834         3893        3937        3978        4024
     3759         3836         3897        3938        3980        4025
     3760         3839         3898        3940        3981        4026
     3761         3840         3899        3945        3982        4039
     3787         3848         3900        3946        3983        4048
     3788         3849         3901        3947        3984        4065
     3810         3850         3904        3948        3985        4066
     3812         3851         3905        3951        3986        4068
     3814         3853         3906        3961        3987        4070
     3817         3859         3907        3962        3996        4184
     3819         3860         3908        3964        3997        4187
     3820         3867         3910        3965        4009        None
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(h) Compliance Times for the Requirements of Paragraph (g) of This AD

    Do the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the
earliest of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and
(h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Before the accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles after
the date of manufacture of the airplane.
    (2) Before the accumulation of 7,500 total flight hours after
the date of manufacture of the airplane.
    (3) Within 30 months after the date of manufacture of the
airplane.

(i) Exclusion From Actions Required by Paragraph (g) of This AD

    An airplane that does not have a manufacturer serial number
specified in figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD is
excluded from the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, provided
that, a FVP having P/N 786073-1-0 with a serial number specified in
figure 2 to paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD has not been installed
on that airplane after July 2012. If a FVP having P/N 786073-1-0
with a serial number specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (g) and (i)
of this AD is installed, or the serial number cannot be identified:
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the
FVP with a serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1221, dated July 21,
2014. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable if it
can be conclusively determined from that review that a FVP having a
serial number specified in figure 2 to paragraphs (g) and (i) of
this AD has not been installed on that airplane after July 2012.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, a FVP having P/N 786073-1-0
and a serial number listed in figure 2 to paragraphs (g) and (i) of
this AD may be installed on any airplane, provided the FVP is marked
with ``Amdt B.''

(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: Sanjay
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>. Information may be
emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0234R1, dated December 11,
2014, 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-2015-7526.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32082 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 27366]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12619]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Special
Awareness Training for the Washington DC Metropolitan Area

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information
collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following collection of information was
published on April 3, 2018. This collection of information is required
of persons who must receive training and testing in order to fly within
60 nautical miles (NM) of the Washington, DC omni-directional range/
distance measuring equipment (DCA VOR/DME).

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by July 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be
addressed to the attention of the Desk Officer, Department of
Transportation/FAA, and sent via electronic mail to
[email protected], or faxed to<PHONE_NUMBER>, or mailed to
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management
and Budget, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street NW, Washington,
DC 20503.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d)
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of
the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include
your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information
collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Hall at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or by
email at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 2120-0734.
    Title: Special Awareness Training for the Washington DC
Metropolitan Area.
    Form Numbers: There are no FAA forms associated with this
collection.
    Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.
    Background: The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment
period soliciting comments on the following collection of information
was published on April 3, 2018 (83 FR 14310). No public comments were
received. The collection of information is solicited by the FAA in
order to maintain a National database registry for those persons who
are required to receive training and be tested for flying in the
airspace that is within 60 NM of the DCA VOR/DME. This National
database registry provides the FAA with information on how many persons
and the names of those who have completed this training.
    Respondents: Approximately 366 pilots.
    Frequency: Information is collected on occasion.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 122 hours.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 6, 2018.
Barbara Hall,
FAA Information Collection Clearance Officer, IT Enterprises Business
Services Division, ASP-110.
[FR Doc. 2018-12619 Filed 6-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P