AD 2019-19-06

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, -323, and -343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that cracks have been found within the ring gears of the slat geared rotary actuators (SGRAs) due to a change in the manufacturing process and inadequate post-production non-destructive testing for potential cracking. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of the SGRAs, and replacement of each affected SGRA 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.

Final rule.

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):

2019-19-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19742; Docket No. FAA-2019-0498; Product Identifier 2019-NM-073-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective November 5, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, -323, and -343 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019- 0093, dated April 26, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0093'').

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flightcontrol.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a report that cracks have been found within the ring gears of the slat geared rotary actuators (SGRAs) due to a change in the manufacturing process and inadequate post- production non-destructive testing for potential cracking. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of an SGRA, which, in combination with an independent failure on the second SGRA of the same slat surface, could lead to an uncontrolled movement of the affected slat surface in flight, or detachment of the slat surface, and could possibly result in damage to the stabilizers and reduced controllability 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 2019-0093. All provisions specified in EASA AD 2019-0093 apply inthis AD.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0093

(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0093 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0093 does not apply to this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although EASA AD 2019-0093 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) 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 (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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, International Section, Transport Standards 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 2019-0093 that contains RC procedures and tests: Except as required by paragraph (j)(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 airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax: 206-231-3229.

(l) 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 2019-0093, dated April 26, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0093, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 89990 6017; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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, Transport Standards 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 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2019-0498.
(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 thismaterial at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Discussion

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0093, dated April 26, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0093'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, - 323, and -343 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 A330-202, -243, -243F, -302, -323, and -343 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2019 (84 FR 31772). The NPRM was prompted by a report that cracks have been found within the ring gears of the SGRAs due to a change in the manufacturing process and inadequate post-production non-destructive testing for potential cracking. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number and serial number ofthe SGRAs, and replacement of each affected SGRA with a serviceable part.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of an SGRA, which, in combination with an independent failure on the second SGRA of the same slat surface, could lead to an uncontrolled movement of the affected slat surface in flight, or detachment of the slat surface, and could possibly result in damage to the stabilizers and reduced controllability of the airplane. 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 2019-0093 describes procedures for an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of the SGRAs, and replacement of each affected part 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up $0 Up to $170................ Up to $340.
to $170. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on- condition action that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up to 15 work-hours x $85 per (*) Up to $1,275.*
hour = Up to $1,275. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.
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

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Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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.