[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5297-5299]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02352]

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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. 83, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 7, 2018 /
Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0069; Product Identifier 2013-NM-090-AD; Amendment
39-19181; AD 2018-03-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-19-28,
which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -
342 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. AD
2005-19-28 required repetitive inspections for cracks in the aft face
of the rear spar at the area adjacent to the bolt holes and the end of
the build slot, and repair if necessary. AD 2005-19-28 also provided an
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD
was prompted by the results of a new fatigue and damage tolerance
assessment, which determined that several compliance thresholds and
intervals needed to be reduced. This AD requires contacting the FAA to
obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these
products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. We are
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 22, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 26, 2018.

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.

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-2018-
0069; or in person at the Docket Operations office 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 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax: 425-
227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    As described in FAA Advisory Circular 120-104 (http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/120-104.pdf), several programs
have been developed to support initiatives that will ensure the
continued airworthiness of aging airplane structure. The last element
of those initiatives is the requirement to establish a limit of
validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the structural
maintenance program under 14 CFR 26.21. This AD is the result of an
assessment of the previously established programs by the design
approval holder (DAH) during the process of establishing the LOV for
the affected airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are necessary
to complete certain programs to ensure the continued airworthiness of
aging airplane structure and to support an airplane reaching its LOV.
    We issued AD 2005-19-28, Amendment 39-14293 (70 FR 57493, October
3, 2005) (``AD 2005-19-28''), which applied to certain Airbus Model
A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and
A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2005-19-28 was prompted by a report that,
during fatigue tests of the wing, cracks were found in the vertical web
of the rear spar between ribs 1 and 2 having initiated at the build
slot. AD 2005-19-28 required repetitive inspections for cracks in the
aft face of the rear spar at the area adjacent to the bolt holes and
the end of the build slot, and repair if necessary. AD 2005-19-28 also
provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
We issued AD 2005-19-28 to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the
vertical web of the wing rear spar, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the wing.
    Since we issued AD 2005-19-28, a new fatigue and damage tolerance
assessment was done, taking into account airplane utilization and
widespread fatigue damage analysis. This analysis led to the
determination that several compliance thresholds and intervals needed
to be reduced. We have also determined that the unsafe condition is not
applicable to Airbus Model A330-341 airplanes.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2013-0101, dated April 30, 2013 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -
322, and -342 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During wing fatigue test, a crack was detected which propagated
from the tip of the build slot in the vertical web of the wing inner
rear spar between rib 1 and 2.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
reduced structural integrity of the wing.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, [Direction
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile] DGAC France issued AD
2001-268(B)R1 and AD 2001-269(B) [which correspond to FAA AD 2005-
19-28] to

require repetitive High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections of
the aft face of the inner rear spar web in the area adjacent to the
outboard end of the build slot and, depending of findings, repair of
the inner rear spar web.
    Since these [DGAC France] ADs were issued, in the frame of a new
fatigue and damage tolerance evaluation, taking into account
aeroplane utilization and Widespread Fatigue Damage (WFD) analysis,
the thresholds and intervals of the affected inspections have been
reassessed. This reassessment led to the amendment of several
thresholds and to the reduction of inspection intervals to allow
timely detection of cracks and to the accomplishment of applicable
corrective actions. EASA issued AD 2013-0092, which retained the
requirements of DGAC France AD 2001-268(B)R1 and AD 2001-269(B),
which were superseded, but required those actions within the new
thresholds and intervals.
    Since issuance of EASA AD 2013-0092, it has been discovered that
certain A330 aeroplanes, incorporating another modification in
production, must be excluded from the Applicability. In addition, it
has been found necessary to clarify that for the initial inspection,
the previous thresholds (to be counted from aeroplane first flight)
or intervals, as required by [DGAC France] AD 2001-268(B)R1 and
[DGAC France] AD 2001-269(B), cannot be exceeded.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD partially
retains the requirements of EASA AD 2013-0092, which is superseded,
and introduces the changes as outlined above.

    You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0069.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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. We are
issuing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of these same type designs.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, we
find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are unnecessary. In addition, for the reason(s) stated above, we find
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite 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-2018-0069; Product
Identifier 2013-NM-090-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. This AD
requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the
unsafe condition, and doing the actions specified in those
instructions. Based on the actions specified in the MCAI AD, we are
providing the following cost estimates for an affected airplane that is
placed on the U.S. Register in the future:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                      Labor cost           Parts cost              Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HFEC inspection [retained action  4 work-hours x $85 per                $0  $340 per inspection cycle.
 from AD 2005-19-28 with reduced   hour = $340 per
 threshold and intervals].         inspection cycle.
Modification [retained action     153 work-hours x $85 per               0  $13,005.
 from AD 2005-19-28].              hour = $13,005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition
repairs that would be required based on the results of the required
actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per
              Action                        Labor cost                     Parts cost                 product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair [retained action from AD     85 work-hours x $85 per     Unavailable.....................          $7,225
 2005-19-28].                        hour = $7,225.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We acknowledge that since the above actions are retained from AD
2005-19-28, but with reduced threshold and intervals, operators would
essentially revise their maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate the reduced threshold and intervals. We
estimate the revision to an operator's maintenance and inspection
program would take approximately 1 work-hour x $85 per hour.

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)
2005-19-28, Amendment 39-14293 (70 FR 57493, October 3, 2005), and
adding the following new AD:

2018-03-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-19181; Docket No. FAA-2018-0069;
Product Identifier 2013-NM-090-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 22, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2005-19-28, Amendment 39-14293 (70 FR 57493,
October 3, 2005) (``AD 2005-19-28'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 airplanes, all
manufacturers serial numbers, except those on which Airbus
modification 42547 or 44599 has been embodied in production.
    (2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes,
all manufacturer serial numbers, except those on which Airbus
modification 42547 or 41300 has been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that, during fatigue tests of
the wing, cracks were found in the vertical web of the rear spar
between ribs 1 and 2 having initiated at the build slot, and a
determination that several compliance thresholds and intervals need
to be reduced. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue
cracking in the vertical web of the wing rear spar, which could
result in reduced structural integrity of the wing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Action(s)

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, request
instructions from the Manager, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, to address the unsafe condition specified in
paragraph (e) of this AD; and accomplish the action(s) at the times
specified in, and in accordance with, those instructions. Guidance
can be found in Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0101, dated
April 30, 2013.

(h) 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 (i)(2) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2013-0101, dated April 30, 2013, for
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2018-0069.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356;
telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 26, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02352 Filed 2-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40152-40153]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17953]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP17-484-000]

Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America LLC; Notice of Amendment

    Take notice that on August 1, 2017, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of
America LLC (Natural), at 3250 Lacey Road, Downers Grove, IL 60615,
filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the above
referenced docket a petition to amend its certificate of public
convenience and necessity in Docket No. CP11-547-000 for its 2012
Storage Optimization Project. Natural proposes to change the abandon of
certain facilities at Compressor Station 310 (CS 310) located in
Clinton County, Illinois, and Compressor Station 311 (CS 311) located
in Piatt County, Illinois. Natural proposes to retain certain
compressor units at CS 310 and CS 311 to reserve as redundant
compression. These reserve units will only run if other units at these
stations experience mechanical problems. Natural has previously
received authority to abandon these units in place. Natural's filing is
on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. Any
questions regarding this petition to amend should be directed Bruce H.
Newsome, Vice President, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America LLC,
3250 Lacey Road, Suite 700, Downers Grove, IL 60515, or by calling
(630)725-3070 (telephone<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission's rules, 18 CFR 157.9,
within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will either:
Complete its environmental analysis (EA) and place it into the
Commission's public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding, or issue a
Notice of Schedule for

Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review
is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated
date for the Commission staff's issuance of the EA for this proposal.
The filing of the EA in the Commission's public record for this
proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule will serve to notify
federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all
necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal
authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission
staff's EA.
    There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of
this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by
becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or
before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, a
motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or
385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person
obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by
the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all
documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must
submit 5 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a
copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only
parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders
in the proceeding.
    However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have
comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with
the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and
two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project.
The Commission will consider these comments in determining the
appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will
not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's
rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project
provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly
involved in the protest.
    Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of
this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments
to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be
placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive
copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings
associated with the Commission's environmental review process.
Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed
documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will
not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by
the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents
issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court
review of the Commission's final order.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments,
protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the eFiling link at
http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should
submit an original and 7 copies of the protest or intervention to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington,
DC 20426.
    Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 8, 2017.

    Dated: August 18, 2017.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-17953 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P